Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris are reminding listeners that they’re willin’ to shake the dust off a classic and pay tribute to woefully underrated and exceptionally gifted Little Feat kingpin, the late Lowell George. Today, the pair have unveiled their previously unissued cover of the honoree’s trademark, “Willin’.” The track is a feature of Rock And Roll Doctor: Lowell George Tribute Album, a two-disc collection, available on vinyl for the first time on April 18 for Record Store Day, with a CD and digital release slated for April 24.

For folks familiar with the Waiting for Columbus live cut of “Willin’,” this iteration doesn’t open with Lowell’s signature response to the buzzing audience, “You folks are crazy,” or his delineation of Bill Payne’s piano solo. What it does is preserve a piece of music history. Today’s release captures two iconic voices, breathing their experiences into the gritty, long-haul tail of the journeyman’s quest, fueled by “weed, whites, and wine.” 

“Willin’” is just one piece of a forthcoming set of music, which has long been out of print. The collection underscores 15 takes on George originals, delivered by a supremely talented lineup of artists, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Taj Mahal, JD Souther, Allen Toussaint, and others, as they pay homage to a true musician’s musician. “Roll Um Easy,” “Salin’ Shoes,” “Spanish Moon,” and other songs might ring a bell to the right audience as staples of the Little Feat archive, while others like “Honest Man” nod to his late ‘70s solo career. 

“It’s hard to believe how many years have passed since this album was first recorded,” says Lowell’s daughter, Inara George. “I remember how meaningful it was to sing ‘Trouble’ with Van Dyke Parks and Ry Cooder – they were both friends of my dad, which made it even more special. So to be able to add voice, so many years later, to a track with such greats as Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson feels like a perfect bookend. It’s such a gift to celebrate my father’s work alongside his musical peers.”

George’s role as a musician dates back to his adolescence, when he demonstrated an early mastery of multiple instruments. His talents proved worthy of attracting the likes of Frank Zappa and resulted in an invitation to join The Mothers of Invention. The short stint was followed by the onset of other musical ambitions and the formation of Little Feat. With Zappa’s backing, the group procured a deal with Warner Bros. Records, earning their status as a covertly venerable act with the capacity to fuse Southern rock, funk, folk, and country into a delectable package. 

Ultimately, internal band pressure led to their breakup in 1979, prompting George to pursue a solo career, which culminated in the release of Thanks I’ll Eat It Here. Heartbreakingly, he passed away the same year at the tender age of 34. Despite his short stint, George’s impression seems to fade, and he endures on the Rock And Roll Doctor. 

Pre-order Rock And Roll Doctor: Lowell George Tribute Album. 

Listen to Nelson and Harris’ cover of “Willin’,” below. 

Rock And Roll Doctor: Lowell George Tribute Album Tracklist:

1. Cold, Cold, Cold – Bonnie Raitt and Little Feat

2. Feets Don’t Fail Me Now – Taj Mahal

3. Roll Um Easy – JD Souther

4. Rocket In My Pocket – The Bottle Rockets and David Lindley

5. Sailin’ Shoes – Randy Newman and Valerie Carter

6. I’ve Been The One – Jackson Browne

7. Two Trains – Allen Toussaint and Leo Nocentelli

8. Long Distance Love – Keisuke Kuwata

9. Rock And Roll Doctor – Eddie Money and Buddaheads

10. Straight From The Heart – Chris Hillman and Jennifer Warnes

11. Honest Man – Little Feat

12. Spanish Moon – Phil Perry, Merry Clayton and Ricky Lawson

13. Willin’ – Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris featuring Inara George *

14. Trouble – Inara George

15. Rock And Roll Heaven (Spoken Excerpt) – Lowell George

* Previously unissued