“Lost Cause” is from Nelson’s upcoming new studio album
Sony Music’s Legacy Recordings has released the third track from Willie Nelson’s anticipated new studio album Last Leaf on the Tree, due November 1st. His 76th solo studio album and 153rd album overall, the album was produced by his son Micah and finds Nelson covering an eclectic collection of songs by rock legends, idiosyncratic singer-songwriters, alt-rock heroes, and indie folk artists, as well as a new recording of Willie’s 1967 song, “The Ghost,” and a new composition by Willie and Micah Nelson.
Taken from the Grammy-winning musician’s 2002 album Sea Change, the song was one of several Beck tunes they considered. “This one’s really like a country song in a way,” Micah says. “It’s this relationship gone south, and just reconciling with all that. It’s a very clear narrative country song, but it’s kind of psychedelic, too.” Upon hearing this new cover of his song, Beck remarked that “Willie’s songs have been my companions for most of my life. I’ve been lucky to get to hang out and sing with him on several occasions over the years,” adding, “There’s no one like him in music and it’s the greatest honor to have him record this song.”
In addition to producing, Micah Nelson played many instruments, designed the album cover, and helped create animation for the video of the album’s first single, a cover of Tom Waits’ “Last Leaf” alongside his wife, Alexandra Dascalu Nelson. Willie plays his trusty guitar Trigger throughout and the two are joined by a host of celebrated musicians plus guest spots from legendary producer and musician Daniel Lanois, John Densmore of The Doors, Senegalese musician Magatte Sow on percussion and harmonica master Mickey Raphael, who has played alongside Willie for more than 50 years.
Willie just finished a series of live dates in Texas, including guest performances at the Austin City Limits Festival with Chris Stapleton and Orville Peck. And then this past week, he headlined the 50th anniversary celebration of the Austin City Limits TV show 50 years to the day after performing on the inaugural episode. On November 12th, Willie and his wife, Annie Nelson, will release a cookbook: Willie and Annie Nelson’s Cannabis Cookbook: Mouthwatering Recipes and the High-Flying Stories Behind Them. In this groundbreaking cookbook, Willie and Annie share their favorite cannabis-infused recipes. Drawn from meals enjoyed on nationwide tours, at their ranch, at home, and in their favorite cities, Willie’s personal food-related stories accompany the recipes in this cookbook.
Meanwhile, Particle Kid, aka Micah Nelson, is bringing his experimental, psychedelic, future-folk music on an OctoberQuest. Headlining dates on the West Coast feature songs from his six-album catalog, created visual presentation to accompany the performance, and exclusive merch. Nelson designed different poster art for each show.
