Willie Nelson Workin' Man: Willie Sings Merle
Willie Nelson's Workin' Man: Willie Sings Merle reads like a private tribute recorded in the living room rather than a stadium spectacle, an intimate set of Merle Haggard songs delivered with restraint and affection. Across the collection Willie's low-key phrasing and sparse arrangements place songwriting over ornamentation, and critics point to a handful of clear standouts that prove the concept's worth. The album earned an 80/100 consensus score from one professional review, signaling warm approval for its tasteful approach.
Reviewers consistently praise “Silver Wings” for its matching melancholy and Mickey Raphael's harmonica, “If We Make It Through December” for its surprisingly hopeful, sped-up reading, and “Ramblin' Fever” for the sly, characterful delivery that lets Nelson add personality without overwhelming Merle's originals. Themes of restraint, friendship, tribute, intimacy, and the primacy of songwriting recur across the review, with critics noting that the unfussy, off-the-floor vibe lets Haggard's compositions stand tall while Nelson's charisma quietly reframes them. Production choices are small but meaningful - a raised vocal here, an urgent harmonica there - and they underline the record's intent to honor rather than reinvent.
While the single professional review stops short of calling the project transformative, it frames Workin' Man: Willie Sings Merle as a warm, well-judged homage that highlights both artists' strengths. For those searching for a focused Merle Haggard tribute or wondering what the best songs on Workin' Man: Willie Sings Merle are, “Silver Wings”, “If We Make It Through December” and “Ramblin' Fever” emerge as the must-listen moments. The record sits comfortably in Nelson's catalog as a gentle, sincere nod to friendship and songwriting craft.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
Silver Wings
1 mention
"The iconic violin solo by Scott Joss ... is reinterpreted here on harmonica by The Family’s Mickey Raphael."— Under The Radar
If We Make It Through December
1 mention
"Nelson and his backing band The Family boost the tempo of “If We Make It Through December,” making it sound more hopeful"— Under The Radar
Ramblin' Fever
1 mention
"Nelson all but brays the cuss laden lyrics of the restless road anthem “Ramblin’ Fever.”"— Under The Radar
The iconic violin solo by Scott Joss ... is reinterpreted here on harmonica by The Family’s Mickey Raphael.
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Workin' Man Blues
Silver Wings
Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down
Today I Started Loving You Again
Swinging Doors
Okie from Muskogee
Mama Tried
I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink
Somewhere Between
If We Make It Through December
Ramblin' Fever
What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 2 critics who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
Willie Nelson approaches Workin' Man: Willie Sings Merle like a friend gently retelling a buddy's best stories, and the best songs on the album - “Silver Wings”, “If We Make It Through December”, and “Ramblin' Fever” - show why. Kyle Mullin's ear for small production choices notes how Mickey Raphael's harmonica on “Silver Wings” matches the original's melancholy, and how Nelson's raised vocal on that line brings a brief wailing agony. The sped-up, hopeful take on “If We Make It Through December” and the cheekily-defiant “Ramblin' Fever” capture Willie adding personality without drowning Haggard's songs in studio gloss. Overall the record's unfussy, off-the-floor vibe lets Merle's songwriting stand tall while Nelson's charm colors the highlights.
Key Points
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The best song is "Silver Wings" because Mickey Raphael's harmonica and Nelson's high vocal register recapture and deepen the original's melancholy.
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The album's core strength is its unfussy, off-the-floor production that lets Merle Haggard's songwriting stand while showcasing Nelson's personable interpretations.
Themes
