Stardust

A beautiful album of covers that I didn’t realize he had made, but truly enjoyable in that signature Willie Nelson voice.

Wow, I really liked this! I've been a Willie fan in name but haven't ever gone back and truly listened to his albums as a whole. Consider me hooked on this folky 70s style serenade.

Not my type of music.

Nice and soft but kind of Boring 2-3

I mean, I knew who Willie Nelson was, knew his big hits, and love country/folk/American music. But this? It hit me how much I dismissed Willie Nelson. These covers are unique but immediately recognizable. I think this has convinced me that he's a great musician. I'll listen to this again and again.

#619. This is, at this point, and old timey country sing singing covers of very old timey pop tunes. The catch is, he's actually fairly terrible at singing, so all of these are the worse version of each song. Not sure that anyone would be honestly interested in this for any reason. 2/5: no, thanks.

Loving the sound of this, it’s perfect of its kind. At various points I’ve listened to lots of the kind of songs he’s covering e.g. Hoagy Carmichael, Irving Berlin, Gershwin, so it’s all sort of familiar but also distinctive with Nelson’s vocals and guitar.

un album di cover country. assolutamente e totalmente inoffensivo

Great, it’s a classic I hadn’t yet heard.

5* What am I, fucking stupid?

Decent covers but nothing to write home about. Found myself getting tired about halfway through the record.

Very relaxing

Me ha sorprendido a bien. Y me encanta que haya hecho lo que quisiera adaptar canciones que a él le gustaban y punto, así sí. Además bien adaptadas a su estilo country. Para estudiar, dormir o contemplar el día 10/10.

Really chill and lovely album. It really matches the energy of a person who is deeply in love, in a safe, healing and quiet relationship

Probably 3 or 4/5, love me some willie nelson

Who wouldn't love the legendary outlaw country singer Willie Nelson? I used to think of Willie Nelson as the guy who sang about whiskey, heartbreak, and maybe outrunning the law a little. Willie covering old-school pop standards like “Georgia on My Mind” and “Blue Skies” sounds like it shouldn’t work — but it does. The older I get the more I really appreciate Willie.

Considering this was a cover album, I was pretty excited to hear what Willie was going to do. I didn’t mind it, but it is not something I would go out of my way to listen to again.

Enjoyed this album while having a long drive back home through a stormy night. Perfect setting for it. Not sure I would’ve enjoyed it as much otherwise. As a bit of a Sturgill Simpson fan, this album reminds me a lot of him. I’m sure he was inspired by Willy. Added Georgia on my mind and unchained melody

Cup of coffee, windows down, long day on my way home - I didn't want this album to end. Very slow, but it hit me at the right time. Calming and soothing, Willie nailed these covers. Big fan.

Awesome, smooth, easy to listen to. some great songs

I will say, I have more than a little skepticism towards covers albums, but this is really good. On Stardust, Willie Nelson plays stripped back, intimate interpretations of American pop standards, and he does a damn good job at it. These interpretations sound tender, heartfelt and lovingly assembled, a far cry from the reputation of the covers album as nothing more than a cash grab or bait for discography completionists. Nelson's band sounds great, proving themselves while giving him room to breathe and take center stage. And good thing too, because Willie Nelson is a really strong presence here. His guitar playing is pretty and crisp and understated, and his melodic gruffness grants this project some gravitas. I think the best run here is from Stardust to Blue Skies, with Blue Skies as my personal favorite song from the whole project. There are some lulls though, I don't know if the strength of this opening run is matched at any other point in the project. Also, while Unchained Melody and September Song are very good, they are also among the lowest energy songs on the album, and sequencing them together causes some pacing problems for me. For as hard a sell as "Willie Nelson's classic pop covers album" is, this really delivers, and I liked it quite a lot, despite some unevenness here and there. I'm gonna settle at a high 3, but I'd also like to give some unofficial bonus points to the fantastic album art.

Knew so many song on here!

Classic songs done with Willie's signature style. Beautiful.

I liked listening along to this, it was easy. But Tim told me they were covers and not originals so probably not worth more than 2.

Not really up for facing another Willie so soon after the last one. I like a bit of space between each Willie.

No thank you, this just ain’t my rodeo.

Perfect napping music. Nothing interesting to listen to here I'm afraid

It was interesting to hear songs from the American Songbook stripped down to just a few instruments and vocals. But, I was happy that the album was short because I can only listen to him in small doses before his warbling voice gets irritating.

This album was so good. I had no idea it was a cover album of pop tunes. Willie's voice is sooooo smooth. It is so good. The guitars, harmonicas, pianos are all so peaceful and calming. This was such a great listen. "On the Sunny Side of the Street" is sooo catchy. Loved it! Hannah loved "Someone to Watch Over Me" Liked Songs: "Georgia On My Mind" , "Blue Skies" , "All of Me" , "Unchained Melody" , "On the Sunny Side of the Street" , "Moonlight in Vermont" , "Someone to Watch Over Me"

liked songs: All of Me Not a bad set of covers. 3

Sad songs and waltzes aren't selling this year

Not my bag

Relaxed and tastefully done. I’m not crazy about Willie’s voice but this was tolerable. Good choice of material, though I could have done without “September Song”; it seemed to drag on forever. Overall, not bad…..but I probably won’t need to listen to it again.

Me gusto , es un buen álbum a diferencia de mis quejas anteriores con algunos que no se deciden a establecer con sinceridad que son , este álbum en vivo es 100% honesto música country simple y directa, si bien no soy un habitual del genero y mucho menos un conocedor , creo que es un buen disco y lo disfrute , incluso lo escuche una segunda vez con mi suegro el cual si es un conocedor del estilo . Recomendable.

a bunch of covers of old classic pop songs, so while I know that it isn't going to be bad or anything, I also don't have anything to say about the lyrical content or melody or anything since he's not the one who wrote it. generally not much to say except that it's gorgeous and soothing, even if a little boring. willie nelson is a cool dude. favorite song: "unchained melody" overall: 7/10

Willie has a great voice. Add on the fact that he's singing covers of some of the greatest songs ever written and you've got a terrific album. It's just soothing to listen to. Worth at least a listen.

