Willie Nelson, 92, has a history of making entire albums that revive and reimagine the works of single songwriters. And he’s done it again. Nelson just dropped Workin’ Man: Willie Sings Merle, his 78th solo studio album—and his 155th album overall—featuring his versions of the late Merle Haggard’s classics.

Nelson chose 11 of his favorite Haggard hits and made an album that celebrates Haggard’s storied country career. He chose tracks off of Haggard’s first album to reach No. 1 on the country charts, 1966’s Swinging Doors, such as “Swinging Doors” and “Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down.”
He also selected songs from the late ’60s—songs that solidified Haggard’s career like “Mama Tried” and “Okie From Muskogee.” More ’70s and ’80s Haggard classics in Nelson’s new album include “If We Make It Through December,” “Ramblin’ Fever,” and “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink.”

Fans are responding to Nelson’s Instagram announcement saying that the album is “completely Willie’s signature sound, just like he sounds live.”
Nelson and Haggard were longtime friends and collaborators. They released three albums together: 1983’s Pancho and Lefty, 2007’s Last of the Breed, and 2015’s Django and Jimmie.
Nelson recorded Workin’ Man: Willie Sings Merle, produced with Mickey Raphael, at his Pedernales Studios in Austin. It features Raphael on the harmonica; “Sister Bobbie” Nelson on the piano; Kevin Smith on the bass; and Paul English and his brother, Billy English, on the drums. Nelson is, of course, on vocals and Trigger.

After producing the album, Nelson dropped the first single, “Workin’ Man Blues” from Workin’ Man: Willie Sings Merle in September.
Now, the full album is officially available for purchase and streaming. The release comes on the same day that Nelson was nominated for the Grammys’ Best Traditional Country Album.
Fans can flock to Nelson’s official website to snag their Workin’ Man: Willie Sings Merle CD or vinyl. You can also listen to the album on most music streaming services.