When this album came out many moons ago, a lot of people thought it would flop.

After all, what is Willie Nelson doing recording standards like "Stardust" and "Blue Skies."

But arranged by producer Booker T. (yes, that Booker T.), this album has become a Willie Nelson classic -- a classic recording of classic American songs.

More often than not, having a recording artist stray out of hia/her genre fails, but not in this case, not at all.

Nelson seems to sing effortlessly, as if he didn't have a care in the world -- and that comfortable, relaxed feeling is transmitted directly to the listener.

For younger people, these are songs you might have never given a chance. But when Willie sings them, they have a different nuance. He makes them his own, as if they were written for him.