If this is a country album, I'd love to listen to more country. Honestly, I felt like this album was more of a soul or gospel record. This record is relaxing and dreamy. I loved how Nelson expresses his feelings throughout this record. His dream-like vocals make me feel like everything is going to be all right. I also find the faint use of the organ throughout many of the tracks on this record. Favourite Track(s): Georgia On My Mind, Unchained Melody, September Song, Moonlight in Vermont Least Favourite Track(s): On The Sunny Side of the Street

Hey, would you like to listen to some Willie Nelson? Not really. Would you like to listen to Willie Nelson do standards covers? Uh, no? All respect to Willie Nelson. Man's a legend. Never met him, but sure he's a great guy. But this just isn't my thing and these ratings tend to be personal opinions. So my opinion of this is it's just not my thing.

He’s a very good songwriter and while he doesn’t have the most amazing voice he still sings these songs the best

Blue Skies is a great song, and I really like Willie Nelson but this album did not inspire me like the other ones have.

A lot of fun covers with a surprising amount of Jazz Standards from Ole Willie

Was I just in the wrong mood? Genuinely surprised that people like this. If you're going to cover all your favourite songs, please add something to them, rather than distilling them down until they all sound pretty much indistinguishable from each other. Admittedly, I don't know much WN music; I know who he is, but that's all. So perhaps there was some context to the choices he made here? Apart from Sunny Side briefly lifting my spirits (and securing a grudging extra star) I found this very dull. (Update. Changed my mind about the extra star over the weekend.)

Inoffensive but pretty uninspiring cover versions.

This was absolutely great easy listening great voice absolutely loved this

I need someone to watch over me 🙏

This is #day301 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… oh well, another country record. Or, is it? The instrumentation is pretty pleasant, at least compared to the rest of the country I've heard so far, with some jazz and blues here and there. But anyway, this isn't an album I'd ever choose to play again. This is a 2 out of 5. Looking forward to #day302.

Respect the artist just not my jam.

Awesome! Stardust is such a great album!

The best cover album IMO.

I started out not liking this one and thinking I'd rate it worse than "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive" but this one grew on me. I really appreciated On the Sunny Side. This being an album of covers, the song selection was cool but I questioned whether Willie Nelson did some of the originals justice. I think this deserves better than a 1 but a 3 may be pushing it even though I went back for some songs later on in the day. If I could give it a 2.5 I would.

An album that proves (if proof was needed) that great music is great music and great artists are great artists. I can still remember just how crazy it seemed that Willie Nelson of all people, Mr. Country Outlaw, had done a record featuring romantic standards from decades past. But every song and performance here is amazing. You can not like the type of music; that's just a matter of personal preference. But what can't be denied is the quality and beauty of the performance.

This was nice to put on before bed. Felt like a lullaby. Not very memorable. But nice to listen to.

Some timeless jazz and pop standards sung by the great Willie Nelson. What’s not to love?

I said on my last review how I wasn’t a huge fan of WN and was I happy to get through that album, clicked submit, and then immediately got another boring Willie Nelson album.

Listenable

I enjoyed this album listen! I’ve never really listened to a Willie Nelson album before so that was fun to experience. I feel like most of these songs were covers but I was into it. The album felt very chill and folksy to me. I can see myself listening to this again and recommending it to others!

Formulaic, not keen on the delivery, and don't see the point of him recording all these standards, especially Unchained Melody, other than to be a crowd pleaser obviously...

A little miscellaneous. Too many songs about states.

Oh wow! More 70s! Hot take: I don't think an album of covers should be on the list.

Hyggepianistagtigt. Kendte sange. Lidt dansktopagtigt.

Really like the sound of the band on this album, and of course Willie's interpretation is great. Enjoyable record for Sunday chilling.

Just plain boring

While not the outlaw country album I was expecting, which is one of the few types of country/folk music I can actually stand, it's not that much better. Willie's voice is quite nice, the orchestrations are pleasing and playing is not annoying. The songs are however very much in the same realm as Finnish "iskelmä", which means kinda like schlager but without the folk stuff, so popular songs made as generic as possible. I did not know Unchained Melody could sound this bland.

I LOVE Willie Nelson, so this album is right in my sweet spot. Is it his best album? No, but it's a top 3 choice. The late 70s production comes through here, but his voice and guitar playing are crisp and dead on. No missed notes, no hair out of place. It's impossible not to love these songs, and the arrangements here are ideally suited to Willie's voice and style.

Interesting

Reliable Willie!

Beautiful.

Unnecessary.

2.5

Good performance, but not for me... Mostly background music. And since it's only cover songs, why is this record on this list? I tend to 4 stars, but honestly, I will never come back to this one, it is ok, but overall forgettable...

Beautiful and a very easy listen. Nothing wasted. No bloat. Not a single thoughtless chord progression It feels like one of those albums that you listened to and think “oh how did I miss that”. Upon checking the wiki, turns out they’re all American pop standards, and Willie was branching out of his usual country style with the help of Booker T. While some of these, like Unchained Melody were obviously covers (to lack the proper term), the fact these are standards explains why it feels so familiar, easy, and homely.

Just saw him play a week ago. Hearing his voice and listening to these songs that he made classic is an amazing experience. There's so much that goes beyond just the song writing. There's this odd, longing melancholy that is woven into his songs that make them feel so personal.

Willie Nelson has a strong place in my music history and this is an amazing album, this man is a story teller, I have listened to this album four times today.

Langweilige Coverversionen

Willie's great, but this is not exactly my style of music. I do like his interpretation of many of these classics. Assuming it is Willie, I love the sound of his leads, which were simple yet very effective. He gets a great sound out of his guitar.

This one is very pleasant, all the arrangements are minimalistic but Nelson's voice is great and they're all classic pop songs. Favorites are Blue Skies and Don't Get Around Much Anymore

Honestly this was pretty lovely. I wasn't expecting to be that impressed with Willie's version of I Can See Clearly Now, but he really made it his own.

I love this album. It's filled with covers of standards, and although Willie has never had an impressive voice, he still manages to infuse each song with poignancy and emotion. His version of Unchained Melody may be my favorite.

There’s my Willie. Great album, shocked I’ve never listened to it though. So emotive with limited instruments. Soulful, great songwriting, like a warm hug. 8/10

Sweet

kinda putting me to sleep. would be good EOD tho

This one felt like Willie Nelson doing his best Frank Sinatra impression. Georgia On My Mind was an absolutely perfect cover and I think the best song on the album. Most of the others were forgettable, with a few head scratchers. Some of the songs seemed to be simply Willie singing random notes within a major scale for no apparent reason. Going into this one, I was excited because I generally like Willie Nelson, but this album was a meh for me.

