Album Review: Willie Nelson, That’s Life

Most artists issue new albums along with a brief bio detailing the logistics of writing and recording. Willie’s Nelson’s That’s Life, his second covers collection of songs made famous by his old pal Frank Sinatra, comes with a breathless 7,000-word essay from journalist Mikal Gilmore. 

Which is admirable, I guess. Except that the album doesn’t land, and no fancy dissertation, not even one from the gifted Shot in the Heart author, changes the fact that Nelson’s fabulously unmade bed of a voice delivers “That’s Life,” “Luck Be a Lady Tonight” and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” like brittle karaoke, full string section notwithstanding.

As a Nelson fan, it hurts to write that, even if there is obvious novelty in a wizened and thoroughly blunted country crooner taking a stab at chestnuts falling variously into adult-pop and jazz categories. But that’s part of the problem: Nelson sticks too close to the songs’ original sound and vibe, keeping his thumbprint at bay. 

Innovation could have made all the difference, especially with songs that were nearly flawless to start with. Johnny Cash’s oddball run at Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt,” for instance — which he recast as a faintly lit, threadbare dirge — soared because he made it his own and sold it as a codger’s lament. Similar examples abound. A cute, animated video with “I Won’t Dance” duet partner Diana Krall (sigh, Loretta Lynn was too busy?) is adorbs but hardly something I’d rush home to cue up again and again. Sorry, Willie.

Willie Nelson’s That’s Life is released February 26 on Legacy Recordings/Sony
Listen to it here