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Kelly Willis BioThanks to photographer Robert McGee for sharing this great photo of Kelly performing at the A2K millennium bash in Austin on New Year's Eve 1999. Rob said he was about 70 feet away when he took this shot. Nice job, Rob, and thanks for sharing with MusicAustin's Kelly Willis fans. So much talent, and my, does she ever look good!
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Check out Rob's photograph of Shawn Colvin from the same evening. Kelly Willis tours a considerable amount. When she is in Austin she appears in venues such as the One World Theater. She has taken some time from her touring and work away from home to devote herself to motherhood since her marriage to Bruce Robison. Kelly Willis appeared in People Magazine's "Prettiest People" issue. While not related to her singing or songwriting ability, it certainly fits in with her Hollywood-like "discovery" and record company signing. The story is that Kelly was singing at the Continental Club when Nanci Griffith happened in. A phone call went from Nanci to an MCA record producer, and 1990's Well Travelled Love is the result. Kelly released three albums with MCA including the 1993 album Kelly Willis. A CD entitled What I Deserve was released in February 1999 on a new label, Rykodisc. It garnered rave reviews from around the world. Kelly was part of Lilith Fair. She's done a stint with Austin City Limits on public television. In short, she's made the transition to a national star, but she still lives and appears in Austin. In addition to her own albums, Kelly has songs on at least fourteen compilation CDs, including the soundtrack from the movie Thelma and Louise. Her music has charted all around the world. She is especially popular in Europe. Since her marriage to Bruce Robison, she has been part of an extended family of country music professionals that include Bruce's brother Charlie and members of The Dixie Chicks. Find out more about this musician, her albums, her life, and her singing at her website. You can get her albums from amazon.com. Winner MusicAustin's Austin's Best Albums Award for 1999! |
Kelly Willis's Albums
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Kelly Willis Album Review:
The Geezinslaws Strike Again! at 2005-09-16 I have been a fan of the Geezinslaws for decades. The name alone grabs your attention. Then, after you take the time to listen, you realize the Geezinslaws are to be taken seriously!The Eclectic Horsemen allows the Gs to shine in fine form. In this CD, the good ol boys from Texas really lay-it-on-the-line ... with the help of a few old friends who just happened to be in the neighborhood.Even though the Geezinslaws are categorized as comedy, you must take note of the fact that they are also seasoned musicians. Listen to Willie Nelson join-in on Stairway To Heaven and the Roger Miller composition, Doo Wacka Do. Its topline stuff! Then, theres Thank You Miss Audrey (For Breaking Hanks Heart), a great idea, written by Bruce Robison and Monte Warden, that refers to Hank Williams Sr. and his wife, Miss Audrey. Kelly Willis, an exceptional singer, blends in with Son Allred on this one for perfect harmony. In reality, Thank You Miss Audrey is a very good ballad. It may be tongue-in-cheek, but it reflects seriousness!Kris Kristophersons Here Comes That Rainbow Again has been a personal favorite since I first heard the late Sammi Smith belt the tune back in 1993. The Geez rendition of this song, based on the movie, The Grapes Of Wrath, is a delight. Jesus Was A Capricorn, another Kristopherson gem, is also in this collection.Singer/Politician Kinky Friedman invades the party with a tune titled Marilyn and Joe ... and it works in a kinky fashion!The 23 tracks on this CD also spotlight some very funny jokes. The Bird Joke and Willies Goldfish Joke are worth the price tag!The Geezinslaws present something difficult to locate in most CDs today: originality. Its 48-minutes of pure-dee-fun! |
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Kelly Willis Album Review:
Simply outstanding at 2005-09-04 This is by far the best Kelly Willis album ever....too bad she didnt continue in the same vein. Her first album was a great debut, her second was an improvement over the first with a few of the glitches ironed out. This album (her 3rd) brought in a guitarist whose style clashed so well with Kellys voice, that it just blew me away. Personally, I thought this was the beginning of more great things, but apparently she was dumped from the label and she chose an artsy path of dull, lifeless music. But, if you want to hear what could have been, this is the album. Kelly Willis Album Review: What country music should be at 2005-02-18 Its unfortunate that genuinely well-crafted, original and thoughtful music such as this gets referred to as alternative country. Mainstream country, meanwhile, combines the worst of two-worlds: simple-minded retreads of odes to dumb-hick living plus the inanity of pop-music polish and over-production. No wonder country often gets a bad name; mindless pap gets promoted by record labels while the truly talented get ignored. On to the good part: I listen to rock, punk, hip-hop, heck, even classical music more often than country music, yet this is my favorite album of all. Bruce Robison, Marshall Crenshaw, (two other artists who should be much more popular than the junk on country radio) and Kelly herself contribute top-notch lyrics and melodies. From beginning to end, Kellys voice, the instruments, the melodies, the lyrics are all a joy to hear. Theres no filler on this album; its plain to notice that every song is full of heart and thought.1.Take it all out on you - lighthearted jaunt with catchy guitar hooks, probably lots of peoples favorite 10/102.Heavens just a sin away - fun, tuneful remake 8/103.One more night - decent wistful tune 7/104.Thatll be me - top-notch mostly acoustic ballad duet with another should-be-better-known artist, Kevin Welch 10/105.Whatever way the wind blows - up-tempo West Texas with some steel guitar and lots of electric guitar 8/106.Get Real - strong ballad that nicely builds and builds 8/107.I Know better now - wistful yet hopeful cryin-in-my-beer kind of song, great Kelly voice 10/108.Up All Night - strong tuneful, lots of nice hooks 9/109.World without you - oft-a-cappella Kelly, in a doo-wop sort of beat 8/1010.Shadows of Love - didnt like it as much as the others, still some ok hooks and lyrics 7/10All in all, the best country album Ive ever heard and my own favorite in all genres; wont find it new, but thankfully there are lots of auction/used CD sites to find it. Kelly Willis Album Editorial: 1993 self-titled release by Kelly Willis. |
