What I Deserve [25th Anniversary]

by Kelly Willis

Overview

ThIs effort from country singer Kelly Willis has a number of important things going for it. First of all, there's her voice, which is an almost archetypally perfect blend of sweetness and grit. Then there are her backing musicians -- in particular guitarist Mark Spencer, who makes a recognizably country sound without overdoing it or descending into bathos and stereotype. Last, and very importantly, there's producer Dave McNair, who has crafted a beautifully balanced and full-bodied sound for the album without allowing things to get too slick and prettified. What's lacking, for the most part, are melodies strong enough to grab your interest and hold it. There are some hooks -- "Take Me Down" is quite singable, and there's a great version of Nick Drake's "Time Has Told Me" -- but they're relatively few and far between, and scarcity of hooks can be death for a country album. In this case the lack is far from fatal, but it's noticeable. Recommended with reservations. ~ Rick Anderson

Product Details

Release Date:	11/22/2024
Label:	Omnivore Recordings
UPC:	0810075114591

Tracks

1. Take Me Down
2. What I Deserve
3. Heaven Bound
4. Talk Like That
5. Not Forgotten You
6. Wrapped
7. Cradle of Love
8. Got a Feelin' For Ya
9. Time Has Told Me
10. Fading Fast
11. Happy With That
12. They're blind
13. Not Long for This World
14. What I Deserve
15. Not Forgotten You
16. Cradle of Love
17. Heaven Bound
18. Fading Fast

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Kelly Willis   Primary Artist,Gut String Guitar
Jon Dee Graham   Guest Artist,Lap Steel Guitar,Guitar (Electric)
Charlie Robison   Guest Artist,Gut String Guitar
Bruce Robison   Guest Artist,Gut String Guitar
Chuck Prophet   Guest Artist,Guitar (Electric),Guitar (Acoustic)
Lloyd Maines   Pedal Steel
Mark Spencer   Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Rafael Gayol   Drums
John Ludwick   Bass,Gut String Guitar
Michael Been   Bass
Michael Ramos   Farfisa Organ,Organ (Hammond)
Dave McNair   Percussion
Max Butler   Guitar (Electric)
Larry Aberman   Drums

Technical Credits

John Leventhal   Composer
Geoff Travis   Executive Producer
Nick Drake   Composer
Norman Kerner   Engineer,Producer
Bruce Robinson   Composer
Daniel Presley   Engineer,Producer
Gary Louris   Composer
Damon Bramblett   Composer
Dan Penn   Composer
Dave McNair   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Mastering
Paul Kelly & the Stormwater Boys   Composer
Paul Kelly   Composer
Bruce Robison   Composer
Chuck Prophet   Composer
Paul Westerberg   Composer
Kelly Willis   Composer
Steven Jurgensmeyer   Design
Michael Gomez   Photography
Adam Larson   Design