Willie Nelson brings in his sons and daughters for the first time on 'Willie Nelson Family' album

It’s no small signifier that Willie Nelson calls his touring band the Family. While only pianist Bobbie Nelson, his sister, is a blood relative among his core crew onstage, the others are mostly such longtime friends that he treats them like his own kin.

Furthermore, the Family band has often expanded in recent years to include Lukas and Micah Nelson, Willie’s two youngest children. And when he closes his shows with a gospel medley, daughters Paula and Amy Nelson, who sometimes travel with their father, will often pop out from backstage and sing along.

Bobbie, Lukas, Micah, Paula and Amy all appear on the cover of this new album simply titled “Willie Nelson Family.” It’s the first time he’s gathered that full group for a studio project, though he’s been leaning in a familial direction lately, releasing “December Day” with Bobbie in 2014 and “Willie and the Boys” with Lukas and Micah in 2017.

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The focus here is on spiritual tunes, with Willie originals such as “Kneel at the Feet of Jesus” and “Family Bible” sharing space with Hank Williams’ iconic “I Saw the Light” and C. Austin Miles’ century-old hymn “In the Garden.” Contributions from Paula and Amy largely involve backing vocals on these tunes, enhancing their gospel-choir feel.

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The arrangements are simple, often centered on Bobbie’s piano as longtime Willie sidekick Mickey Raphael colors the background with harmonica accents. These are mostly short songs: All but two clock in at under three minutes (a couple are under two), adding up to just past a half-hour for a dozen songs.

The one song that sticks out as most unusual in the context of the album it also far and away its highlight. Lukas takes the lead vocal on a transcendent rendition of “All Things Must Pass,” the melancholy title track to George Harrison’s first post-Beatles album in 1970. Willie adds gravitas with a subtle backing vocal in the chorus, while Micah handles the bass and drum tracks. It’s a thing of beauty, perhaps suggesting an acoustic all-covers album in Lukas’ future.

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Willie’s touring rhythm section of drummer Billy English and bassist Kevin Smith also appear, as does the late Paul English on percussion. The album was recorded at Pedernales Studios in Spicewood, Texas with Willie and Steve Chadie co-producing.

This article originally appeared on Austin 360: Willie Nelson brings the Family on new album, 'Willie Nelson Family'