Willie Nelson pays tender tribute to Sinatra on ‘My Way’

Willie Nelson performs in Austin, Texas, in 2011.Photo: Erich Schlegel / Associated Press 2011

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It’s no secret Willie Nelson has always counted Frank Sinatra as his favorite singer. On his latest album, the 85-year-old country music icon lends his honeyed voice to a set of songs made famous by the late pop crooner, putting his gentle twang on classics like “Summer Wind,” “I’ll Be Around” and “What Is This Thing Called Love,” which features a guest spot by Norah Jones.

Like his 1978 covers collection, “Stardust,” the follow-up to “Last Man Standing,” which was released earlier this year, is straightforward and tender. While Nelson doesn’t skimp on the rich arrangements, he does carry these black-tux standards down to Earth, taking them back to the dusty Texas honky-tonks and dance halls where he got his start.

WILLIE NELSON
“MY WAY”
LEGACY RECORDINGS

  • Aidin Vaziri
    Aidin VaziriAidin Vaziri is The San Francisco Chronicle’s pop music critic. Email: avaziri@sfchronicle.com