The Little Willies (CD)
Sound: B Music:
B
A mix of country, traditional vocal music, some Rock and
some interesting choices for covers, The Little Willies self-titles
debut CD is a pleasant surprise in its ambition and execution. This is the new band featuring
singer/songwriter Norah Jones and fellow musicians Lee Alexander (bass), Jim
Campilongo (electric guitar), Richard Julian (guitar, vocals) and Dan Reiser
(drums) with Jon Dryden (organ, accordion) adding a classy edge.
Immediately, the album reminded me of the great Trio
collaborations of Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt in its love
of the past and the knowledge that the music is as relevant as ever. The energy in which it is done brings it to
life like a cast breathing life into Shakespeare. With the recent success of the soundtrack for O Brother, Where
Art Thou? proving that current country leaves much to be desired, this CD
should be a fan favorite that could break through commercially as a pleasant
surprise. The tracks include:
1) Roly
Poly
2) I’ll
Never Get Out
3) Love Me
4) It’s Not
You It’s Me
5) Best Of
All Possible Worlds
6) No Place
To Fall
7) Roll On
8) Gotta
Get Drunk
9) Streets
Of Baltimore
10) Easy As The Rain
11) Tennessee Stud
12) Nightlife
13) Lou Reed
The PCM 2.0 16bit/44.1kHz Stereo is good, solid and clear,
which is especially good in this case because of the density and number of
instruments. Whether The Little
Willies is the beginning of something new or a one shot project, it points
to a better direction for the Country genre at a time it needs all the help it
can get.
- Nicholas Sheffo
