That Willie Nelson, at 80 years of age, is still recording and touring should be cause enough for celebration. The continued high standard of his recorded output, however, is testament to his dogged determination and creativity as a performer, writer and interpreter.
His latest project, as the title suggests, finds him teaming up with a stellar cast of female (mainly) country vocalists. More than one observer has joked that finding singers Willie Nelson hasn’t already duetted with can’t be easy! With 18 tracks, there’s certainly lots to take in and like most of these affairs it’s a mixed bag. There are some standout performances, lots of decent ones and a couple that are strictly forgettable.
The best include duets with Emmylou Harris on Springsteen’s Ghost of Tom Joad-era ‘Dry Lightening’, with Dolly Parton on her own song, ‘From Here To The Moon And Back’, a lovely rendition of Kris Kristofferson’s ‘Please Don’t Tell Me How The Story Goes’ with Rosanne Cash, and a stunning torch ballad, ‘Far Away Places’, with Sheryl Crow. Also well worth hearing is Merle Haggard’s ‘Somewhere Between’, sung here with the great Loretta Lynn, while another highlight, the Bill Withers classic ‘Grandma’s Hands’, finds him sparring with yet another legend, Mavis Staples.
He revisits his own hit ‘Always On My Mind’ on a decent version with Carrie Underwood; elsewhere an arrangement of Credence Clearwater Revival’s ‘Have You Ever Seen The Rain’ finds him harmonising with daughter Paula Nelson. Other highlights include the Western swing tune ‘Till The End of The World’ (with Shelby Lynne) and a poignant ‘Walking’ featuring the smooth-voiced Norah Jones. As pick’n’mixes go this is a treat...

Key Track:'Grandma's Hands'