Christy McWilson
The Lucky One
Hightone – 8119
released in 2000
visit Christy's website
and on myspace
also avaliable on amazon
This disc sure did catch me off guard with its wonderful songwriting (10 of 11 are written by Christy McWilson, and hard hitting instrumental work. I had never heard of Christy before, nor heard any buzz about her, when this disc arrived. I slipped it in to the changer and out came the country sounding The Lucky One, with this beautiful clear soaring voice and a subtle rocking beat. This was followed by the relentless Little Red Hen, with pounding drum work of Don Heffington relentlessly pushing it along. The disc continued to surprise and delight with its changing rhythms and the solid and tight band closely following the leads of McWilson’s plaintive voice that reflects the emotion of the lyrics. This is an excellent band that stays with her with every twist, Rick Shea does his usual outstanding job on a variety of instruments as do Peter Buck and Greg Leisz. The accordion work of Chris Gaffney adds a subtle undercurrent to the sound. Then congratulations must go to Dave Alvin and the production work he did here, keeping the whole lot vibrant and alive. I look forward to a lot more from this roots rocker.
Produced by Dave Alvin
Song – all written by Christy McWilson except where noted (individual times not given)
1 The Lucky One
2 Little Red Hen
3 Someday
4 Weight of the World
5 Wishin’
6 “Til I Die – Brian Wilson
7 Apple Doll
8 Today Is Yesterday’s Tomorrow
9 Eloda
10 Fly Away
11 Cryin’ Out Loud
Musicians
Christy McWilson – vocals
Don Heffington – drums, percussion
Bob Glaub – bass guitar ( Eloda, Little Red Hen, Ship Song Fly Away
Walter Singleman – bass guitar (everything else)
Peter Buck – 6 & 12 string electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin, sleigh bells
Rick Shea – 6 & 12 string electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin, pedal steel & lap steel guitars, backup vocals
Greg Leisz – Weissenborn slide guitar, dobro, bass guitar & pedal steel guitar (‘Till I Die)
Skip Edwards – keyboards
Chris Gaffney – accordion
Mike Mills – harmony vocals (Little Red Hen, Cryin’ Out Loud)
Syd Straw – harmony vocals ( Eloda)
Rhett Miller – harmony vocal (Someday)
Dave Alvin – electric & acoustic guitars