Kelly Willis

On her seventh long player, American chanteuse Kelly Willis walks the tightrope between rootsy Americana rock and radio-friendly pop. Twang enthusiasts will delight in the aptly titled, '50s-inspired rocker "Teddy Boys," as well as the Sir Douglas Quintet-inspired take of Iggy Pop's "Success," replete with a Farfisa organ that sounds teleported from Mendocino circa the Summer of Love.

Once Willis' big, intent voice and impeccable simplicity made her a textbook country
shoulda-been. But with four kids and a decade of marriage to fellow shoulda-been Bruce
Robison in the bank, her good taste tethers her to the old homestead on her first album
since 2002, taking off only once: on an unlikely cover of Iggy Pop's "Success," brought to
her by producer Chuck Prophet and arranged for a ghost version of the Sir Doug... More >

Once Kelly Willis's big, intent voice and impeccable simplicity made her a textbook country shouldabeen. But with four kids and a decade of marriage to fellow shouldabeen Bruce Robison in the bank, her good taste tethers her to the old homestead on her first album since 2002, taking off only once: on an unlikely cover of Iggy Pop's "Success" brought to her by producer Chuck Prophet and arranged for a ghost version of the Sir Douglas Quintet. (Grade - ** 1/2)