Willie Nelson Shares “A Beautiful Time” — The Album Review

Willie Nelson turned 89 years old, but we’re the ones who got the gift. He used the occasion to release a new record: “A Beautiful Time.” It’s astonishing for any recording artist to make 72 solo albums, but even more remarkable is the consistency of quality Nelson achieves. It’s without peer.

Back as producer is Willie’s friend and regular songwriting partner Buddy Cannon. The title of this record is fitting. Listening is a beautiful time from beginning to end. It’s one of the best Willie Nelson records of the last 10 years, which is saying a lot given his bountiful output.

“A Beautiful Time” finds Willie at his most pensive, but also full of his trademark witticisms. What always enthralls me about Willie Nelson’s records is how he marries his original songs with songs from other writers that resonate with him. The songs form a cohesive sojourn.

A Willie Nelson record is like life. It’s got some smiles, but there’s going to be some tears too. True to the title, the songs come back to one of Nelson’s favorite subjects: the nature of time. And yes, the inevitably of time slipping away.

I’d love to share with you some of the vantage points on “A Beautiful Time,” released on April 29, 2022 on Legacy Recordings. I hope you’re up for it.