It Always Will Be While Norah and Lucinda sprinkle some duet stardust here on It Always Will Be , this is basically Nelson's first full-on, first-rate solo record in…
Music Review

It Always Will Be

Reviewed by Chris Willman | Nov 05, 2004
Willie Nelson | WHAT WILL BE, 'WILL BE' Nelson embarks on his first solo record in years
Image credit: Willie Nelson: Mark Morrison/Retna
WHAT WILL BE, 'WILL BE' Nelson embarks on his first solo record in years

While Norah and Lucinda sprinkle some duet stardust here on It Always Will Be, this is basically Nelson's first full-on, first-rate solo record in ages. Befitting the title, it has a lovely circular arc, starting off elegiac, working up road-house pep in the middle stretch, and then resettling into pure Zen-acoustic Willie. Standout: ''Tired,'' a working-man's-ennui ballad cowritten by Toby Keith that's so moving the Chicks oughta cover it.

Originally posted Nov 05, 2004 Published in issue #791 Nov 05, 2004 Order article reprints