#1 harmonica player NA

pretty solid

Heerlijk om mee wakker te worden in de bus naar werk!

Sweet. But not memorable for me

está bn soft

album muy chill buenas vibes

What a long day. I'm so tired. But this album? Totally worth staying up for. I fucking love it. Pretty much every single song. I first put Stardust on this morning while getting ready. Then on the drive to work. Then on speaker in the office kitchen while everyone was grabbing coffee, because it’s just that good. And a few more times after that. It carried me through the chaos with grace. The covers are legendary. Elvis? Ella Fitzgerald? Louis Armstrong? Gershwin? Hoagy Carmichael? Duke Ellington?? Ray Charles?! This tracklist reads like a syllabus for American musical greatness. And somehow, Willie makes each one his own without losing the soul of the original. There’s something about his voice on this record. It’s direct and evenly paced, never rushing. That bit of vibrato on the longer notes? Just enough to feel it. He’s never in a hurry to get to the next word, and that patience works. His delivery feels like ease. Like peace. Like sitting on a porch swing, letting the light shift while the sun hangs low. Making an album of mostly covers can be risky. But Stardust proves that if you have the artistry, the taste, and the sheer soul of Willie Nelson, it’s not just possible. It’s genius. These aren’t just renditions. They’re interpretations that stand alone. Everyone should love something about this album. It’s warm. It’s masterful. It’s palatable on so many levels, and absolutely brilliant on others. It’s a quietly perfect album, timeless in its simplicity and essential in its place among the great American recordings.

Great album. I’d listened to certain songs but not the whole thing. Wonderful mix of musical styles and a chill vibe the whole way through. Loved it.

That was fun to hear. Willie sing some famous songs that aren't his own.

Love Willie. Saw him in concert multiple times. My only complaint is Willie has way too many songs and has like 100 albums or some such. But this one is a really good one. Georgia On My Mind and Blue Skies are phenomenal. And then add in Unchained Melody and it is just a really awesome album. That being said, I am not sure why THIS album is more deserving than some of his others. It is his 22nd album and hardly groundbreaking even though it had some bangers. I do think it is hard to pick just one album of his though since he has so damn many. But yea, it is good stuff.

Embarrassing mellow and thin.

Very nice album

I get why people like it but this has always been so boring to me. Usually love me some sweet Willie. Early on in my music nerd career this taught me not to accept received wisdom on what are an artist's best albums. Grateful for that.

On pense rarement à Willie Nelson pour sa voix, mais plutôt pour ses compositions. Mais ici il se révèle un interprète sensible et nuancé. Un bonheur à écouter.

I don't say this often, but this album wasn't long enough.

I wasn't sure going in that an album of standards should be a must listen, but hearing them without the big band, Broadway singer style is a necessity. Each of these tracks is fantastic. Keeping this one in the back pocket for if I ever do need to lullaby a baby

Really lovely and varied. Surprisingly short, which in a way is cool. Super enjoyable

This is the kind of thing I feel like I know Willie Nelson more for than the outlaw country stuff. And it’s fine I guess. He does a really good job on this album making stripped back versions of these songs that I don’t really listen to anyways. I see the appeal but it’s not for me

Pleasant and well-executed mid-tempo songs; organ, guitar and drums sound overly lush. Album drags a bit towards the end. If you’re neither familiar with nor into the American songbook, the songs probably don’t reveal their societal and political meaning as well as the undercurrent that revels beneath their saccharine execution. Best when Nelson leaves the comfort zone and turns to more interesting vocal melodies (unchained melody). In sum, I lack to the understanding of the originals to appreciate the value of this collection of covers.

You know, when I tell people that I'm not really a country fan, I have to specify that I'm talking about modern "bro-country" that plays on the radio for two main reasons. Reason 1 is that that's what most people nowadays (at least from my experience) are familiar with. I need people to know that I fucking hate Morgan Wallen. The second reason, and the relevant one for this review, is that classic country has some great stuff within it. I am of the belief that there is no such thing as a bad genre, and albums like this prove it. I love this album. Willie Nelson is one of the most legendary names in the country genre. You know what? He deserves it. This album's outstanding. The context behind it is pretty interesting. Willie was largely known as an outlaw country artist, with albums of his like Red Headed Stranger (which also appears on this list) being standouts of the genre. So, of course, he decides to make an album covering a bunch of pop standards of decades past. Why? Why not! It paid off, didn't it? I think it did. After all, the album has sold over 5 million copies. The album's also really good. Willie's singing is nice. Its undeniably country, but it also feels earnest and not like a Southern caricature. The instrumentation is just beautiful. It really is. It's fairly simple, but oh so effective. This is largely thanks to Booker T. Jones's excellent production, which works wonders with Willie's style. The songs themselves, as stated earlier, are pop standards from the likes of Hoagy Carmichael, Irving Berlin, the Gershwins, and a number of others. Let me tell you, these are some excellent renditions of these tunes. I think I read a review of this album that said something about how the covering of these standards was a good decision because it simultaneously appealed to people who grew up with prior version of them and introduced these great songs to a new generation. That's the beauty of a good cover, isn't it? All of these songs are great. I especially love the first three songs on the album, though the 7 after "Blue Skies" are still excellent. Overall, this album is the kind of thing that just sits right with me in so many ways. It's an endlessly pleasing and utterly timeless listen that deserves recognition on a list like this. It also might just be the best country album I've listened to so far. As far as I can remember, I have yet to give a country album 5 stars. Welp, that changes today! Low 5/5.

I prefer shotgun willie but this is lovely

Niks aparts

actually really liked this album. was not expecting such a nice country album.

how can you go wrong with Willie? I had no idea this was all standards. Reading about it was interesting. Good old songs. Willie’s guitar is unmistakable, as is the harmonica player.

Sweet and calm. Just the perfect songlist for relaxing. I could already imagine myself playing a u-bass with friends during a camping trip.

Only half serious when I say it, but definitely not NOT serious - this is back when there was *real* country. Not this "beer in my truck" crap. The lyrics are good and the instrumentation is actually interesting and varied.

