No Depression - The Bi-monthly Journal of Alt- Country
#40 July - August 2002
Kelly Willis and her husband Bruce Robison are the queen and king of Austin's Americana scene.
The aticle concentrates on her album Easy released in August 2002 on the Rykodisc label her first since having her first child.
It is not an album that I have but I did find the track What Did You Think on an Uncut compilation Sensation Nation.
The only one of hers I have is the 1999 predecessor What I Deserve again on Rykodisc. Perfectly pleasant but a wee bit too bland and mainstream for my tastes.
She started off in a band called Kelly Willis & the Fireballs and came to the attention of the likes of Nanci Griffith and Lyle Lovett on moving to Austin. Following an introduction by Nancy she was signed by MCA who marketed her as the next big thing. Apparently she wanted to record a Lone Justice type album whereas MCA wanted country radio hits. Needless to say that all ended in tears and she began to move over to the alternative scene.
Coincidentally I bought What I Deserve from Play it Again Records hidden up Ruthven Lane in Glasgow's West End along with two albums by this weeks One from the Top slot canditate Heather Myles.Neither was 2002's Sweet Talk and Good Lies which features in the magazine article but I subsequently picked that one up from the Wigtown Community Shop. She is more honky tonk and much more to my taste.
I can forgive the blandness of What I Deserve thanks to Kelly's brilliant duet with Robbie Fulks on Parallel Bars
She was great as Clarissa Flan in Bob Roberts too. Can’t believe that was 30 years ago.
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