It Will Always Be

On his millionth album (or does it just feel that way?), Willie Nelson teams with a new band -- except for Family Band harmonicat Mickey Raphael -- and duets with some major leaguers. Most of the time, It Always Will Be feels like a Willie album of old. Recorded for the Lost Highway label and produced by James Stroud in Nash Vegas, it's an inspired collection of fine songs for the most part, and Nelson is in fine voice with the edges beginning to show just a tiny bit. He wrote the title cut, one of the strongest here. Lyrically, it's tender without being overly sentimental, sweet without being saccharine, and delivered with his trademark elegance and grace. Thom Jurek -- All Music Guide