Hey are you here? It’s The Paul Leslie Hour with a review of Willie Nelson’s seventy ninth studio album. That’s right. Willie Nelson’s 79th LP entitled Dream Chaser, released May 29th, 2026, produced by Buddy Cannon. Hey, it’s out there now. Some of you have heard it, and some of you haven’t. At least not yet.
And again I want this to sink in. Willie Nelson has released 79 solo albums.
What did I think of Dream Chaser? I’m in a state of awe. This is one of my favorite Willie records of the twenty first century releases.
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Examining Willie Nelson’s songwriting and legacy
It’s an immensely big hearted and enjoyable thirty minute ride. Like a lot of you that have been getting into his songwriting from the past twenty years, you’ll discover that Willie is best when writing about a simple subject in a profound way. If we’re talking the records Willie has made since 2000, it’s hard to beat Heroes. But Dream Chaser is pretty special from beginning to end. It had me wondering.
Could Willie Nelson be our greatest contemporary recording artist? I think so. Buddy Cannon, the producer of this album and co-writer of eight of the ten tracks, told me, “Dream Chaser is one of my very favorite albums I’ve done with Willie.” His voice seems more powerful than ever. I’d like to tell you about the best tracks, and I might mention most of them.
The path of a “Dream Chaser”
It seems the opening title track tells a very personal story about a specific dream chaser. I assume it is the story of co-writer Bobby Tomberlin, an Alabama-born country music stalwart who is credited along with Cannon and Willie. It somehow becomes the story of all who pursue a creative path. The line “Truth is I’ve done it all for free” is something so many artists have said.
This same songwriting trio also wrote “We’d Make a Good Movie,” an example of a great song that works in the country music genre but could transcend country. It’s especially fitting because Willie met his wife Annie on the set of a television movie. Stagecoach.
The Bob Dylan co-write and a full circle moment for Buddy Cannon
“I Can’t Read Your Mind,” is quite a confluence of talent. This was written by Willie Nelson, Buddy Cannon, and the great Bob Dylan, if you can believe it. Not the first Bob Dylan Willie Nelson co-write, but the title is similar to to a song written by one of Dylan’s heroes, Gordon Lightfoot. I’m talking about “If You Can Read My Mind.”
This one, “I Can’t Read Your Mind,” has great lyrics and is perhaps a full circle moment for Buddy Cannon. There’s one line in Bob Dylan’s song “Scarlet Town” that is identical to one of the lines in the song “Set ‘Em Up Joe,” which Cannon co-wrote with Vern Gosdin, who recorded it. Many other versions followed. I’d like to ask Buddy Cannon about that song, and perhaps I’ll have a chance someday. Everything has a way of coming around again.
Celebrating traditional country music
“Wonder What I’m Gonna Do” is my favorite song, or maybe one of two favorites from this album. I’m a big fan of songs that expound on something we’ve all said or thought and make it into a story. This song, written by Buddy Cannon and Willie Nelson, is quintessential traditional country. It’s a great vocal from Willie, too.
“Love Overdue” was written by longtime Willie Nelson band harmonica player Mickey Raphael and two other writers, Donald W. Poythress and Anna Lisa Graham. Mickey is apparently as gifted at songwriting as he is playing music. It’s a beauty. Then there’s the pure outpouring of emotion on “I Don’t Think I’ve Cried Today,” written by Cannon, Tomberlin, and Willie. There’s just so many good ones on this album.
The album ends with a classic
And the album ends with my other favorite cut from Dream Chaser. It’s an old song, “Developing My Pictures,” originally recorded by George Jones back in the 60s. Man, it’s such a great one. I think Willie can sing anything, but I do wonder what the process is when Buddy Cannon and Willie go back and consider old material. “Developing My Pictures” was written by Earl “Peanutt” Montgomery, who I would like to interview someday.
A flawless production and Willie Nelson’s musicianship
What else can I say about the album Dream Chaser? It’s a flawless album. I’ve got to mention again Willie’s great singing on this LP and great guitar work. All of the players, producers, and engineers should be very proud of this album.
Willie Nelson now has 79 solo albums to his credit. Then there’s his 26 collaborative albums, and how many live albums? Is that even possible? Of course it is. This is Willie Nelson we’re talking about. If I had to bet, I’d put my money on there being an 80th solo studio album.
What do you think?
Dream Chaser is just thirty minutes long. It’s only been out a few days and I’ve probably listened at least six times through already. Listen to it yourself and be as inspired as I am. Let me know what you think. Have you listened to Dream Chaser? I’d love to know if you have a favorite song or any thoughts you might have. Until next time.
