Top

music

Stories

 

Kelly Willis

Translated from Love (Ryko)

Kelly Willis started out singing rockabilly at age 16, and despite growing into a Texas-style honky-tonk sound, she retains the feisty twang of that initial genre. But even with the strong conviction in her delivery, she's made some frustratingly erratic albums in the past, coming off too roots-conscious (and rockin') for the country mainstream yet too country for the Americana crowd.

Details

Kelly Willis performs on Friday, Oct. 26, at 9:30 p.m. Admission is $15-18; call 861-5016 or visit www.cafedunord.com for more info.
Café du Nord

Related Content

More About

Thanks to the sympathetic production of local auteur Chuck Prophet, Willis' latest is her most consistently well-crafted album. Instead of pushing her in a specific direction, Prophet lets Willis' affinities for country and rock intertwine — her sumptuous vocals have never sounded better, more confident, or been applied to as fine a selection of songs. "Stone's Throw Away" and "Losing You" are classic country ballads in the Tammy Wynette/Dolly Parton vein, and in a perfect world the wistful yet idealistic jangle-rocker "The More That I'm Around You" would reach the Top 20. Willis also tosses in some curve balls — note the girl-group echoes within "Don't Know Why" and the lighthearted swagger she brings to Iggy Pop's "Success." The cheesy Cars-goes-rockabilly of "Teddy Boys" is the only misstep on an otherwise near-perfect set.

 
My Voice Nation Help
0 comments
Sort: Newest | Oldest
 

Concert Calendar

  • May
  • Tue
    21
  • Wed
    22
  • Thu
    23
  • Fri
    24
  • Sat
    25
  • Sun
    26
  • Mon
    27
San Francisco Event Tickets
©2013 SF Weekly, LP, All rights reserved.
Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places San Francisco / Bay Area

    Voice Places

    Find everything you're looking for in your city

  • Happy Hour App

    Happy Hour App

    Find the best happy hour deals in your city

  • Daily Deals

    Daily Deals

    Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city