In truth, Willie Nelson did not make any real impact as a singer until the mid seventies (and it was the eighties before Britain took him seriously), but this brand new compilation of his renditions of songs from Gershwin is yet another might fine feather in his cap of musical accomplishments.

Indeed, Willie Nelson's new album of pop standards, Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin penned, of course by America's legendary songwriting duo George and Ira Gershwin, follows the selection of Willie as the 2015 recipient of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

Among the 11 Gershwin classics recorded by Willie Nelson for his new album are two duets: 'Let's Call The Whole Thing Off' with Cyndi Lauper (the song was originally introduced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in the 1937 film Shall We Dance) and 'Embraceable You' with Sheryl Crow (the song was performed by Ginger Rogers in Girl Crazy, recorded by Billie Holiday in 1944 and inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2005).

On an album that most definitely hearkens back to Stardust, the 1978 blockbuster album of pop standards that secured Willie's reputation as pop balladeer (in addition to his status as one of the architects of outlaw country music), we begin with 'But Not For You,' and breeze seamlessly into 'Somebody Loves Me,' 'Someone To Watch Over Me,' and the aforementioned duet with Cyndi Lauper on 'Let's Call The Whole Thing Off.'

Next up is the brilliant 'It Ain't Necessarily So,' the passion of 'I Got Rhythm, ' 'Love Is Here To Stay,' and then the quite stunning 'They All Laughed.' His aforementioned duet with Sheryl Crow, 'Embraceable You' is next, and then the finest of fine albums is brought to a close with both the smokey country/R&B tone of 'They Can't Take That Away From Me' and then the irresistible title track itself, 'Summertime.'

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