The Lucky One

Christy McWilson

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 20, 2000)
• Original Release Date: June 20, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hightone Records
• ASIN: B00004TJ8W
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #74,765 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Picketts singer Christy McWilson has one of those voices that, when you hear it, it matters little what she's singing; the sound of her voice alone makes the experience worthwhile--think a throaty Kelly Willis. Producer Dave Alvin may describe her as a "roots-rock Sylvia Plath," but between the warmth of her warble and the perkiness of the production, all thoughts of suicide are held at bay. True, she sings of sober subjects such as growing older ("Apple Doll") and the business end of the music biz ("Fly Away"), but the energy of the performances and the out-and-out gorgeousness of her instrument make The Lucky One a cathartic rather than a depressing experience. Unfortunately, Alvin's L.A. alternative sound tends to obscure rather than highlight McWilson (say what you will about Nashville productions, they do know how to record great voices). Enjoyable as the Spectorish "Someday" is, one wishes her powerful vocal were set off rather than just another element in the wall of sound; elsewhere, her lowest notes are often nearly lost. Still, Alvin is to be lauded for rescuing a real talent from potential obscurity, and those who experiences McWilson's womanly wail can consider themselves among the lucky ones. --Michael Ross

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Knock-Out!, September 13, 2000

By A Customer

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Get Her A Songwriter, November 5, 2002

By	James Carragher (New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, May 3, 2002

By	Susan Cook (Tennessee) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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...