260 - Willie Nelson - Stardust

I don't know. I just don't know what to say. Stardust is an album of American pop standards that Willie recorded in 1977 at the peak of his standing as a country music outlaw.

Okay...so there is a little juxtaposition of this "outlaw" doing pop standards. But, give the album a listen and Willie sounds great! The songs don't sound rehashed with Willie's vocals crammed in there. The arrangements are reverent to the song, but have a countrified angle that makes all of the covers sound like they were Willie originals. For that, I do agree that this album deserves praise. However, kind of like the Ray Charles album I reviewed recently, listening to Stardust now isn't particularly impressive to me. Yes, it would easily win a contest of pop standard albums from the past 30 years (looking directly at you Rod Stewart!). In all honesty, my favorite track ended up being a bonus track added on in a 1999 reissue - "I Can See Clearly Now."

Songs I knew I liked: I don't doubt that I've heard a few of these covers by Willie before, but none of the covers stood out to me as particularly familiar.

Songs I didn't know but now like: If only counting the original 10 songs...None. But add in "I Can See Clearly Now" if bonus tracks are considered.

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: Not eager to hear any of these, really.