CST Clip - Kelly Willis/Bruce Robison at JD's Last Night
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
Re: CST Clip - Kelly Willis/Bruce Robison at JD's Last Night
Kate: 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. It was one of the best shows I've been to this past year...Bruce and Kelly were both in top form. Both have unbelievable pipes! Almost tempted to hike out to western Mass. tonight...hmmm. Morgan
Re: Up for Kelly Willis Bruce Robison NYC?
Bob says: Amy gets my vote for P2 party animal of the year. But don't award it at Twangfest, since she'll have to be awakened to receive it... They've already awakened me at Twangfest once, although in my defense, that was at about 4:15 AM. And remember, I am the woman who says "Fun is overrated." g Any other members of the mostly rumored NYC contingent planning to go? To sleep on your couch? Would they fit? This may be much more interesting than Twangfest... Well, it is a big couch... --Amy
Willis and Robison
A couple of years ago Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison were on World Cafe promoting Bruce's Wrapped CD which was new at the time. They performed a duet of the title song that was great. Do any of the radio types on the list have access to this recording? Please reply off list. Thanks Bill Lavery Village Records
Re: Up for Kelly Willis Bruce Robison NYC?
At 1:13 AM -0400 on 4/10/99, Amy Haugesag wrote: I'm planning on going to the Saturday show, since on Friday nights I prefer to have a sleepfest--you know, that's when you come home, take a nap, wake up, have a glass of wine, and go back to sleep. Amy gets my vote for P2 party animal of the year. But don't award it at Twangfest, since she'll have to be awakened to receive it... Any other members of the mostly rumored NYC contingent planning to go? To sleep on your couch? Would they fit? This may be much more interesting than Twangfest... Bob
Up for Kelly Willis Bruce Robison NYC?
Well, I'm not only going to miss Merle Haggard Meets Mike Ireland while I'm out of town, I'll miss the Mike Ireland and Joe Pernice follow-up at the Mercury Lounge on the 20th too... On the other hand, Keely Willis Bruce Robison are at the Mercury Lounge NYC on Friday the 23rd AND Saturday the 24thI only saw enough of them at SXSW to want to see more. If others from these parts or elsewhere are planning to catch these one of those nights--let me know which! Barry M.
