Kelly Willis

I consider myself being pretty up-to-date on what new albums are coming out and when. I know when someone has something new coming out and when it’s coming out. So imagine my surprise when I went to the store a few weeks ago and saw a new album sitting on the rack by Kelly Willis. Somehow news of her upcoming album had slipped through my radar. I like being able to keep up-to-date on upcoming releases but it’s nice when I’m surprised by an album’s release. (The whole knowing so much versus being surprised is worthy of a whole column itself.)

So this long winded explanation brings me to this week’s voice to hear. Her name is Kelly Willis and she’s one of my favorite singers. (I know I probably say that about almost everyone that I present here, but it’s really true, I have a lot of favorite singers.) Kelly has a voice that expresses a longing in every word she sings.

Kelly was born in Oklahoma to a military family. She moved around the country quite a big as a child as her Father was transferred from base to base. In her teens she joined the band of her boyfriend and before long the band changed its name to Kelly Willis and the Fireballs. After graduating the band decided to move to Austin Texas and not long after the move the band broke up. In Austin Kelly attracted the notice of several well known singers such as Lyle Lovett and Nanci Griffith who ended up introducing the fledging singer to Tony Brown of MCA Records.

She was soon signed to MCA Records and her first album, Well Traveled Love, was released in 1990. MCA did a big publicity push for Kelly and the album, but it still did not do very well. The next year saw the break-up of Kelly’s marriage and the release of a new album Bang Bang. In 1993 a self titled album was released. Despite the push of MCA and good critical word none of the albums did very well.

Shortly afterwards Kelly was released from her contract with MCA. In 1996 she recorded an EP for A&M records called Fading Fast. That was the extent of her career with A&M. After recording for two major labels Kelly decided to do her next album on her own and with no outside influences. By this time Kelly had met and married fellow country artist Bruce Robinson.

Inbetween labels Kelly did a few recordings with the group Son Volt and it helped steer her music into a new direction.

Kelly’s first albums put her fairly squarely in the country music corner. Her new release did not pull her completely out of that genre, but moved her into some Americana and rock. After recording her new album she sold it to Ryko Disc and What I Deserve was released to huge critical praise in 1999. What’s better is that the album sold also. This is an amazing record, one I can listen to over and over. In 2002 she released Easy, a more laid back and quieter album. In 2003 she released a Christmas album with her husband.

During the five years between the release of What I Deserve and her newest Kelly had four children with her husband. In June of this year she release her newest album Translated From Love. The album was produced by indie rocker Chuck Prophet. This album moves her sound more back to her 1999 sound and is a wonderful record and some great music. Her voice is unique in the world of singers and her music on this album straddles that boundry between country, folk and rock. Hopefully we won’t have to wait five years for her next one.