Last Leaf on the Tree

Nelson's manager Mark Rothbaum first suggested that Micah Nelson should produce an album for his father. Micah Nelson took the minimalist production of Spirit as the starting point for the sound of the album, which was initially conceived as a Tom Waits tribute album before expanding in scope. Last Leaf on the Tree ends with a hidden track, "Looking for Trouble", described by Micah Nelson as "a very unserious moment." ==Critical reception==

Last Leaf on the Tree received positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received a score of 84 out of 100 based on four reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". Tim Cumming at The Arts Desk found Last Leaf on the Tree to be "on a higher level" than Nelson's "excellent" previous album, The Border, praising Nelson's voice and guitar work, the production and choice of material. No Depression concluded that "On Last Leaf on the Tree, Willie Nelson is still doing what he’s always done best: interpreting the songs of others and writing his own memorable melodies."{{cite web |last1=Carrigan |first1=Henry |title=ALBUM REVIEW: On ‘Last Leaf on the Tree’ Willie Nelson Contemplates Still Standing ==Track listing==

Musicians • Aroyn Davis – bass (track 11) • John Densmore – percussion (tracks 1, 2, 6, 9) • Sam Gendel – alto saxophone (tracks 4, 10, 11), recorder (12) • Daniel Lanois – pedal steel guitar (track 13) • Micah Nelson – acoustic guitar (tracks 1–9, 11–13), piano (1–3, 7, 11), surdo (1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11), percussion (1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 11), cello (1, 3, 7, 9, 11), steel guitar (1, 6), background vocals (2, 3, 5–11, 13); bass, drums (2, 3, 5–9, 13); electric guitar (3, 4–7, 9, 11, 13), clapping (4, 8, 10), dulcimer (5), synthesizer (6, 10), slide guitar (8), Mellotron (13) • Willie Nelson – lead vocals, Trigger • Mickey Raphael – harmonica (tracks 1–9, 13), jaw harp (8) • Kevin Smith – double bass (track 1) • Nikita Sorokin – violin (tracks 2, 5, 9), fiddle (8) • Magatte Sow – drums (track 4) • Harlan Steinberger – clapping (track 4) • Jeremy Steinberger – clapping (track 4) Technical • Steve Chadie – recording • Emily Lazar – mastering • Brando Marius – engineering • Micah Nelson – production, mixing, recording, album art • Mickey Raphael – engineering • Harlan Steinberger – mixing, recording • Randi Steinberger – photos ==Charts==