BY DIGITAL WAX MEDIA STAFF:

 

Through primarily known for her award-winning work on the silver screen, actress Amy Irving has shifted her focus in a more musical direction in recent years. Irving’s vocal abilities took centerstage for 2023’s Born in a Trunk, her debut full-length album as a solo artist. Now the actress will inhabit the catalogue of Honeysuckle Rose costar Willie Nelson for her upcoming album, Always Will Be.

 

The relationship between Irving and Nelson dates back nearly 50 years to the production of the 1980 western/romance film Honeysuckle Rose in which the two performers starred. Since that time they have remained in consistent contact according to Irving, who previously took on one of Nelson’s tunes, “I’m Waiting Forever” for her covers album Born in a Trunk in 2023. Nelson has since made it a point to suggest future covers of his songs to the Screen Actors Guild Award-winning actress, ten of which she reportedly selected especially for the upcoming tribute album and one of which will even feature a guest appearance from legendary musician.

 

Nelson himself has amassed a sizable back-catalogue well worth exploring and with plenty of output through which to sift, having released a staggering 102 studio albums over the course of his 91 years. His most recent offering, 2024’s Last Leaf on the Tree, finds the American treasure conducting his own interpretations of others’ work, including artists such as Keith Richards, Warren Zevon, Neil Young, and others.

 

As for Irving’s spin on Nelson’s material, listeners won’t have a full idea of what to expect until the project’s April release through Missing Piece Records/Queen of the Castle. But audiences have gotten a sample of the material to be released as part of the project by way of the lead single and title track, “Will Always Be,” which premiered through Variety on Tuesday and features singer-songwriter Amy Helm.

 

“I’m thrilled to share with you today my new single, “Always Will Be” featuring Amy Helm,” said the 71-year-old singer-actress in a statement shared to the Spotify streaming service. “This project has been such a joy to create and I’m so grateful to have your ears on this journey. 
Thank you for listening and supporting my music. It means the world!”

 

The track is a cover of Nelson’s own title track for his 2004 album, the similarly titled, It Always Will Be. Irving takes a number of creative liberties with the tune, transforming the number into something she can truly call her own. Despite a change in key, the chordal relationships of the original remain unchanged in the interpretation, as do the lyrics. The retention of these core structural elements are more or less where the similarities between the Nelson original and the Irving interpretation begin and end, however.

 

Immediately discernible upon first listen of Irving’s “Always Will Be” is a distinct overhaul of the tempo, rhythm, and overall feel of the original song. While Nelson’s 2004 version functions as a subdued, almost melancholy affair, Irving’s spin presents the tune as a sprightly shuffle with an almost Hawaiian sensibility about it. While some traditionalist listeners could take issue with the intensive reinterpretation, a willingness to eschew the standard, note-by-note approach to a reinterpretation in favor of putting one’s own spin on a piece of material is generally commendable, as it implies a certain level of engagement by the artist behind the interpretation which in turn begets engagement on behalf of the audience.

 

Another fun aspect of “Always Will Be” is the inclusion of a voicemail message from none other than the man himself, Willie Nelson, which can be heard during a mid-song instrumental passage.

 

”Hey, just checking in. Hope you’re doing okay,” Nelson can be heard to say in the message. “I’m in the studio now and gonna be here a few days, so maybe we can touch base. Love you much – bye.”

 

Irving herself made note of the exploratory nature of Always Will Be, hinting that audiences could be in store for even more surprises with regard to stylistic musical shifts as relating to the original format of Nelson’s featured material. Irving herself credits much of the creativity behind these pivots in approach to album collaborator, bandleader, and arranger, Jules David Bartkowski – credited on the album as “Goolis.”

 

The actress also worked closely with her son and manager, Gabriel Barreto, who is credited with having produced Always Will Be. Barreto’s input, Irving says, would ultimately lead to a number of features that would make the final cut of the album, which will include high-profile features from artists such as Chris Pierce, Steve Earle, Lizzie No, Louis Casto, Amy Helm, and of course, Willie Nelson.

 

Always Will Be is scheduled for release on April 25, 2025. In the meantime, title track and first single “Always Will Be,” along with other musical from Amy Irving is currently available to stream on all major platforms.

 

Photo: Always Will Be Album Artwork – Fair Use