Willie Nelson is feeling his age. That’s bound to happen to anybody when they reach 87 years old.  The thing is though, he doesn’t sound old. “First Rose of Spring” is his 70^th studio album.. His voice sounds no worse for the wear and the emotion he uses makes this sound like it could be his last album.

Nelson is known for his outlaw country original songs, but most of the tracks here are his interpretations of other artists material. The two songs he wrote for this album set the tone for the rest as he sings of looking back on life and forward to heaven.

Hand picked songs by other artists like Toby Keith and Johnny Paycheck follow the narrative of an artist saying goodbye to loved ones or just enjoying the days he has left in this life.

With a finale that approaches the greatness of Sinatra’s “My Way,” Nelson muses on the past and delivers a subtle but strong delivery with a seriousness not heard on the original. Whatever regrets he may have about his life, this is an album that beautifully sums up his contributions through its achingly sad songs.

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