Willie Nelson
"God's Problem Child"
(Legacy (ASTERISK)(ASTERISK)(ASTERISK))
Though he seems so supremely chill, Willie Nelson keeps up an incredible pace in his professional life. In addition to the constant touring, the Red-Headed Stranger, who turned 84 last month, has been putting out two albums per year ever since becoming an octogenarian. "God's Problem Child" is different from most because, rather than (brilliantly) interpreting other people's songs, he's back to penning them, with seven new tunes cowritten with Buddy Cannon, with most of their lyric collaboration happening via text message. Nelson's name is in the news whenever he cancels shows, and he makes clever fun of internet rumors of his demise on "Still Not Dead." But joking aside, "God's Problem Child" has a sometimes-sobering air about it, as Nelson takes the measure of serious subjects like "A Woman's Love" and, on the bluesy title cut (featuring Jamey Johnson and Tony Joe White), the inevitability of regret. He's also appreciating his recently deceased pal Merle Haggard on "He Won't Ever Be Gone." Of course, the same could be said of Willie, who thankfully still walks among us.
_Dan DeLuca