Ja, nei

wow definitely liked this more than I expected. The singing was probably the biggest worry, but its not bad at all. Quite similar to the one from yesterday. It doesn't really feel like country to me, or at least any I've heard. singing is good, orchestral elements are also really good. Again similarly to last time, some songs are just a bit nothing or go nowhere. Favourite songs: stardust, blue skies, September song, moonlight in Vermont, someone to watch over me. Overall around 6/10

2.5

Gentle and lovely but a lot of covers that aren't great

Nope.

Had more fun with this one than his previous album (which was still solid). Love his voice. A lot of these songs were a little slower, sad and sweet. Stardust starts us off, nice and chill. Continues along with the sweet Georgia On My Mind. Blue Skies is a lot of fun. Then it kicks up a notch with All Of Me. And then an amazing rendition of Unchained Melody. Don't Get Around Much Anymore is cute. The rest of the songs are sweet and chill for the most part. Not a bad song on it, it's a really nice listen. Best song: All Of Me

Chilled - liked it!

Thoroughly pleasant, but never one of the 1001 must listen to albums surely?

This album had me floating man. Willie Nelson perfectly blends his usual country and bluegrass sound with the dreamy changes of these classic jazz standards, with beautiful arrangements by Booker T. and absolutely pristine production throughout. Top 5 (no order): All of Me, On the Sunny Side of the Street, Don't Get Around Much Anymore, Stardust, Georgia On My Mind Honourable mention: Blue Skies I did, at first, think sometimes the harmonica felt a little out of place, but it grew on me more and more. I think it gives some songs an extra mid-century feel to them. I can't believe I'd never heard of this album before, it's easily the best works I've heard from Willie Nelson (and that is a high bar). 0 skips, and definitely an album that will have me coming back for a long time 8/10, but that could probably go up over time as I relisten to the album.

This album was fun and really adorable. Good stuff.

Georgia on my mind is fantastic, few others are decent but I really not fan of most of these songs in general. You need to be on the right mood for this or over 80.

Willie Nelson sing songs nobody really wants to hear? Ok there are maybe a track or 2 that didn’t actively irritate me.

A whole album of bad covers. Didn't need any of this.

This is a tough one to rate. I like Willie Nelson's voice a lot, but he's a songwriter and he wrote none of these songs. That's a shame. Even though I'm not going to rate it high, I actually could see putting it on again in the exact right mindset.

This was a much mellower approach by Willie Nelson, at least when compared to his outlaw country, story-driven album 'Red Headed Stranger', an album I really liked. And from what I understand, this album's composed entirely of covers of older pop standards. It was good, I mean Willie Nelson is nothing if not a talented writer and guitar player, and I enjoyed the first three tracks, alongside 'September Song', quite a lot. Honestly wasn't even too familiar with many of the songs covered here, but the selection was well done nevertheless...I'm sure they meant a lot to Nelson himself. But aside from that, everything here felt super boilerplate, very much a late '70s country album. It was still an enjoyable listen at the end of the day.

Relaxing and comforting like a campfire but also not much that really stands out to me, just pretty and chill. (3.5 stars)

Þetta var mjög hugljúf plata. Ég skil vel af hverju Willie Nelson er svo vinsæll. Góður flutningur og góð lög. Ég mun alveg pottþétt setja þessa á við fyrsta tækifæri þegar ég þarf dempaðri og rólegri tónlist.

I like Willie, but this one was a snoozer.

I flirted with giving this 5 stars. It is beautiful and gentle and Nelson’s voice is so lovely. And of course all the songs on here are romantic classics. I only dropped a point because there’s no edge whatsoever, so it gets a little goopy by the end. But otherwise it’s a very classic sounding and simple-folk-arranged collection of cover tunes. It’s a must-listen (#134).

Soft country ballads, good but it does get repetitive.

Blue Skies, Unchained Melody

The best part was when it ended

for a standards album i gotta say that Willie Nelson does a great job at keeping things consistent with his style and artistry. a little middling at first, but i found myself increasingly drawn into the atmosphere. probably pairs well with a nice whiskey. best listened to at night as well, i would say. deserves to be one of the 1001? would not be my pick for a second Willie album, but i'm not upset to see it here. sure.

Such a calming album

Big surprise-- really nice

I guess Stardust is a serviceable album but it is still super repetitive and uninteresting. This is my problem with Willie Nelson after listening to two of his albums, the fact that while his music sounds pleasant, that one style of music is all he really has with him never really deviating and trying to do anything interesting that his contemporaries have not done already. I guess it is better than his other album Red Headed Stranger since there aren't any annoying horn sounds and the songs here did have more time to sink in seeing as they didn't end before they could. I just really don't know what else to say, this album is listenable, just incredibly forgettable. Best Song: September Song Worst Song: Don't Get Around Much Anymore

Maybe at some point this album was noteworthy for some reason but today it feels unoriginal and boring. With cover songs sometimes an inspired vocal or amazing arrangement can lift it above the ordinary (and indeed above the original) - sadly, neither happens here.

I appreciate Willie, really, I do. And this is a classic bunch of wonderful songs. And he does a wonderful job performing them. And it’s fine. Really. I don’t think I get what the fuss is all about.

I’m not a big fan of covers/standards albums and this didn’t change my mind. Nice vocals and I enjoyed “ On The Sunny Side of The Street” but won’t return to this album!

It's not bad, but it feels like it lacks individuality or distinction. That's not helped by the cover song. But his overall sound was almost anachronistic feeling. Like an older sound being mixed with newer sounds in a way that didn't mesh super well.

Sans être nul, c'est un peu con de faire un album de reprises où aucune des reprises n'est meilleure que l'originale.

Old timey covers. Less outlaw, more classic style.

Bra

Georgia on my mind is a big favourite. Really enjoyed hearing Willie Nelson sing all time classics. Shouldn't work but does.

Willie Nelson is probably best known for his authentic style of outlaw country music, so it was something of a surprise when he teamed up with Booker T Jones to record an album of great American songbook classics from Hoagy Carmichael to Irving Berlin to George Gershwin. The result is really rather affecting, with Nelson’s slightly quavery voice adding emotion to well worn songs with music from Jones on organ and piano complementing him perfectly. Just goes to show that you should never pigeonhole people into single genres.

This is really too representative of this list: a legend of American music (honestly a legend only within the boarders of the USA) covering standards of American pop music. Very self-centered. Truth is: this album is boring, that's the kind of boring music you'd have in a lounge bar or whatever. I started to write that it is not that bad, but after 4 songs it's driving me mad. I might not be in the right mood to listen to it, but this kind of chill stuff tends to make me angry.

