Search - Willie Nelson :: Moonlight Becomes You

(4.5 stars) WILLIE AND THE GANG DOING THE CLASSICS FROM YEST

ol' nuff n' den sum | the Virginia coast, USA | 11/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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.



"

The reason that these songs are recorded on an independent l

Johnny Heering | Bethel, CT United States | 04/29/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."