Customer Reviews

Easy

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

In 1999, Kelly Willis stunned the music world with her ambitious comeback album WHAT I DESERVE, a record that won her a new audience with fans in the Alt. Country and Americana circuit. Now, after three years away from the spotlight Kelly has returned with EASY, an album that is not only different from anything she has ever pursued, but the best music of her career.

As promised by No Depression magazine and various reviews from all corners of the web, Kelly delivers an all acoustic album with prominent traditional country influence and a tinge of folk and bluegrass. The result is astonishing--her powerful, unique voice is a perfect match for the honesty and emotion of these genres, and it is a wonder that this is a project she hasn't pursued sooner. EASY is sheer beauty from beginning to end. Songs such as "If I Left You" and "Not What I Had In Mind" follow in the footsteps of some of the best moments of WHAT I DESERVE, Kelly shows her vocal chops on "Wait Until Dark" and the utterly gorgeous "Easy (As Falling Apart)," and the talent and emotion present in "Reason to Believe" will leave you in awe of the amazing abilities she posesses. While six of the album's ten songs were written by Kelly, she also showcases a number of works by other artists. Hubby Bruce Robison's "What Did You Think" and the bluegrass flavored "You Can't Take It With You" (which features guest performances by Dan Tyminski, Vince Gill, and Nickel Creek's Chris Thile) represents the album's wide variety of songs, while her cover of Kirsty MacColl's "Don't Come the Cowboy With Me, Sonny Jim" is the true highlight of the album. Every song present on this musical gem is sheer perfection in every way possible.

With the O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU soundtrack sitting at multi-platinum states, and traditional country making a comeback, it seems that EASY couldn't have arrived at a better time. With Kelly's amazing voice, the powerful musicianship of both her and fellow performers, and the project's acoustic flavor, the album is easily the highlight of her career. If you are a fan of Kelly, traditional music, or music that is just plain great, buy this one now, or miss out on one of the best albums this year has produced.

There's nothing artificial about Kelly and her songs. Her singing voice is compelling and strong, but it's also full of little hesitations and sighs that personalize the music. I just love listening to her sing. Most of the tunes on Easy were written by Kelly, and hum-along cuts such as the title tune and "If I Left You" are fine examples of the songwriting art. She's good at selecting songs by others to cover too -- the Paul Kelly song "You Can't Take It With You" could easily do for Ms. Willis what "Let Him Fly" did for the Dixie Chicks. The musicians playing with her are a topnotch bunch of Austin studio hands and country greats, including two of the "O Brother" crowd, Dan Tyminski and Alison Krauss.

The slip card on the outside of the CD has a quote from Time magazine about her excellent '99 CD, What I Deserve. It described that album as "the smartest, most consistently worthwhile country CD released this year." I agree, and would say the same thing about Easy.

I just finished again listening to "What I Deserve" (Kelly's last release) and it still sounds quite good. "Easy" is a very different kind of album. I think the few negative reviewers here were expecting "What I Deserve: Part 2" or a reprise of her style on her old MCA recordings. "Easy" is not that easy. It is the best music ever from an artist who has made a lot of good music, but it has a tendancy to defy categorization. Pehaps it is old-timey, alt-country, bluegrass, folk-pop that goes down oh so "easy" or perhaps it is simply great music. Then there is the matter of her voice. With most artists we say they sound like so-and-so. Kelly's voice seems to have a mind or style of its own--you know, like the great ones. You might have to give "Easy" a few listens before the voice grabs hold and doesn't let go--after-all it doesn't sound like anyone but Kelly Willis. One more thing. Like the photos of Kelly with the CD, which are not your typical make-over, "glam" photos, this is honest music--without pretense. The musicians and guest artists are always in the right part of the whole. Kelly's self-penned numbers more than hold their own with the well-chosen covers and reveal a sensibility worth spending time with. As of 15 minutes ago my favorite song was "Easy (As Falling Apart)," but that could change with my next listen because all the songs keep revealing new dimensions. Let me make this "easy." This is one of the best releases of the year in any genre--why not give it a try?!

"What I Deserve" is one of my all-time favorite CD's, so I was really looking forward to "Easy". After listening to it a few times, I can honestly say that Kelly has put together another great collection of songs, many of which she wrote. This album is a little more somber than the last. Her voice is as unique and beautiful and ever. Kelly and husband Bruce Robison are two of the most talented, yet under-appreciated musicians in country music.

