Music handed down by the gods

Boy, why can't all country music be like this? While Nashville churns out one faux diva after another, in sneaks sweet Kelly Willis from Austin, Texas. Abandoned by the Nashville machine, she cut an album that she and her fans could truly enjoy.

When was the last time you heard a genuine sounding female country singer? They're all about as sincere and over the top as a lap dancer, aren't they? (Shania and Faith, yeah y'all. . . sexy bellies, yes, good music, no) Just like a lap dancer, you're lured at first by some sexy flash, only to walk away feeling played and used.

Not so with our Mrs Willis (Yeah, she's married boys. She broke my heart too.) She brings back the original meaning to that old cliche as sweet and tempting as the girl next door. She's like that pretty girl that showed up at your Grandma's, singing pretty music accompanied only by her brother's guitar, while you sat back and listened, sipping sweet tea from the porch swing. Real, honest to God sweet harmonies rather than over produced slickness abound here folks.

Her biggest strength to me is the way she sings heartache ballads without going too far. "I Have Not Forgotten You" is perhaps the finest. Yeah, yeah, I know what you're thinking, this is pure grade "A" generic sounding, like every other country song where you know the next line the first time you hear the song. Not the case with this CD, chief.

This record should appeal to those who like the new cookie cutter country as well as to fans of good old fashioned twang. Admittedly, the songs can sound the same after a while if you're casually listening, but just when you think you've got it cornered, she strikes another pang of your heart. There isn't a false note in her repertoire.

But don't just take my word for it, check it out yourself and see what you think.



PS It is country, don't be fooled, If you don't like country, you won't like this.

PSS Where did I find out about this great artist? The Radio? Right . . . VH1? CMT? . . Nope, you'll never guess. . . I saw her performing on CNN.