Customer Reviews

Lucky One

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My husband's a CD retailer and I hear a lot of new music, but it's rare for a CD to cut through the din the way Christy's McWilson's "The Lucky One" did. I'd never heard of her but within 30 seconds of listening to the title track I was in love with her voice and her music. How can anyone be this good and not be a major star? I disagree with a previous customer reviewer about the production. It's every bit as strong as McWilson's voice and songwriting. This is one of those rare CDs where every song is a winner.

What's the lesson to be drawn here? Maybe that Seattle-ites shouldn't try to do country, for this just doesn't impress me much. There's nothing really wrong; McWilson has a fine sometimes lilting, sometimes belter voice, Dave Alvin's production is crisp and clean, and the playing is all you'd expect from the likes of REM's Peter Buck and others. There is a particularly fine keyboard and accordion riff in Today is Yesterday's Tomorrow that recalls the Sir Douglas Quintet classic Mendocino. Still, nothing sets this apart from dozens of other country CDs. Weak writing is the main culprit; cliches abound (Today is Yesterday's Tomorrow, yes, so what?) and too many of the songs are general laments without either distinction or resolution -- corks bob on the ocean, what goes out comes back again, the weight of the world is heavy, wishing doesn't always make it so. Well...duh. The sad part is that nowhere on the CD are such sentiments written or delivered with the least trace of irony. This problem is especially odd because producer Alvin in his own writing is a master of the telling detail that drives a song home. To close on a positive note, three songs are keepers -- the title cut, Eloda and Cryin Out Loud.

I've been purchasing music for over 30 yrs now, and maybe in that time, about five artists have totally impressed me and made me want to run out and buy their music and tell all my friends about them. This is one of those artists. Her hauntingly beautiful voice reminds ME of Joan Baez (have heard her compared to many others). Listen to some cuts and see if you agree with me. I can't get her voice out of my head. And that's a good thing...

The title track is wonderful,and there are several other songs on the CD that are also fabulous. She has a beautiful voice and is able to convey the emotions her soulful lyrics demand.

Im hard-pressed to think of anything bad about this album. Much more on the country end, but teases us with a little rock to sooth our palattes. This album shows a lot of heart and soul as Christys voice carries this album. The likes of Buck, Mills, Straw and Alvin and Co. just add sparkle to what is already amazing material. I particularly enjoyed on the Uptempo side: Little Red Hen, (with Mike Mills backing vocals adding a little Yodeling for good measure). Today is Yesterdays Tomorrow, a song want to dance in my seat to and right now my favorite song on the record. With this album though this will change weekly as there are so many winners on it.

But Christys voice is what shines on this album. Songs such as The Lucky One, Fly Away, Till I Die and Wishin bring something engageing. She is not afraid to hide beauty and for the listener.

The most unfortunate part of this album is that it might have the misfortune of getting stuck in your CD Player. If you arent afraid of this happening i would check it out. :)

Eric

McWilson's previously shared centerstage as a singer and songwriter for the Seattle-based Picketts. This solo debut refines the band's mixture of country, rock and pop with eleven originals and a cover of Brian Wilson's, "'Till I Die."

McWilson continues to mine her country and pop influences, spanning from the 50s onward. She can sing with the wavery emotion of Kelly Willis or the uptempo sass of Connie Francis, and writes songs equally comfortable with pedal steel, chiming twelve strings or a Phil Spector (by way of Sonny Bono) wall-of-sound. Her lyrics spell the life of a sophisticated modern-mom (ala Amy Rigby), a tour widow (husband Scott McCaughey toured with REM) or, as Dave Alvin put it, "a roots rock Sylvia Plath."

All-star support from Alvin (as both producer and guitarist), REM's Peter Buck, drummer Don Heffington and string virtuoso Greg Leisz underlines and exclaims McWilson's every word, from the menacing fuzz-guitar of "Eloda" to the mandolin-backed harmonies of "Fly Away" to the juke-box rock 'n' roll of "Cryin' Out Loud."

McWilson's solo-in-the-spotlight is well-deserved, and extremely well spent.

I have heard this woman live,even in the din and distraction of a bar her voice is rich, multi-layered-like a wonderful wine. It's something that stays with you. Later you find yourself humming to "Someday" with the words going round and round in your head.However,I have always been disappointed with the production and this is no exception. It just sounds very one dimensional, single layered. Very flat. Her strength as a songwriter is continuing to grow. Despite the poor production this is a little jewel.

I love this album... it's as if her songs were about my life, and the lives of many of my friends. She portrays the difficulties of a woman trying to fulfill all the demands of family and partner while keeping something for herself.

But this makes it sound like a "chick" album, and it's not. Christy McWilson is NOT one of those whiny sensitive singer-songwriters -- this woman is tough!

Oh my gosh!!! What a great album!!! The soulful lyrics have been melded with melodies that catch your ear and keep you listening to see what's coming next.

If you only buy one CD this year, this should be it! Everyone in my somewhat eclectic environment likes it. The "Dark Side of the Moon" of alt/country.