I liked the willie nelson stardust album much more than i thought I would tbh it's just him diving headfirst into a collection of American pop standards. It sounds like it shouldn’t work, but it really does. His gentle, weathered voice brings a new kind of honesty to songs like Georgia on My Mind and Blue Skies, making them feel lived-in rather than polished. Just some really nice takes on some classic songs and I've always loved the sound of trigger his guitar it really does have a very unique sound which i like The arrangements are soft and understated, letting Willie’s phrasing and guitar do the talking. It’s a warm, mellow listen that somehow manages to feel entirely his own. Stardust proves that great songs, and a great interpreter, can put something into these classic songs and make them sound 'new'.

I was enjoying it until I realised it was a cover album. Sorry but you can't have a cover album in this list surely.

Good if I was trying to fall asleep I guess

Wonderful ballader!!!!

Stardust is a truly beautiful album. Willie Nelson's distinctive, some might say limited, voice is sympathetically surrounded by superb arrangements from Booker T Jones. These interpretations of standards are wonderful. Nelson sings in a leisurely, laconic fashion, is rarely on the beat, anticipating at times, catching up at others, and always sounds completely in his element like he was born to sing these songs. They are uniformly excellent but special mention to the final two numbers, "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" and "Someone to Watch Over Me" which are close to definitive, amazing given the great voices that have sung these songs over the years. I don't listen to this anything like as often as I should; it is a delight and makes me smile every time I hear it.

Between “outlaw” country singer and a Stax organ player producing, this must’ve had quite the fish out of water feel when it arrived to the public in the late 1970s. It’d be like Chad Hugo or Dangermouse working with Beck or Dave Grohl in the 2010s to recast the feel of 80s music. The standards record is now something of a line on a singer’s resume, showcasing their interpretative skills and unique vocal talent, whereas Willie really threw folks a curveball. The trick is to not succumb to the style or sound of the old material and instead make it sound contemporary, maybe with a wink, but Willie is not interested in jokey asides: he’s completely earnest, but in his warm, casual, and relaxed approach. Unfortunately, as charming as this all is, the album still loses my attention and fades into the background pretty quickly. I like, but don’t love his minor key, stilted syntax spins on familiar material. It’s all very lovely - I can see and almost feel the neon lighting up a solitary couple swaying to any one of these cuts. Maybe one day it will have a place for me but today it’s all just a bit dull.

So mellow man

Willie is sooo not my thang BUT this was such a pleasant surprise. I probably won't listen again but now I get his fandom.

Willie Nelson's "Stardust" is an album that feels slow and drawn out. His vocals don't quite hit the mark for me, and the overall pace of the album makes its 36-minute runtime feel much longer. While there are moments of musical beauty, the album lacks the energy and engagement that would make it a more enjoyable listen.

A delightful album. Wonderful to listen to. No range at all. All of the covers sound roughly the same with the same tempo and everything else.

Not my sort of thing

I just got nothing out of this, went in one ear and out the other

That's not my taste in music, but pleasant music

gorgeous voice but a lot of the originals are better than these covers

One of my favourite cover albums. Willie Nelson nails the laid back, acoustic, twangy sound that fits so well in the slow, contemplative jazz standards he covers. Not a bad song on this, and perfect for any quiet time spent alone. Best Tracks: - Stardust - Georgia On My Mind - Unchained Melody Worst Tracks: N/A Rating: 8.5/10

Really not for me. Found it with boring

No no no! I really think most of these songs should stay with the original singer. He doesn’t do much for them. I do like the harmonica though. I guess his die hard fans made this album popular?

Not sure what all the hype is. Was he 100 years old back in the '70s?

I’m obviously too young for this cause I didn’t realize (except for Unchained Melody) that these were all cover songs. Didn’t mind it though but not something I would reach for again.

Fine covers. Little slow for my liking. Maybe a sleep playlist adjacent album.

It’s a bold move to have cover albums as part of this list. An album like this needs to have so much going for it to make it worth saying this is more worth hearing than originals. That is not the case for this album. It’s fine, and at moments it was fun to hear a Willie Nelson take on a classic, but I think this album could be retired from the list and not a single person would miss it.

Beautiful croons <3

Just a solid album from a good artist. Not much more to say about it.

Ovakvi albumi su mi malo meeeeh. Sve kul, ali dosadno uglavnom, laganice koje su mi eto, čudom nekako čak i sjele jer sam slušala u 7 ujutro, u bilo kojem drugom kontekstu bi prošlo čak i gore. 2/5, 3/10

A nice surprise

Pretty solid listen Reminds me of all the songs they used to play before/after punk shows. Willie is an original punk!

It's a 4 but only because it's Willie

Had no idea all these classics were on one album. Hate the production on it, but the material is so good it doesn't matter.

Willie Neson's voice.

Willie’s songwriting and guitar lines are great. Interesting chord structures and soft, relaxing voice.

Outstanding production by Booker T. Really a beautiful sounding album.

5.5/10 Not entirely sure why I needed to head a bunch of covers of worn out songs before I die, but the quality is there I suppose. Highlights: All of Me Blue Skies

J'ai bien aimé, mais sans plus. Facile à écouter.

To long

Nfm

10/10 Another buttery smooth album by Willie, this time focusing on how his lover makes him feel. He discusses feelings of being blue while she's gone and happiness while she's there. Also, he only wants her to watch over him, despite how other people may want their SOs. All this over lowly guitars and drums

Soporific

Really liked this. The songs are timeless and he sings them very well. There's something about his voice and the atmosphere of his recordings that's very soothing. A surprise 5.

Not a ton of "new" music on this, but some really great renditions of some old favorites. Probably my 2nd favorite recording of Georgia On My Mind, and a quality recording of Blue Skies. Honestly though, I think the less-lauded 2nd half of the album is more my speed. You get to really hear Willie be Willie, both good and bad.

Gil stuff from the past.

I wouldn't think that I would love that album but damn that was really good those acoustic parts are amazing I loved it really like the solo in "Blue Skies" was awesome and I loved every songs in general except "September Song" but "Georgia On My Mind" was really beautiful and probably my favorite one.

Great voice!!

