As a Nashville artist in the '60s, Willie Nelson himself penned more than a few tunes that have arguably become American classics themselves, including "Crazy," "Night Life" and the sublime "Funny How Time Slips Away." But that was just the prologue for the iconoclastic singer-songwriter, who would redraw the borders of country music in the '70s after moving back to Texas and settling in the musical melting pot of Austin.

Along with fellow traveler Waylon Jennings, Nelson was labeled the outlaw of the genre, but he was more visionary than rebel, especially with the way he attracted rock fans to take a closer look at country. He was celebrated for his work with his buddies like Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson, but scaled even greater chart heights by singing, improbably enough, with Julio Iglesias ("To All the Girls I Loved Before"). Along with Marsalis, recent cohorts have included Western swing band Asleep at the Wheel and reggae icon Ziggy Marley.

The title of Willie Nelson's newest solo debut on Blue Note Records, American Classic, refers as much to the man himself as to the storied Tin Pan Alley repertoire he explores on this elegant new set. While it's common now for mature pop artists to attempt to put their own stamp on the American Songbook, Nelson practically invented the approach. He set the standard for, well, playing the standards more than thirty years ago with Stardust, perhaps this "outlaw" entertainer's most daring move, an album that many industry pundits thought would get him laughed off the charts and out of the biz.

Fans around the world know that the adventurous Nelson can sing just about anything—and with just about anyone he pleases. As he sees it, "The more songs you know, the more musicians you listen to, the more writers you hear, the better equipped you are to decide where you want to go next. That's why I want to listen to everyone and everything and then decide which way I want to go. Then, of course, I might change my mind and go in an entirely different direction. But at least I have all these options."

On American Classic, he's joined, on vocals and piano, by Diana Krall in an intimate rendition of "If I Had You" that feels more like pillow talk than mere wishful thinking. ("It came off so well—she's so smooth and her piano playing is the best," praises Nelson.) He also duets with Norah Jones, countering playful protestations with romantic persuasion on Frank Loesser's "Baby It's Cold Outside." ("That particular song has a lot of meaning for me," Nelson admits, "and it's obvious that I enjoy singing with her.") Backing musicians include such notable jazzmen as pianist Joe Sample, bassist Christian McBride, Krall guitarist Anthony Wilson, and drummer Lewis Nash; Nelson's longtime sidekick Mickey Raphael, his memorable co-star on Two Men with the Blues, plays harmonica, adding evocative, bluesy inflections to "Angel Eyes" and "Since I Fell For You."

If you missed him last year, don't miss your chance this year, to see Willie Nelson, LIVE at the Sunrise Theatre, Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 7 PM!