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Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin Image
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: Produced by Buddy Cannon, the country singer-songwriter covers songs by the Gershwin brothers features guest appearances from Cyndi Lauper and Sheryl Crow.
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  • Record Label: Sony Music
  • Genre(s): Jazz, Country, Vocal, Pop/Rock, Progressive Country, Jazz Instrument, Guitar Jazz, American Popular Song, Traditional Country
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Top Track

Someone to Watch Over Me
There is somebody I'm longing to see I hope that she turns out to be Someone who'll watch over me I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood I know I... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 9
  2. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Feb 23, 2016
    91
    While he’s done nearly a dozen yesteryear-based solo albums, this one is distinguished by its smartly chosen representation of the Gershwins’ musical breadth and the handpicked, multi-stylistic band (with Mickey Raphael’s winsome yet penetrating harmonica again providing a crucial link to Willie’s larger body of work) fittingly snazzing up the affair while making the most of Willie’s no-dress-code musical fusion.
  2. Uncut
    Feb 23, 2016
    80
    The swinging, jazz-country arangements are perfect, too, hitching the polished, romantic sophistication of the songs to a down-home, rootsy bonhomie that draws comparison with Dylan's reinterpretations of the Sinatra songbook on 2015's Shadows In the Night. [Apr 2016, p.78]
  3. Feb 24, 2016
    70
    Gershwin features a number of quirky, intriguing turns from Cyndi Lauper, who on paper couldn't seem further removed from this longtime country outlaw but in execution sounds just right.... Better still are the moments in which Nelson goes it alone, pushing his famed high voice in unexpected directions.
  4. Mar 4, 2016
    70
    Yes, his voice is more fragile than it was 38 years ago, the vibrato a less tightly reined. But it remains vivid and well-matched to the material.
  5. Mojo
    Feb 23, 2016
    60
    He has an honesty, knows how to caress a good song, and phrases knowingly. [Apr 2016, p.89]
  6. Apr 22, 2016
    60
    [Willie Nelson] brings feeling and charm to these 11 covers.
  7. Mar 25, 2016
    40
    Willie’s battered old voice too often sounds strained and strangled on the higher notes. What should soar barely scrabbles to the right pitch.

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