Bit too easy listening for me. There’s no doubt that Willie Nelson has done much better than this covers album, these don’t even approach being definitive versions

cowboy done right

This and stargazing in a field until you can barely stay awake This and dancing around the kitchen This and catching up with old friends at a cocktail bar This and reminding me that life can be beautiful

Pretty decent, just not feeling it today

The cover art is amazing. Very good song covers too. This is the country music gateway drug for me Edit Apr 27 2026: 5 --> 4

I cannot imagine a future in which I go to listen to the White Album, or to Sly & the Family Stone, or to R.E.M., and then I change my mind and listen to Stardust by Willie Nelson instead. So I guess this hello and goodbye. None of this is Willie Nelson’s fault. It’s just that I did all I could to keep out Country, and they slipped it in by calling it Singer/Songwriter.

This album makes me feel like I'm five years old, riding in the center of the bench seat of an old car without seatbelts. All I can think about is how to change the station without getting in trouble. It's not bad music, but the feeling that I need to move as quickly as possible to better music is palpable.

I love this man and his beautiful voice

I would say I was pretty disappointed. He seems to not have a great voice and struggles with some notes and is otherwise unimpressive. The music is relatively interesting with some fun organs etc. but I think he gets carried by the lyrics and songwriting. It’s fine

A cover of his favorites. Good songs many I’ve neve heard. Emotion comes out.

Not a bad album but I just couldn't vibe to the slow and sleepy tempo the album had. All things considered it was at least a nice album to listen to. Top 1 Favorite: Moonlight In Vermont no bad songs just a couple of sleepers in there 3.00-3.50/5

It doesn't seem like crossing Willie with standards would be a good match but Willie makes it work. I loved some of the song renditions but others came off as very corny and cheesy. A pleasant listen overall and I'd listen to it again but not anytime soon.

I don’t think I’ve ever really listened to a Willie album before, but I was surprised by how much I liked his voice.

Ultimate chill. Makes the days worries slip away and reminds you that, in the end, everything will be all right

Music like this is the reason I signed up for this, I wanted to be shown music that I would've never heard of or listened to otherwise and that's exactly what is. Personally, not my cup of tea and not a listen I would do again but I can 100% get the appeal, it's peaceful, it's calming, it's relaxing and Willie has talent for sure, my fav track was "All of me"

Extremely chill, good for a rainy day

Interesting to hear a version of Willie that I haven't heard before. I enjoyed some of the covers, but most of them blended together. Fun listen. Not exactly my cup of tea.

Really nice album

Soooo calm.

Sounds like a retirement home. I can listen once but no more. I get the vibe of the album but it's not interesting. I don't hate Willie Nelson but I think i hate this. His voice is usually not good however this is just bad.

Willie is fantastic but this album is a little cheesy.

My favorite Willie album.

A collection of covers, but willie's fragile voice makes them his own, and Booker T's minimalist arrangements keep it grounded without sounding corny. A timeless album.

Not my vibe

Not exactly my cup of tea, but very good! I liked it

I'm not sure I could be any more bored.

3.33

Meh

4/11/2025: Just covers of classics, not sure why this is considered so good.

This was one of the records my mom bought after the divorce, along with a lot of Neil Diamond, so it is woven into my upbringing. It's a beauty of a standards collection. I was going to list the Willie albums I prefer, ones that lean on his original material, but then "Blue Skies" came on, and I thought why would I want anything else? It stops just outside the city limits of treacle, elevating the tiredest of songs with a weary, elegant resignation. It's making something out new of what's left. If you can't open your heart to his version of "All of Me" you may want to have a doctor confirm you have one. This version of "Unchained Melody" is what plays should our wretched souls ascend to heaven at the end. So yeah, essential. Produced by his neighbor Booker T (of and the MGs), recorded in another friend's house, with the harmonica recorded in a shower stall. Also I love that he insisted on keeping Susanna Clark's (wife of songwriter Guy Clark) signature on the cover painting.

I'm a little torn by the inclusion of this, an album of well-known standards, from the artist who wrote songs as good as "Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground," "Whiskey River" and "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys." It was even controversial in its day, coming from the figurehead of Outlaw Country. And yet, I cannot deny this is very good — especially "September Song."

Never even knew this album existed but how special it is.

Wow! I expected a record full of "pop standards" to sound cheesier than this. I think a combination of Nelson's earnest singing and Jones's production and arrangements counteract this. It is 100% charming—definitely a record to pick up when you see it at the thrift (and you probably will, given its sales numbers).

It might be heresy to disparage willie, but I didnt like this. A standards album? How is this needed? To be fair i don't love the Nilsson or Dr John standards Lps either. If you're going to do a covers lp, pick weird songs that never charted (siouxsie through the looking glass, martin gore Counterfeit EP) or a songbook (jennifer warnes doing cohen, ella doing gershwin, tho maybe not 4+ cds of it). If I know 95% of the songs on your standards record well enough to sing them myself, im likely not interested in hearing you do them unless your take is so new (devo satisfaction, most Residents covers) that i can't help but be in awe.

If you have a Willie Nelson album in your collection, it probably should be this one.

I listened to this three times over the weekend. All hits.

It was the first time I listened to this as a full album. It’s beautiful.

Never listened to Willy before but he blew my tiny mind

Hier worrek ni staardustig van - trage muziek voor een zondagnamiddag

I’m drunk in the afternoon on vacation in Hawaii and this album is hitting the spot. We don’t deserve Willie

Hmm, incredibly inoffensive and safe - although I appreciate the background of the album. Kind of music that is like a warm bath or good to recover from major surgery from. It ain't going to get you too ruled up. However, I can't deny that these are some of my favourites versions of the behemoth songs. I'm just not that much of a fan of the songs. 5/10

Not my go to genre of music, but relaxing and soothing none the less. Guitar sounded warm and I found myself mesmerized by his voice. Felt like i was near a campfire or on a porch on a summer night and my grandpa is singing to me

I though Willie was a C&W star? Sorry, not really my bag at all!

Love Booker T, but it didn’t do it for me

Very lovely listen, throughly enjoyed.

bluegrass covers of classics by a pro, no complaints

Not for me

Stardust is Willie Nelson's twenty-second studio album, and a departure from his previous work. This album is a collection of a covers of pop standards. Nelson won a Grammy for his cover of "Georgia on My Mind." His versions of "Blue Sky," and "All of Me" were remarkably well received, as was the rest of the album. Willie's warm, gentle voice, and simple guitar accompaniment made elegant versions of these classic songs.

