For those unaware, while gigging in Austin, Texas, in the late 1980s, Kelly Willis developed a strong fan base. Among her fans were other Texas musicians like Lyle Lovett and Nanci Griffith. Griffith introduced her to producer Tony Brown who signed Willis to MCA Records.

Soon, she would find herself in the films Thelma And Louise and Bob Roberts, as well as receiving a nomination as Top New Female Vocalist at 1993’s Academy of Country Music Awards. After three records on MCA, and an EP on A&M, Willis finished her fifth release and signed with Rykodisc, who released What I Deserve in 1999.

Featuring originals by Willis, three co-writes with The Jayhawks’ Gary Louris, and songs by Paul Kelly, Paul Westerberg, Nick Drake, Dan Penn, and more — What I Deserve became her highest charting album to date, hitting #30 on the Country charts and #24 on Heatseekers Albums. It is also now revered as a landmark release in Alternative Country and Americana circles—with good reason.

To celebrate its 25th Anniversary, What I Deserve returns — expanded with five previously unissued live performances of songs from the album recorded November 14th, 1999 on Mountain Stage.

In addition to an expanded CD reissue, the release sees its first appearance on vinyl as a double-LP! In addition to the 17 tracks (appearing on both formats), the packaging contains lyrics and new liner notes from Peter Blackstock (No Depression, Austin American-Statesman), all done with Kelly’s approval.

1. Take Me Down
2. What I Deserve
3. Heaven Bound
4. Talk Like That
5. Not Forgotten You
6. Wrapped
7. Cradle Of Love
8. Got A Feelin’ For Ya
9. Time Has Told Me
10. Fading Fast
11. Happy With That
12. They’re Blind
13. Not Long For This World
Previously Unissued Bonus Tracks: Live on Mountain Stage, November 14th, 1999
14. What I Deserve
15. Not Forgotten You
16. Cradle Of Love
17. Heaven Bound
18. Fading Fast

OK, to my journalistic ear, and relatively from the off, What I Deserve perhaps wasn’t a hook heavy album of tunes, but almost every song does catch your ear, your attention, their combined melodies, tight arrangements and overall musicianship of the players, a joyful combination to behold (even today).

But what stands head and shoulders above everything else is, and without a shadow of a doubt, Kelly’s oh-so exquisite voice. Right out of the gate the opening sequence of songs grab your attention and carries you into the core of the album.

The middle segment, consisting of Wrapped, Cradle of Love, Got a Feelin’ for Ya, and Time has Told Me is simply brilliant. OK, sure, the original album didn’t, to my mind, end especially strong, a couple of songs being culled before release might just have made the album a more compelling album, but hey-ho, it is what it is now, some 25 years later.

But that ending has now been changed, as Omnivore Recordings have re-released the album as a joyous 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition, that now also includes five previously unissued live bonus tracks (recorded on the Mountain Stage, November 14th, 1999).

Those tracks open on the harmonious What I Deserve, and then we get brought forth a great song to listen to when you are thinking about someone special, Not Forgotten You, the musical treasure Cradle Of Love, the quietly strident Heaven Bound, coming to a delightful close on the Texan-driven Fading Fast.

What I Deserve has always deserved another look and listen for those who may have missed it the first time — what you deserve is to lose yourself in Kelly Willis’ incredible What I Deserve and celebrate 25 years of this landmark album.

Official Purchase Link

Official Website