Willie Nelson on what makes a good song, his latest album and Kris Kristofferson

Young musicians looking for longevity would be wise to follow the sensible words of Willie Nelson: do what you think is right, and if you are lucky enough to have a statue built in your honor in your city, remember that it is only what you have.” Every now and then you have to go down and clean off the pigeon shit.”

Nelson, 91, was just released from prison. Last leaf on the treehis second studio album this year, as well as his 76th solo studio album and 153rd album overall, according to Texas Monthly’s titanic ranking of his rich discography.

So how much more is there in it? Nelson says with a laugh, “I don’t know. Hopefully there are a few more.” Maybe he’ll score 200? “Why not!”

Last leaf on the tree this is an album of firsts and acquaintances; This is Nelson’s first album to be produced entirely by his son Micah, and includes several originals and covers from Nelson luminaries such as Neil Young, Nina Simone and Tom Waits, as well as some less-than-obvious inclusions such as a re-imagining Flaming Lips“Do you understand??” and Beck’s Lost Cause.

“He’s a true artist,” Nelson says of his son. “He chose all the songs.”