Awesome!

I found this one to be a little too melancholy for my taste. While I didn't dislike the album, most of the songs felt like they should be listened to on a rainy day while curled up under a blanket. That has its place, of course, and isn't a bad thing, but does detract from the impact the album had when judging it as "great" or not. I think adding more variety/mixing up the vibes a bit would have made it a much more memorable album all the way through. Overall: 2/5

The mysteries of music. One of my favorite artists. Red Headed Stranger is one of my top favorite albums. This though, no matter how often I listen to it, just sounds like easy listening and it drives me mad.

I get it, if you like it. Vocal-forward country with some popular covers on the album. The bluesier Don't Get Around Much Anymore made my list, and Stardust is a good track. Can't imagine this being many folks favorite version of Georgia on My Mind. Fine for what it is, it isnt for me.

surprisingly liked it , its like Willie Nelson did a pop album

OK, this album is actually really chill in a great way. Go Willie go

This a smooth album where Willie manages to bring disparate popular tracks from various genres under one Willie Nelson Banner. He maintains is same smooth delivery, but without the heart worn tone of his typical lyricism, I find myself a little bored. It’s pleasant enough, but nothing I’ll be putting on to showcase these songs or Willie.

Quite boring actually.

Sweet and calm, probably not something I will listen to a lot but liked it more than expected

El rey del outlaw country cantando baladitas clásicas de principios de siglo, pasándose por el forro las recomendaciones de su discográfica. Mola. No es que sea un álbum increíble, pero me ha gustado mucho su historia. Además, la voz de Willie Nelson es buenísima, súper cálida y perfecta para este tipo de temas. Y dado que el libro no contiene álbumes previos a 1955, al menos estas versiones abarcan algo de la música de la primera mitad del siglo XX. Muy buen descubrimiento.

Dreadful

Got half way before turning off.

Angefangen, war mir zu slow

I do wish more artists did this. I understand that a label might blowup its hq before it lets any artist that isn't someone at Willie's success level try to release a record of just covers, but a boy can dream. Maybe if there was a publication that paid for the recording an EP of artists covering songs they love. The triple J "Like a Versions" are nice, but I want it in an album format, not a playlist of youtube videos or a 14 hour playlist. Do it like a KidzBop album. It really feels like Willie's love letter to other songwriters. He's in dialogue with other great artists. Jackie Chan boxset you know what Im sayin. While paying ode, Willie reworks some classic pop cuts to create an intimate atmosphere. This record spills over with love as a fan, and from one fan to another, thank you Willie. 7.8/10 Favorite Song: Moonlight in Vermont

10/10 Willie is so important to American music. I really enjoy that he took the opportunity to sing songs that meant something to him and give it his signature flair. Is he the best singer to ever sing these songs? Never. But the feeling he gives these songs give them a different feeling only he could provide. Furthermore, I think he benefits from picking some of the best songs ever written. This all star cast of songs features tracks from hoagy Carmichael, Louis Armstrong, not to mention the countless legends to cover these songs first. Along with this the production of Booker T. Jones can be felt throughout. Getting a booker T and the MGs take on a Willie album comprised of some of the best songs in the American songbook is really a perfect overlapping of my interests in a way that’s hard to explain. Favorite Song: All of Me

Lovely way to start a rainy Sunday morning. Willie is a treasure. I don't know that I would revisit this often but it was wonderful in the moment.

An amazing album. Very Peaceful.

Willie's voice on these jazz standards is perfect, although his own songs usually are better.

Fav: September Song Least Fav: Don’t Get Around Much Anymore I cannot believe I’m giving a country album a 5/5 but here we are. This list is def making me rethink my biases against the genre for sure

Willie does the hits. Great album!

Nice chill vocal, chill vibe, 6.9/10

This was actually pretty enjoyable. Not a fan of country at all. But this definitely had less of that country-y sound than most. I didn't mind it.

Not much to say here - don't love the Unchained Melody cover but respect it. Probably won't return to this but it's pleasant enough, even if a little tiresome though its relatively short runtime. A little shocked that this album was so big.

country music: meh. covers of pop standards: it depends on who sings it. putting the two together: hey it's actually ok. 3.5/5

My second time listening to this. Enjoyed it both times.

Lidt tamt. Ingen hårde kanter her....

Mundharmonika var ikke det Unchained Melody manglede

This was ok I guess. All covers. Not much of a reason to listen to it though.

Not my thing. Chill though.

Cover album. A little bit dull

Its a somewhat interesting mix of country, jazz and pop, but not interesting enough to be memorable for me. I'll probably remember this one as the album that had the lesser cover of 'Unchained Melody' Standouts Unchained Melody 3/5

own

Not the country music I was expecting from Willie Nelson, but this was pleasant enough easy-listening gentle crooning, although it is hard to imagine putting this on and actively listening to it.

4/5

Willie Nelson is just great to begin with, and to hear him do intimate versions of some of the biggest songs, and put his own spin on them, was such a treat. Almost the entire album went into my cover's playlist. 5/5

It was a slow and quiet album, which isn't a bad thing. I think it would be nice to listen to this while trying to go to bed or something.

Awful! I was hopeful when I saw Willie Nelson’s name but before the first song had even hit halfway I knew I was in for a punishing listen and then it got worse. The songs took forever to get through and I kept checking how many were left until it was over.

Nap time music

Really nice. will listen more

Middle of the road

Easy and relaxing. Willie is a national Album 5/1001

Stardust showcases Willie's talent as a versatile and expressive vocalist, in spite of limited vocal range. The strongest tracks on this album are "All of Me", "Blue Skies", "On the Sunny Side of the Street", "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" - the more uptempo tracks in general.

Ok

Melancholy

Willie Nelson goes jazz - and better yet, it works??? This is peak comfy material. The songs may be a bit meandering, but you're getting a lifetime supply of ambiance for all your candlelit dinners and slow dances under the milky way.

1/5 not a fan

cool vibes

If that's what country sounds like, then call me a fan. Really nice cover album by Willie Nelson, great choice of songs, beautiful voice, solid effort.

