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By Adela Brito
The Little Willies, musician friends based in New York City, include: Norah Jones on piano and vocals, Lee Alexander on bass, Jim Campilongo on electric guitar, Richard Julian on guitar and vocals, Dan Rieser on drums, along with guest Jon Dryden on organ and accordion. On this album, The Willies include tunes by country greats like Willie Nelson, Hank Williams Jr., Kris Kristofferson and others, as well as four new gems of their own.
Fred Rose's Roly Poly, with Jones and Julian on vocals, is catchy and cheerful, and gives the album a fun western swing start. On the third cut, the classic Love Me, Jones sings, "Treat me like a fool, treat me mean and cruel, but love me" like a true heartbroken country songstress. She also shines on Willie Nelson's, the band's namesake, Nightlife, and I Gotta Get Drunk. On the first, her talent on the keys and her relaxed vocals are showcased. While on the second, she puts a jazzy twist on the country master's classic. Jones takes the vocal lead on seven of the thirteen songs that make up this album, while Julian leads the rest.
Julian's version of Kris Kristofferson's Best of All Possible Worlds is excellent and will have you pressing repeat and tapping your cowboy boots. No Place to Fall, Tennessee Stud and Streets of Baltimore are also good examples of Julian's vocal talents. Julian shares writing credits on three of the four original songs - It's Not You It's Me, Easy as the Rain, and the final cut, Lou Reed.
Alexander, bass player and songwriter, produced this album at his home studio, which he shares with Jones. The result: a solid debut for a talented group of musicians.
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rammy winner Norah Jones, along with The Little Willies, returns with a honky tonk twist on some old music in a genre unlike her previous albums. Whether or not you are a fan of country music, this collection, their self-titled debut, offers a delightful listening experience. Norah Jones may be famous for jazzy-pop, but anyone who has heard her duets with Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson can sense that beneath that unassuming manner resides a cowgirl - a talented one at that.
