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American Classic - Willie Nelson
Metascore
67 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
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  1. Billboard.com
    83
    Produced by renowned adult contemporary producer Tommy LiPuma, American Classic-Nelson's finest album since 1998's "Teatro"-contains 12 timeless melodies that bridge the gap between Nelson's love for Django Reinhardt and Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys.
  2. MSN Consumer Guide (Robert Christgau)
    83
    He takes songs easy without throwing them away, and these were written to hold up their end of that bargain.
  3. Mojo
    80
    American Classic really shines when the velveteen smoothness takes a backseat to that voice. [Sep 2009, p.90]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Prefix Magazine
    80
    At the age of 76, the Texas native proves that there is still plenty of stardust left under his cowboy hat.
  5. Filter
    78
    The familiar tenor slips in easily with the woozy horns and smooth pianos, sounding confident and at ease--appropriate for the king of cool.
  6. The A.V. Club
    75
    Where 1978's seminal Stardust was a major statement about the timeless power of a great song, the self-consciously minor American Classic is more of a breezy, diverting aside.
  7. All Music Guide
    70
    The resultant sound is smooth, classy, and subtle--a sonic horse of a different color from the exquisitely ramshackle earthiness that made "Stardust" so appealing and unusual.
  8. The New York Times
    70
    Its sound is lustrous, its personnel impeccable. What's missing is the sense of conviction that Mr. Nelson brings to his strongest work.
  9. Boston Globe
    70
    Standards collections from pop artists are de rigueur and Nelson's trusty touring band has been replaced by a tasteful cocktail-jazz unit. For those reasons, American Classic doesn't make the indelible mark its predecessor did.
  10. Rolling Stone
    60
    For all his genius, Nelson can be kind of lazy, and this disc--a sequel of sorts to his beloved 1978 standards collection, "Stardust"--he only occasionally sounds like he's trying.
  11. Slant Magazine
    60
    If not on the same level as "Stardust," American Classic nonetheless finds Nelson sounding as soulful and youthful as he has in years.
  12. Under The Radar
    40
    American Classic still can't avoid feelling like dinner party music. [Fall 2009, p.74]
    All this publication's reviews
  13. Austin Chronicle
    40
    Nelson's debut on seminal jazz imprint Blue Note lacks the luster of its 1978 counterpart.
  14. PopMatters
    40
    Even taking into consideration his relentless tour schedule, which may be taking its toll on the 76-year-old's vocals, certain performances sound like a man going through the motions.
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