Again I like the harmonica-play more than his vocals. Nonetheless a nice and easy listen. 2,5

This is the 66th album I’m rating. I don’t really know what this is but I know it is country. Adding to my Playlist - Stardust, Georgia on my Mind, Blue Skies, All of Me, Unchained Melody, September Song, On the Sunny Side of the Street, Moonlight in Vermont, Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, and Someone to Watch Over Me. Not Adding to my Playlist - Nothing. All in all I liked 10/10 songs. This was a nice calm soothing album. Willie Nelson is pretty cool.

Willie doing other people's songs. Great stuff and one of my all time favorite albums.

A very pleasant surprise. I have no knowledge of Willie Nelson’s music - but definitely had preconceptions! A quiet, thought-provoking album. Very clean sounds and not overly orchestrated. An album for peaceful, reflective times.

Willie Nelson c'est un vieux hippie. Il a la même coupe de cheveux qu'une indienne dans Asterix et Obelix. Si c'étais pas assez, il écrit même pas ses chansons ici. Il reprend des fait chansons aussi poussièreuses que lui. C'est lent, dull, plate, je me suis endormi cinq fois. Très bon, 4 étoiles sur 5

Un album pas super bon que j'aime bien. Mais on s'entend, ça pourrait être Stardust 10 fois de suite et ce serait meilleur, surtout la deuxieme partie du disque.

Charmé par la voix de la Sirène Country américaine! Je connaissais les grandes chansons de Willie, mais aucun album. Donc, une belle découverte que ce Stardust. Parmi les plus belles voix qui se font, et ça a toujours l'air naturel et facile en plus. J'y reviendrai, c'est certain.

Écoute agréable. Cet album n'a généré en moi aucun sentiment s'apparentant à la haine. Mais j'commençais à être tanné rendu à moitié. Mention particulière au son du snare pendant le solo d'harmonica de Georgia On My Mind à partir de 2m17s.

Good

no es su mejor disco, me gusta más su época country... en este disco me da bastantes vibes de Ray Charles

This album features stripped-down versions of various cover songs. Nelson's weathered vocals add a softness to all of them...although I can't say any of them are improvements over the originals.

Never listened to a Willie Nelson album before this. It’s decent country, but nothing that stands out to me

Amazing. Willie is always ana amzing songster, but I never knew about this cover album of classics done with a Willie twist. Some of the best of country.

Nice album. A lot of hits

Completely out of character for Willie Nelson, Stardust is an album of pop standards but served with his signature authentic sense of storytelling. His rendition of 'Blue Skies' is phenomenal.

Willie Nelson is great at expressing himself and creating a mood. I also like the idea of Wilson moving into, for him, almost controversial territory on Stardust. It’s rarely THAT exciting, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Ahhh Willie Nelson. The ol’ misty eyed traveller, the ol’ Red Headed stepchild, the big saloon, the peach tree cobbler, the grandiose bar mitzvah, the even more ol’ opry. One of those has to be right. Whatever. Modern country has led me to believe that I hate country music. Considering that I am both a Canadian and a person who has brain cells and a personality that doesn’t depend on branding, it’s been a tough sell. Older country that has appeared in my rotation (and in the Red Dead Redemption 2 soundtrack) shows that some of the folk roots still linger. Will ol Wiry Willie be a staunch folk appreciator? Or will he show an early foray into the glorified truck commercials (feat. Casual racism) that clog up the country charts today. Take it away. Is this about Cody Rhodes? I wish it was. This wasn’t it for me. Not enough going on for me. Doesn’t mean I need 10,000 bells and whistles, I just found it to be slow. Ugh a cover? Hoagy Carmichael is spinning in his grave. Nobody names their kids after sandwiches anymore. Truly a sign of the difficult times we live in. I dream of a world where little Meatball Marinaras roam the streets with their pals Footlong Hero and Cheesteak. Sinpler tomes. Or is it simpler times? You know. I just can’t remember. Sad. Oh no is this Khruangbin? No. It’s still Willie. Well. This is incredibly mid. The harmonica is surprisingly the best part of this album so far. This also sounds like a church hymns. And from a boring white church too. Are these all covers? I think this another one. I swear to god if Hoagy wrote this one, I’m going to visit his grave. Alright, so these are all “pop standards.” This is like the Ella Fitzgerald thing. Why? More on this later. I do somehow like the really bad recording of the kick drum. It sounds vaguely wet. Otherwise, I’m in tears of boredom. OPEN THIS PIT UP, WE’RE ABOUT TO GET UNCHAINED. Don’t say “I’ve hungered for your touch.” I’m calling the 1978 cops. They said they wouldn’t come unless they could shoot a minority repeatedly. How things stay the same. This song has pretty elements but it is also incredibly cheesy. A little too saccharine. This is for all my autumn heads. Remember when fall actually used to start in September? That was cool. Existential climate dread aside, Willie continues to mention other months in the September song. Lucky it’s not his, otherwise I’d have to throw down in the saloon. That falsetto burst on HAT. Got a genuine laugh out of me. Goldust mentioned. This truly is a Rhodes family reunion. This was silly. Talk about Hard Times. Loonies in a river, fallen cups of Tim Horton’s, moonlight in Thunder Bay. People who meet, to conduct fentanyl exchange, are so hypnotized by the purity of the cut. The geese cackle. Moonlight in Thunder Bay. Snap along everybody. Another mosh anthem. I have historically liked this song, so this will be telling. Yeah. Just as I suspected. Big Willie Style is boring the shit out of me. Willie sez “my girl is a disgusting monster, but it’s all I got. Especially if I keep releasing rehashed songs from the 20’s.” Man he doubles down on the “my girlfriend is ugly” rhetoric. Brother. Not good. Yeesh. Uhh this felt like it was playing at half speed. It’s easy to look back at Stardust and realize it was an album made to stuff shelves and sell to old people. I can almost guarantee that every thrift store in North America has at least three copies of this thing sandwiched between Perry Como’s second greatest hits and Mozart sung by the German Catholic Choir. These songs had no life, and were barely explored yet somehow interminable at the same time. I know now that these are reinterpretations, so it’s not that I am expecting original lyrics or even core melodies, but there is zero originality to the performances on this record. Take all of the copies of this record and crush them into a cube. Sell that cube to the highest bidder. Might as well squeeze one more cent out of this soulless heap. 1-1.5 HIGHLIGHTS: Learning the name Hoagy and picturing a big sandwich.

ah willie interesting move to do standards loved “georgia on my mind” beautiful voice and harmonica got a bit corny sometimes