Track Listing

1. It Always Will Be
2. Picture In A Frame
3. The Way You See Me
4. Be That As It May
5. You Were It
6. Big Booty
7. I Didn't Come Here (And I Ain't Leavin')
8. My Broken Heart Belongs To You
9. Dreams Come True
10. Overtime
11. Tired
12. Love's The One And Only Thing
13. Texas
14. Midnight Rider

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24056 in Music
• Released on: 2004-10-25
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds
• Running time: 52 minutes

CD Description
Even as he edged towards age 70, Willie Nelson remained a dazzlingly prolific artist, releasing live albums, theme-based collections, archival recordings, and more, all at a dizzying clip. Nevertheless, a proper studio album of new material from an artist of his stature, particularly on the prestigious imprint Lost Highway, remained an event even in 2004. Curiously, the man who made his road band the backbone of hismusic for so long elected to use a cast of familiar Nashville studio players for IT ALWAYS WILL BE, but they serve him well on an understated set of the old, new, borrowed, and blue.
Tom Waits's spare, romantic ballad "Picture in a Frame" is a natural for Willie, as is the Jimmy Day chestnut "The Way You See Me". Nelson also picks up the thread of his preceding OUTLAWS & ANGELS live album by including some all-star duets, such as the misty ballad "Dreams Come True" with Norah Jones, and the yearning "Overtime" with the song's author, Lucinda Williams. Proving himself far from finished as asongwriter, Willie throws in a couple of new tunes from hisown pen, and it all adds up to an agreeable mixed bag on ITALWAYS WILL BE.

Customer Reviews

It Always Was, Wille!
Oh, Willie Nelson, how I love your voice! The smooth lyrics, gravelly voice and emotion emanating from each song are the essence of a true artist. We hear more true feelings from Willie's voice than almost any other recording artist. We know he is there, singing from his heart. We appreciate Willie Nelson more each day.

"It Always Will Be" is the CD that tops Willie's long career. He has a mix of old time and new time and future time. The title song is a ballad in the true Willie style and will be sung again and again. It resonates like his popular song"You Are Always On My Mind". Tom Waits song "Picture In A Frame" is memorable from Willie's style. And what a treat to have Tom Waits music sung by our Willie. "Dreams Come True" sung with Norah Jones will be a favorite, as it is mine. Willie discovered Norah's voice and mixed it in with the new country that is Willie. "Overtime" sung with Lucinda Williams is one of my favorite songs on this CD. Lovely melody and the duo of Lucinda and Willie bring chills. "Tired" from Toby Keith is as country as they come. "Texas" is my favorite song- it sounds like Willie of old days; it has that lilting melody we love. "Midnight Rider" with Toby Keith is the true country western song with the guitars twanging and boots stomping. What a treat!

Willie Nelson is a treasure... He has become our voice of country. A talented writer and extraordinary voice mixed with his "outlaw' nature and you have a true American Icon.
This CD is one to be remembered and treasured along with Willie.
Highly Recommended.

At the Top of his Game
"It Always Will Be" is the CD right toward the top Willie's career thus far and the title song is just perfect for his voice. The title track is a classic Willie Nelson ballad in the tradition of some of his greatest tunes of the past and is sure to join them. This ballad will probably become his second most famous song. When he sings a ballad you can feel the emotion come through the speakers and fill the room. You know he wrote the song from personal experience and his singing tells us he wishes to share that experience with us. He has shown us his talent is still in top form. This free spirited American Icon seems to have a great CD on his hands. I recommend it.

Should be on the NHS
Willie review #1:

I,ve never written a Willie review before and am not sure whether I should apply different criteria to septegenrians. Whatever I'll have whatever Willie's smokin these days because it obviously works. Another year - in this case 2004- another blinder of an album. The issue of duets always seems to bring me out in hives but Willie can generally pick em. I take it that he makes everyone fill out a questionnaire, the first question being "can you keep up with me". On this CD Norah Jones again shows (surprisingly) just what a good singer she is. Similar in tone to her duet with Ray Charles she pulls it off with grace (ooerr missus). Willie inhabits songs like warm jumpers although I doubt if Willie has ever had to wear one in Texas. The title track is a masterpiece of languidity (good word for Willie - along with lagubriety).

At this price you would be daft to miss out - a class act.

I commend this CD to the house.