Customer Reviews

Moonlight Becomes You

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

What a great CD. How nice it is to hear music that my parents and grandparents used to listen to. It brought back so mamy memories of listening with my parents and watching them dance to this kind of music. A beautiful CD of old standards done in a way that only Willie Nelson can do!!!

This album by Willie Nelson was released in 1993. It is, for the most part, a collection for pop standards. But Willie did manage to sneak in a few non-standards, like his own compositions "December Day" and "In God's Eyes", and his friend Paul Buskirk's song "You Just Can't Play a Sad Song on a Banjo". But it's his album, so he can do whatever he wants, right? The songs are played in a pleasant country/jazz style that fits well with Willie's vocal stylings. Willie's fans should enjoy it.

As a latecomer to the millions who appreciate Willie Nelson's music, I was dazzled by this collection of standards. In fact, I was so dazzled I bought it three times. Not because I wanted it wherever I went -- at home, in my car and on my person -- but because all three of the discs, on the Justice label, proved defective. After replacing the first two discs with new copies, I gave up and exchanged the third for Nelson's "Spirit" CD, which is interesting but not nearly as riveting for me. I wonder if anybody else has had this problem. I played all the of my "Moonlight Becomes You" discs on different CD players and they all turned bad, after as few as a half-dozen playings to as many as two dozen. Generally, I have found, Nelson puts out music worth listening to. Too bad the hardware in this case doesn't measure up -- or is this a problem limited to CD stores in Roanoke, VA?

Willie Nelson's "Moonlight Becomes You" is a wonderful cross section of songs with memories. Many of my favorites are together on one CD. I was afraid I wouldn't hear some of these songs again due to the time elapse since the CD was produced. But you found it and now I have it. Thank you.

This album by Willie Nelson was released in 1993. It is, for the most part, a collection for pop standards. But Willie did manage to sneak in a few non-standards, like his own compositions "December Day" and "In God's Eyes", and his friend Paul Buskirk's song "You Just Can't Play a Sad Song on a Banjo". But it's his album, so he can do whatever he wants, right? The songs are played in a pleasant country/jazz style that fits well with Willie's vocal stylings. Willie's fans should enjoy it.

This CD is one that I should have bought years ago. It is so cool. typical Willie.

It gets my wife wet!!!!

The music and songs in this album are terrific but Willie's voice is not. He really struggles to reach and hold notes. I have been a fan for years and have most of what he has recorded. Something is amiss with this recording. I hope that whatever happened here is only temporary.