Search - Willie Nelson :: Without a Song

Pop standards fall slightly flat

William Fare | Cedar Rapids, IA United States | 02/22/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I expected more from this, one of a handful of Willie Nelson albums dedicated to songs from the Great American Songbook. The songs are great, Booker T. is onboard for production and organ duties, and Willie's voice sounds great. Still, the emotion that makes Stardust a great collection of standards just isn't working here.



"Without A Song", "Harbor Lights", and, to a lesser extent, some of the others, make nice (dare I say "easy") listening. I could've done without Julio Iglesias' presence on the flat "As Time Goes By", and much of the album is lacking in energy. Even Booker T.'s organ serves to lay a bland background as ballad after ballad is served up.



The disc is inexpensive and makes inobtrusive background music. Beyond that, I'd go with Stardust or the Leon Russell collaboration for Willie Nelson doing standards."

Not Country Willie, but good Willie nonetheless.

05/09/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although others may not appreciate Willie Nelson's non-traditonal projects, such as this album, I appreciate his ability to span the genre's. That is why Willie is one of my favorite performers, one to be ranked up with the likes of Jim Reeves and Ray Price, and other pioneers of the Nashville Sound. Granted, this album is not hard-core country, but it is a fine piece of work!"

Vintage Willie

Justo R. Corpuz Jr. | Houston, Texas | 03/26/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have an LP version of this CD that I have not played in years. However, I heard one of the songs from the CD recently and that motivated me to find the LP. I found it but ordered the CD as well.



It's good to hear Willie sing. I only have 2 CD's of his - Stardust and this one. I've ripped them into my PC and listen to them when I work. Luckily, I have a little place in the hill country of Texas. There is nothing more Texas than listening to Willie sing with a clear as glass voice and drink beer out on the porch on a breezy, cool Texas evening. Personal favorites are "Without a song", "Once in a while", "You'll never Know" and of course, " A Dreamer's Holiday."

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