Ever since 1978's
Stardust, standards albums have been part of
Willie Nelson's arsenal, but 2018's
My Way presents a twist on this shopworn tradition: it's designed as a tribute to
Frank Sinatra. Album-long tributes to
Sinatra aren't uncommon --
Bob Dylan devoted much of the 2010s to recording a series of tributes to him -- but
My Way stands apart from the pack by capturing both the rakish charm of the Chairman of the Board and
Nelson's sly elegance.
Nelson balances standards from the Great American Songbook ("A Foggy Day," "Blue Moon," "Night and Day," "Young at Heart") with songs written with
Sinatra in mind ("Fly Me to the Moon," "Summer Wind," "It Was a Very Good Year," "My Way"), which brings
My Way closer to the essence of
Frank Sinatra than
Dylan's stylized saloon records. This is light and breezy, music that suggests the swinging heyday of
Sinatra without ever quite sounding like a dusty old Capitol LP, not even the horns are sighing and blaring. Chalk that up to
Nelson, who sounds limber if a bit scraggly, both in his voice and on his guitar. There's a wry, insouciant charm to his performances: he knows how to ratchet up the drama in "It Was Very Good Year," realizes "My Way" is irresistible hokum, and slides into the calming melody of "Summer Wind." Unlike Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin,
Nelson's limitations aren't a hindrance, and the arrangements aren't excessively polite, which means
My Way is an appealingly light record: it's performed with more affection than reverence. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine