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CD Review - Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison "Cheater's Game"

This is one of the top CDs that I have heard this year. Before this couple got married, they both had successful solo careers and still do. This is the first CD that they have done together and I think they sound very well singing together, though I'll take Willis singing by herself anyday. I like Bruce's brother Charlie better than Bruce, just a stylistic, talent thing. Bruce is very talented himself.

This is produced by Brad Jones and it is a very well done CD with a Texas Country sound. Only problem I have with recording is that it is way too loud, don't know if it was mastered too loud or recorded too loud originally, but there is no Distortion, unless you turned it up real loud which I did not try. A combination of songs written by different writers. It is a real good recording though ,mastered by Yes Master, who are a very well known outfit. Robison and Willis sing very well together. It is a collection of catchy songs which work well.

As for the material, I like just about every song on the disc. Favorites are "Border Radio" by Dave Alvin, "We're All the Way" by Don Williams. "Long Way Home" by Hayes Carl has Kelly singing lead which is a delight. Nice mid-tempo ballad in a sad mood, but it is a delight. "9,999,999 Tears" by Razzy Bailey is another great song with Willis singing lead, her vocals are so beautiful. Eamon Mclaughlin (former Greencard) plays cello,mando and fiddle on most songs.

Bruce Robison has a good voice, but I like the songs Kelly sings better, They do sing very well together.

The artwork for the CD is very creative, a bit offbeat, but fun. When you open up the Cardboard case it looks like a pinball game. Interesting booklet with lyrics.

Bruce Robison wrote about half the songs on the thirteen song disc. He is a good songwriter. As a solo artist, I like his brother Charles Robison better. My favorite song on the whole disc is a slow heartbreak song called "Waterfall" sang by Kelly.

www.KellyWillis.com

www.BruceRobison.com

Tags: Bruce, Country, Kelly, Robison, Texas, Willis

Comment by Jack on March 11, 2013 at 6:14am: Nice, Jim. The song that got me initially, and still has me, is But I Do, though there are no weak songs or filler on this record. And you don't hear the tuba on many records; it's used here quite effectively. As for the cover art, it's quite good too. Especially liked the bottle of Lone Star Beer with two straws where ordinarily you'd find a milkshake with two straws. And yeah, I could listen to Kelly sing the phone book.

Comment by Jim Moulton on March 11, 2013 at 8:24am: Hi Jack,

I'm anxiously waiting that release, "Kelly Willis sings Phonebook in G", look for it soon, She will be backed up by Furthur, You are right, there is no filler on this CD, I love the way it was produced. On the other side of the booklet,from that pic you described is a pic of Kelly with a guitar and Bruce standing in front of a hanging with an elephant there. I think "Cheaters' Game" got me first. I love the CD itself, just an odd pattern of gray with no writing. I wanted to get this out, a while back, but I have been ill with mt chronic pain acting up and my doctor I see now cutting it back, I was determined to get out some article about this record. Anyway,

Thanks Jack