Photos provided by Kyle Dunleavy / Ravinia

At 88-years-old, it’s a miracle Willie Nelson is still able to perform and record at such a frequent pace, including the new Frank Sinatra tribute, “That’s Life,” which marks his 95th album!

In other words, the national treasure had no shortage of material to pull from when he returned to a sold out Ravinia, and considering his elder statesmen status, also filled a void of tradition left behind by the recently retired Tony Bennett.

Actually, an airtight case could be made that Nelson is just as essential to the Great American Songbook as either of those crooners, even if his primary focus typically lands in the country lane, which outside of Ol’ Blue Eyes’ “Cottage For Sale,” naturally comprised the bulk of a tightly-woven hour.

Along with his longtime band, son Lukas and sister Bobbie, the “Highwayman” went sailing straight down “Whiskey River,” then put the emphasis on his trusty guitar Trigger for “Still Is Still Moving To Me.”

Like that poignant lyric suggests, and the fact he performed seated, Nelson is taking it easier than outlaw days of yore, but is nonetheless pushing forward to the mightiest degree possible, plus it’s an honor to even be in his presence.

And even when he took a break from lead, Promise Of The Real front man Lukas demonstrated the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree with “Just Outside Of Austin,” “Four Letter Word” and “(Forget About) Georgia,” though it was perhaps most readily apparent during the surprise father/son duet throughout Pearl Jam’s “Just Breathe.”

In between, Willie checked off one classic after the next (“Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys,” “On The Road Again,” “Always On My Mind,” “Angels Flying Too Close To The Ground”) with his unmistakable voice and acoustic finger picking sounding equally spry.

For anyone wondering just how long it might be until he rides off into the sunset, the finale “Still Not Dead” was as declarative a statement as any and a reminder to see him again at Ravinia (or elsewhere) before it’s too late.

For additional information on Willie Nelson, visit WillieNelson.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at Ravinia include Gladys Knight (Aug. 18); Counting Crows (Aug. 19); The Infamous Stringdusters and Leftover Salmon (Aug. 20); The Beach Boys (Aug. 21-22); John Hiatt & The Jerry Douglas Band (Aug. 24); Marie Osmond (Aug. 25); Lake Street Dive (Aug. 26); Train and Vertical Horizon (Aug. 27-28); King Crimson and The Zappa Band (Aug. 29); Collective Soul, Better Than Ezra and Tonic (Sept. 1); Lady A (Sept. 3); The Roots (Sept. 4); John Legend (Sept. 5-6); Indigo Girls and Ani DiFranco (Sept. 10); Black Violin and Blind Boys Of Alabama (Sept. 11); Ben Folds (Sept. 18); Max Weinberg’s Jukebox (Sept. 19); Andrew Bird (Sept. 24) and Ms. Lauryn Hill (Sept. 25). For additional details, visit Ravinia.org.

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