Willie Nelson announces album Workin' Man: Willie Sings Merle

Willie Nelson has announced his new album Workin' Man: Willie Sings Merle, out November 7.

This will be the singer's 78th solo studio album and premieres his interpretations of 11 classic songs written by the late Merle Haggard.

The first single from the album, out today, is Willie’s take on the classic 'Workin’ Man Blues,' which was a #1 country hit for Haggard in 1969.

Nelson and Haggard were longtime friends and collaborators who released three albums together; 1983’s Pancho and Lefty, 2007’s Last Of The Breed (alongside Ray Price) and 2015’s Django and Jimmie.

In the Last Decade, Nelson has released a number of albums focusing on another songwriter's work. He has covered Harlan Howard, Ray Price, George Gershwin, Rodney Crowell and he released two volumes of songs associated with Frank Sinatra.

The album was recorded at Nelson’s Pedernales Studios in Austin. It features the final recordings he did alongside longtime family band members, his sister Bobbie Nelson on piano and Paul English on drums.

This comes alongside the premiere of Highway 99: A Double Album, a documentary detailing the life and career of Haggard, directed by Ethan Hawke. Nelson is featured in the documentary as an interviewee.

• In the meantime, check out the single 'Workin Man Blues' below: