22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Standards - The Nelson Way, June 20, 2000
This is a re-release of an original 1993 Willie Nelson album which features yet another beautiful collection of standards, done in that most unique Willie Nelson way.
But unlike earlier Willie Nelson releases on which he concentrated on interpreting classic tunes (like his 1978 Stardust or his 1994 Healing Hands albums), this 15-track CD is a very laid-back affair with sparse instrumentation; basically just guitars, a little piano, a subdued bass & some gentle drums. Don't go looking for strings or grandiose arrangements here.
Being simple is what makes this album so great! For me, this is among the top-five albums by Willie Nelson. Four stars only because I think that the song choices are somewhat uneven.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another set of classics done Nelson syle., October 21, 2000
This review is from: Moonlight Becomes You (Audio CD)
Willie Nelson has again pulled some of the best standards and has done them as only Willie can. It starts off with a Nelson original, December Day, and moves through such classics as the title track, "Sentimental Journey," "You Always Hurt The One You Love" and 11 others that will put a smile on your face and just make you feel good. The musicianship is first rate and Nelson's voice is a true classic. If you own the other standards albums, you will definately want this one. If not, then pick this one up. It is a treasure.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
(4.5 stars) WILLIE AND THE GANG DOING THE CLASSICS FROM YESTERYEAR ! (with a different approach this time), November 8, 2007
This review is from: Moonlight Becomes You (Audio CD)
Moonlight Becomes You (1994) finds Willie Nelson interpreting classic songs from the 1940s, including the title song made famous by Bing Crosby. Willie opens and closes the album with two of his own compositions from his 1971 concept album,
Yesterday's Wine (December Day, In God's Eyes). These updated versions sound very, very good. The melancholy December Day reflects on love lost.
This looks like a December day
This looks like a "time to remember day"
And as my memories race back to love's eager beginning
Reluctant to play with the thoughts of the ending
The ending that won't go away
In God's Eyes ponders God's view of the world.
Never think evil thoughts of anyone
It's just as wrong to think as to say
For a thought is a word that's unspoken
In God's eyes He sees it this way
In between these two gems are thirteen pop standards/classics done by Willie and some of his long-time friends. This is not Stardust 2 by any means. Where the meticulous Stardust classic had a glossy and lush production, the largely acoustic Moonlight sounds like friends just getting together and playing some old favorites. It doesn't sound homemade or cheap; the production is first rate and crisp.
Johnny Gimble plays the fiddle (there is a lot of great fiddle on the album), Paul Buskirk and Freddie Powers play rhythm acoustic guitars, Paul Schmitt plays piano, Dean Reynolds plays bass, Mike LeFebvre is on the drums, and Willie plays guitar and sings.
This isn't Willie's usual band, so the songs sound a little different than usual; but I like the fresh sound of this album, and Willie's trademark nylon string guitar is still prevalent, sounding like a welcome old friend.
The songs all have a light and carefree feel to them, and even the sad songs aren't weighed down with tension or unease. Because nothing seems rushed, you get the feeling that nobody was in a big hurry here. Still, everything about this album is professionally and conscientiously done.
The Heart Of A Clown, Everywhere You Go, Sentimental Journey, and You Always Hurt The One You Love all get updated here and sound great. Willie makes these old classics his own, and they sound new again. If you like Willie Nelson, especially Willie doing music from years past, you'll like Moonlight Becomes You.
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