Kelly Willis croons a classc set of mellow, heart-weary, soul-searching countrified gems.Five stars all the way!

Kelly Willis is a very special artist - she has one of the most unique and beautiful voices in any genre today, has great taste in picking songs and musicians, and has become a good songwriter herself. She can belt it out when she wants to ("Whatever Way The Wind Blows", which she ends her shows with, is a great example.) But I think she is demonstrating her real strengths with the subtle nuances and softness in her voice that are especially on display in her last two CDs. "Easy" is merely the latest evidence of her being one of the most appealing singers out there today. And with the simple melody and heartfelt lyrics of "Reason to Believe," which ends the disc, Kelly just nails it - beautiful stuff.

I've long said to anyone who'll listen that Kelly's "What I Deserve" is my all-time favorite album. It captured so much for me, spoke to me in such a personal way, that I instantly just fell in love with it. And now I'm really, truly excited, because "Easy" has that same impact on me. I've been looking forward to this album for what seems like forever, and after finally getting the chance to hear it, I'm just blown away. I couldn't be more impressed. This album is a wonderful follow-up to "What I Deserve," and to me it makes a great companion to that record. The same rich, full, lovely sound that filled that last album is here again, and if anything it's even deeper and more resonant this time around. Listen to "What Did You Think" or "Easy (As Falling Apart)" or especially "Reason To Believe" and you'll likely be touched as much as I am. And I am thoroughly touched by these songs. I think they're beautiful. The whole album is just gorgeous. The Willis/Gary Louris penned "Getting To Me" is another highlight. And "Wait Until Dark" and "If I Left You" and "Not What I Had In Mind." Who am I kidding? I love 'em all. They all have such a wonderfully deep, lush, mellifluous sound, and Kelly's voice has never been showcased better. The subtle inflections she gives the words she sings are fantastic. I think this group of songs is just as good as "What I Deserve," and it takes a lot for me to say that. I'm especially happy to see so many songs written by Kelly herself. The songs she writes always impress me the most.

I'm extremely happy to have a chance to recommend this album. And I do recommend it wholeheartedly. The bottom line is, if you're a Kelly Willis fan, or a fan of "What I Deserve" in particular, "Easy" is a can't-miss proposition. And if you don't know about Kelly but appreciate great music, you'll love this album. And you don't have to love country music to love Kelly Willis. This is as good as music gets, regardless of genre. It defies labelling as far as I'm concerned. Give Kelly a shot. You won't be sorry.

Being an Austin resident (which is Kelly's and songwriter-husband Bruce Robinson's home town) - I have followed her career as an ardent fan from the very beginning. I was very interested to see how she could possibly follow up her stellar last effort ("What I Deserve") and now we have it in "Easy". It is so refreshing to see a young artist "follow their heart" in writing and recording music rather than (well, you know what I'm talking about-just listen to radio airplay these days). Once again, Kelly has raised the bar! For those of you who like Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, Alison Krauss, Jimmey Dale Gilmore, Kimmie Rhodes, and Eliza Gilkyson (you get the idea) - this record is for you. Kelly's voice gives me "goosebumps" everytime I listen to it (and she just keeps getting better and better). A word should be said about the production of this effort as it is co-produced by Gary Paczosa who is one of the very best studio engineers in the buisness (works with Alison Krauss and Union Station-who's recordings are used as "reference" by many audiophiles and are some of the very best SACD transfers to date). There is an "intimacy" of Kelly's voice that feels as though she is right in the room! Buy this record - support the good guys - this is the "real deal"!!!!

Originally, I only gave this one 4 stars. A year or so and 200 listens later, I have to say it deserves 5. It's different than her earlier stuff, and it took a bit to get used to. I was wrong to give it only 4 stars. Bad Frank, BAD Frank.

Having said that, Kelly has the voice of an angel and is a wonderfully talented songwriter. She shines on this CD and it is now one of my favorite CDs in my collection.

As pennance for my mistake of giving it only 4 stars originally, I hereby sentence myself to a trip to Austin, TX to see Kelly live. A harsh punishment, you might say, but justice must be served : - )))

The songs are gems with outstanding acoustic musicianship, and arrangements that do a great job of showcasing her wonderful voice. She can evoke time, place and emotion in a wide range through the course of these songs. There's not a false chord on this record, my only complaint is that I wish it was longer.

It's great to hear somebody do real country music and do it with sincere feeling. It's just a treat to listen to this record. Probably the best American Alternative recording this year.