Classic country tones and relaxing times are the guarantee of recent Willie Nelson releases. His continued contemporary relevancy comes not from covering the greats of the country scene, in this case Merle Haggard, but in how Nelson explores material from every genre. Last Leaf on the Tree had him tackle everyone from Tom Waits to The Flaming Lips, and with a refined focus on just one artist, Nelson lends his voice to a worthy peer. Workin’ Man: Willie Sings Merle is a delightful listen, not just for those seasoned listeners who will have dug deep into the discography of the Across the Borderline songwriter, but for newcomers wanting to understand Nelson’s grasp of other artists’ work. Consistency is a skill, and while many may note Nelson’s age, it should be no surprise the man who has released an album in just about every sub-genre of country imaginable is competent when it comes to covering other artists.
He shares just why he will continue on covering and creating on opening song, Workin’ Man Blues. Nelson will carry on creating so long as his hands allow. He may be singing of physical labour and being a member of a crew, but there’s a wonderful overlap Nelson has tapped into here between the blood, sweat, and tears of labour and creative processes. Catchy, vibrant country songs with a heart to them that beats on through the whole album. It’s a nice, easy-going listen but Nelson has found the fine line between catchy calmness and consistent, creative pushes. Nelson is of a vintage which makes most of his contemporary material a pleasure to connect with. But move beyond the satisfaction of hearing a legend of the game still hard at work, there are others in that same bracket from this year. Mavis Staples is still plugging away with soulful, wonderful work. So too is Nelson, and the sooner we get over the surprise of this consistency, the sooner we can connect with songs like Silver Wings, a delightful cover.
Crucial to Workin’ Man: Willie Sings Merle is that it never feels like a tribute. It would be all too easy to ride that tenderness, that tone of presenting love for a late artist. Nelson works hard to bring new details out of great songs like Today I Started Loving You Again and Okie from Muskogee. The latter has a wonderful harmonica and piano blur to it which brings out a fresh layer for the song. It’s what Nelson remains brilliant at, and though many may be hoping for original material from the master country star, his covers are delightful. It’s a fine line finding a fresh sound in songs already of the country genre, but Nelson perseveres, inevitably so. He adapts songs from other genres into the country tone brilliantly and brings a new life to those staggering classics. Those songs from Haggard are detailed well here.
Somewhere Between give listeners that perfect balance between Nelson’s still strong vocal work and the beauty of a stripped-back instrumental. It’s a tremendously affecting song, a moving classic with all those delicate notes brought about with such natural charm. Workin’ Man: Willie Sings Merle is an exceptional collection of songs with a familiar voice tackling the nuances of all those beautiful, honest words. Sweet and catchy efforts from Nelson should never be taken for granted, but he has a tremendous ability to release these strong offerings with such consistency and frequency that it’s hard to keep up. His Haggard covers come from a place of love, and that much can be heard in the likes of If We Make it Through December and Ramblin’ Fever. That latter track may hear Nelson denounce hearing the same old song, but he adds enough throughout Workin’ Man: Willie Sings Merle to give them a refreshing, new sound.
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