Lukas Nelson is a working musician in every sense of the occupation. In the past two years, he has been collaborating and touring with genre-defying master Neil Young, creating his first album for the Fantasy Records label as Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, and being in stalwart support of his dad Willie Nelson, always “on the road again.” The songwriter-performer has never had fears of feeling washed out in either artistry or identity with so many duties. Instead, he embraces every outlet for his gifts and expression to the fullest.

Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real have been finding an audience of their own for several years, as evidenced by countless captures of their live performances on YouTube and three earlier albums.

Some fans might miss the rougher edges on the new self-titled album. Not to worry, the heart and passion of Lukas Nelson remain untouched over the slicker production, and the diversity of his range and style is showcased in his November 25 set for “Saturday Sessions” on “CBS This Morning.” From reggae grooves to mournful love lost, Lukas Nelson and company still keep the music very real.

A morning of music

“Saturday Sessions” has become a coveted national platform for artists of every genre, and garnered Emmy recognition for CBS. The network has been heavily devoted to music over the Thanksgiving holiday break, offering a special spanning 60 years of “Greatest Grammy Stories” last night (Nov. 24), and this morning alone (Nov.

25), revisiting features on Esperanza Spalding and REM’s celebrated “Automatic for the People” album on its 25th anniversary. Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real were the perfect choice to close the morning, clearly, a band following its own muse, and leaving listeners wanting more.

“Find Yourself” opened the early morning set with an easy, sort of island groove.

It began with the first opening plea of “I hope you find yourself, before I find somebody else,” in the song extolling lovers’ rights. The family tenor of Nelson's voice comes through but his vocal range is beyond family heritage, seasoned by playing 200 shows a year and stretching his vocals with studio sessions in between.

Lukas Nelson also demonstrates artistry and improvisation as a guitarist that goes far beyond being part of a backing band. He and bandmates Cory McCormick (bass), Talo Melgar (percussion), and Anthony Logerfo (drums), know how to have fun, and Lukas playfully drops to his knees at some ending points in the chorus.

Change of mood

Next came “Fool Me Once," embracing simple themes of a “done me wrong” song, but filled with infectious riffs and a tongue-in-cheek playfulness. Some steel guitar comes in on this effort, and Nelson goes high to low with “I might even walk the line,” borrowing a Johnny Cash touch. The bluesy-country ballad takes an all-too-familiar theme and still makes it fun and fresh.

The parting song for the set was a haunting one. “Forget About Georgia” chronicles a love doomed only to pain, and yet impossible to forsake. According to Lukas Nelson, the song is based on a very real woman, and he swears that he doesn't only date women named after states. “She can turn her eyes away and still hold me under,” echoes one lyric. Just the mention of her name brings assurance that “I knew I would die slowly.” The song makes mention of Lukas Nelson’s father, too, in context with this unforgettable love. Music transforms painful memories into a soothing salve for the heart.

Lukas Nelson has found the right prescription for carrying the family legacy and standing in its own artistry.
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