One More Time: The MCA Recordings

Amazon.com
One word describes this overview of Willis's three years with MCA Nashville: maddening. Willis has everything: a flawless, classic country voice; a dreamy face; a shrewd eye for catchy but complex material; and a rock-steady band. Nashville and country radio should have been ready for her earthy sophistication and guileless talent; they weren't--she never cracked the Billboard Top 50--but neither was the shy, stubborn Willis ready to compromise. From 1990 to 1993, her MCA run left some fresh, exciting country music. Her biggest hit, "Baby Take a Piece of My Heart," only hints at the fiery "Little Honey" (written by Dave Alvin), the effortless swing of "Heaven's Just a Sin Away," the Bakersfield-flavored "Looking for Someone Like You," and the irresistible "Take It All Out On You" (cowritten by husband Bruce Robison). In her own way, and on her own terms, Willis has made it outside of the Nashville majors. These 14 songs are indelible reminders of just how much they missed. --Roy Kasten

Tracks:

Looking For Someone Like You
River Of Love
I Don't Want To Love You (But I Do)
Sincerely (Too Late To Turn Back Now)
Baby Take A Piece Of My Heart
The Heart That Love Forgot
I'll Try Again
Hidden Things
Little Honey
Heaven's Just A Sin Away
Get Real
Take It All Out On You
I Know Better Now
Whatever Way The Wind Blows

Amazon.com

One word describes this overview of Willis's three years with MCA Nashville: maddening. Willis has everything: a flawless, classic country voice; a dreamy face; a shrewd eye for catchy but complex material; and a rock-steady band. Nashville and country radio should have been ready for her earthy sophistication and guileless talent; they weren't--she never cracked the Billboard Top 50--but neither was the shy, stubborn Willis ready to compromise. From 1990 to 1993, her MCA run left some fresh, exciting country music. Her biggest hit, "Baby Take a Piece of My Heart," only hints at the fiery "Little Honey" (written by Dave Alvin), the effortless swing of "Heaven's Just a Sin Away," the Bakersfield-flavored "Looking for Someone Like You," and the irresistible "Take It All Out On You" (cowritten by husband Bruce Robison). In her own way, and on her own terms, Willis has made it outside of the Nashville majors. These 14 songs are indelible reminders of just how much they missed. --Roy Kasten

Customer Reviews:

I have always loved Kelly's singing, always will.......2006-11-04

he first time I ever heard Kelly sing was when her band, Kelly & The Fireballs opened for mine in a Washington, DC club called Penn Station. Never heard of them? I'm not surprised, they never recorded that I know of. There was a big rockabilly scene happening at the time, around 1984-5 or so, and Kelly's band was a part of it. This little slip of a girl (I don't believe she was 18 yet)steps up to the mike and what comes out of her mouth could only be described as Patsy Cline on steroids. I was floored. Not too long after that, She and Mas Palermo (The Fireballs drummer and Kelly's BF at the time (see credits on first album - I prolly spelled his name wrong) lit out for Austin to seek fame and fortune. Boy was I happy to see the first CD surface. I have really loved everything she's done from the first note I ever heard her sing. She may not remember me (Hey, Kelly - remember Timmy and the Love Hounds? I was their Drummer, Dave!) but I remember her quite fondly. I agree that MCA should have been able to turn Kelly into a household name - with that voice how could they miss?

MCA Compilation.......2006-05-15

Here's an affordable and easy way to get a sampling of early Kelly Willis. This collection consists of selected songs from her first 3 albums, and an additional fair song "Little Honey". Since Kelly never really hit the charts in a big-way, it's kind of hard to figure out just why MCA released these specific songs. Sure, there are a few songs here that had accompanying videos in the early-90's, but Kelly Willis also had a few better songs on albums that are not included here; if you get a chance, you really should seek out and buy a copy of her third (self-titled) album. In any event, some of her best work is included here, specifically, "Sincerely" and "Take it All Out on You". I was glad to see that her version of the Kendall's "Heaven's Just a Sin Away" was included, as Kelly does a great job with this piece. A solid album overall.

As good as it gets...........2003-08-15

I remember when Kelly's first three albums came out.

Stuff like "Bang Bang" and "Would You Settle For Love" - I ask you - is this Rock? Is it Honky Tonk? Is it Americana? It's all the above and MORE. Just like every other song on this compilation.

It's all powerful stuff - Kelly can rock out with the best of them on one song, and bring you to tears with a slow moving ballad on the next. A true talent, and one of the purist and brightest voices in Country Music.

This one is a must-have!

an excellent album.......2002-08-13

When I got this album I only knew one of the songs on it (Little Honey) but I am very much pleased with it. One of the reasons I like it, is that there are not all ballads nor are they "naff" like some country records can be. I am new in the country music world because where I live (England) country music is not big but I think this album is great and well worth it. It is probarbly the most listened to out of all my music and I love it, I definatly recomend it.

Great Compilation.......2002-03-12

Willis fans are celebrating with the release of this collection of some of her best from her trilogy of now-difficult-to-find MCA releases. "Bang Bang" is missing, a perky rocker from her sophomore effort, with "My Heart's In Trouble Tonight" from her stunning debut album (worth whatever it costs to obtain.) Some of her best is here, Steve Earle's "Sincerely, Too Late To Turn Back Now," "River of Love," Dave Alvin's "Little Honey" (a movie cut from 'Thelma and Louise') and her definitive Marshall Crenshaw-penned "Whatever Way the Wind Blows," a CMT video hit. Willis touched commercial success on her 1991 sophomore effort, with super-songwriter Kostas' "Baby Take a Piece of My Heart" climbing into the Billboard Top 60, but her stubborn preference for cutting edge, rocking material limited her chart runs. In the end, her sweet soprano, deft song choices, and slapping rhythm arrangements were probably too trendy for the docile female country scene of the early 90's, but her efforts produced a trio of CD's that need to be owned alongside this sampler.

Music Album:

Music Album