What I Deserve

• Artist: Kelly Willis
• Rating:
• Release Date: February 23, 1999
• Total Time: 50:11
• Type: Lyrics are included with the album
• Genre: Country

Review

ThIs effort from country singer Kelly Willis has a number of important things going for it. First of all, there's her voice, which is an almost archetypally perfect blend of sweetness and grit. Then there are her backing musicians -- in particular guitarist Mark Spencer, who makes a recognizably country sound without overdoing it or descending into bathos and stereotype. Last, and very importantly, there's producer Dave McNair, who has crafted a beautifully balanced and full-bodied sound for the album without allowing things to get too slick and prettified. What's lacking, for the most part, are melodies strong enough to grab your interest and hold it. There are some hooks -- "Take Me Down" is quite singable, and there's a great version of Nick Drake's "Time Has Told Me" -- but they're relatively few and far between, and scarcity of hooks can be death for a country album. In this case the lack is far from fatal, but it's noticeable. Recommended with reservations. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Take Me Down (Lyrics)	Kelly Willis, Gary Louris	Kelly Willis	(3:46)
What I Deserve (Lyrics)	Kelly Willis, Gary Louris	Kelly Willis	(4:20)
Heaven Bound (Lyrics)	Damon Bramblett	Kelly Willis	(3:20)
Talk Like That (Lyrics)	Kelly Willis	Kelly Willis	(3:09)
Not Forgotten You	Bruce Robison	Kelly Willis	(3:36)
Wrapped	Bruce Robinson	Kelly Willis	(4:28)
Cradle of Love (Lyrics)	Paul Kelly, Paul Kelly & the Stormwater Boys	Kelly Willis	(4:57)
Got a Feelin' for Ya (Lyrics)	Chuck Prophet, Dan Penn	Kelly Willis	(3:25)
Time Has Told Me (Lyrics)	Nick Drake	Kelly Willis	(4:37)
Fading Fast (Lyrics)	Kelly Willis, John Leventhal	Kelly Willis	(2:54)
Happy With That (Lyrics)	Kelly Willis, Gary Louris	Kelly Willis	(3:34)
They're Blind (Lyrics)	Paul Westerberg	Kelly Willis	(4:37)
Not Long for This World (Lyrics)	Kelly Willis	Kelly Willis	(3:28)

Credits

Dave McNair (Producer), Bruce Robison (Gut String Guitar), Michael Ramos (Organ (Hammond)), John Ludwick (Gut String Guitar), Lloyd Maines (Pedal Steel), Jon Dee Graham (Lap Steel Guitar), Steven Jurgensmeyer (Design), Charlie Robison (Gut String Guitar), Jon Dee Graham (Guitar (Electric)), Norman Kerner (Engineer), Dave McNair (Percussion), Daniel Presley (Producer), Kelly Willis (Gut String Guitar), Chuck Prophet (Guitar (Electric)), Michael Ramos (Farfisa Organ), Dave McNair (Mixing), John Ludwick (Bass), Daniel Presley (Engineer), Max Butler (Guitar (Electric)), Rafael Gayol (Drums), Adam Larson (Design), Dave McNair (Mastering), Dave McNair (Engineer), Michael Gomez (Photography), Mark Spencer (Guitar (Electric)), Chuck Prophet (Guitar (Acoustic)), Larry Aberman (Drums), Geoff Travis (Executive Producer), Mark Spencer (Guitar (Acoustic)), Norman Kerner (Producer), Michael Been (Bass)

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