Hi folks,
Here's what you missed if you weren't at JD's! Both were excellent, but,
Bruce's songwriting and singing is killer. "Desperately" still being my
favorite on "Wrapped." Kelly dipped back into her repertoire for "River of
Love" (shout from moi!) which she said they hadn't been doing for a while and
was her favorite by ex-h, Mas Palermo.
Read on
* Willis offers a deserving concert *
Johnny D's, Somerville, Mass., April 21, 1999
By Jeffrey B. Remz
SOMERVILLE, MA. - After years of languishing between record deals, has the
time come for Kelly Willis?
The Austinite is touring hot on the heels of "What I Deserve," her Rykodisc
debut filled with country twang and softer sounds. Two months since its
release, the disc has sold a very healthy 30,000 copies. She's been atop the
Americana radio charts for several weeks running.
And in concert before a packed house, Willis converted a strong album into a
strong performance. That is underpinned by the voice of the diminutive
singer. She used it to good effect throughout the 90-minute show, capably
emoting passion and pain, often in love songs. Vulnerable, yet determined.
whether on the title track or her previously recorded "Heaven's Just a Sin
Away," a number one hit for The Kendalls in 1977.
Willis has displayed a keen sense at picking solid material. One of her
favorite songwriters is her husband, Bruce Robison. Willis even sang "Take It
Out on You," which she described as "the pure definition of a country song"
since Robison and her ex-husband combined forces to write the musically
upbeat song.
She sang a few songs from her extremely limited release (Texas only) of
"Fading Fast," turning in a very solid performance on the title track, which
also appears on "What I Deserve."
Willis was backed by a generally solid band, especially fiddler and back-up
singer Amy Tivnen. Guitarist Jerry Holmes added many tasty licks as well. At
times, the drumming proved a bit too loud, but usually the quartet delivered.
Robison opened with a solo acoustic 35-minute set comprised of a few new
songs from his upcoming summer release and songs from his "Wrapped" disc of
last year. In fact, Robison offered both his version of the title song as did
Willis later in his set. Both worked.
While a band may often add more punch to songs, Robison's warm voice was
strong enough to overcome that obstacle.
Willis certainly has not had a linear career, but she now may be on the
upswing once again.
CST link == http://countrystandardtime.com
Kate