Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson

Moment of Forever

(Lost Highway)

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Willie Nelson and Kenny Chesney “have no business being mentioned in the same breath,” said John Soeder in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Yet the shirtless hunk of a hitmaker, who gave us the timeless “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy,” somehow finagled a producer credit on Nelson’s new album. The elder statesman of country music must have known better, since he had veteran producer Buddy Cannon share the honors. But Chesney’s obnoxiously loud, super-slick ways still come through in the song selection. The odd cover of Big & Rich’s “The Bob Song” plays like a “pirate shanty,” and “Worry B Gone,” a Chesney duet with Nelson, is an “instantly forgettable throwaway.” To his credit, Chesney didn’t give Nelson a complete 21st-century makeover, said Larry Katz in the Boston Herald. The old touch is evident on inspired covers and several strong originals. Nelson “delivers heavy wisdom with a light touch” on Dave Matthews’ “Gravedigger” and gives Randy Newman’s “Louisiana” new relevancy. “Over You Again,” written with sons Lukas and Micah, is an affecting blend of country and blues. Moment of Forever exhibits a “stylistic breadth and lyrical depth” that are characteristic of Nelson’s career, said Howard Cohen in The Miami Herald. Past efforts with younger generations, such as a 2006 collaboration with Ryan Adams, haven’t always measured up. But here Willie proves that this is still a country for old men.