Wonder Women of Country: Willis, Carper, Leigh
When Willie Nelson sang, “The life I love is making music with my friends,” he was thinking of folks like Kelly Willis, Melissa Carper and Brennen Leigh. The three women, who have typically worked as solo artists and whose music has always hewed more traditional than trend-hungry, played separately on a number of bills before Willis suggested working together. After forming a band and fielding frequent questions about an album, the trio came up with some new songs, repurposed a few old ones, and gave new life to a John Prine/Roger Cook classic. The result – Wonder Women of Country: Willis, Carper, Leigh – is a gorgeous dive into old-school country feelings from three artists who’ve poured their souls into the songs.
Wonder Women of Country was recorded in Austin, but it begins a little farther west. “Fly Ya to Hawaii” began as Leigh’s enticement to a fellow songwriter to join her on a tropical vacation. When the dummy declined, the song sadly sat unfinished before her fellow Wonder Woman, Carper, helped nail it down. The result is a fun, fizzy invitation, full of steel guitar (via Chris Scruggs) and the occasional yodel, that never quite makes the journey – “But I ain’t got a hundred dollars/For the airplane fare” – but sets up a lovely imagined future – “Then we could dream about Hawaii/For our honeymoon around this time next year.”
Each of the three artists take turns in the lead. Willis’ choices are centered around heartbreak. To that point, “Another Broken Heart” started as a song co-written by former duet/life partner Bruce Robison before Willis added a bridge – “Now I need a way to recover/And maybe you know/You know somebody” – a chorus, and honey-smooth vocals, plus a Geoff Queen steel guitar line and an acoustic solo from Leigh. “A Thousand Ways” is a little bouncier, guided by a Ginny Mac organ riff, while Willis asks a not-for-long partner to put in the work – “You never seem concerned/My love is always spurned” – while also suggesting the alternative: “I think it won’t be long and/I’ll be gone gone gone.”
Carper’s contributions hang closest to old-school string band music. With a lovely Dobro intro from Queen and Carper’s trademark stand-up bass, “Won’t Be Worried Long” has the Wonder Women acknowledging the healing power of a good tune – “I’m getting out my Loretta Lynn/’Cause I’ve been feeling a little lonesome” – and sweeping away the blues – “You had a worried gal singing a worried song/I’m worried now, but I won’t be worried long.” Leigh’s second song, “Hanging on to You” (which was originally recorded by Carper), pays tribute to valued people and moments – “You’ve got the charm of an old love song I haven’t heard in quite a while/Played just for me, it’s our story coming across the AM dial.” Sweetened by the trio’s harmonies, it plays not only as a love song, but as a warm celebration of three friends making music together.
Song I Can’t Wait to Hear Live: “I Have Met My Love Today” – C’mon, now – it’s a Prine song, fronted by Carper, with lovely three-part harmonies. What else could I possibly pick?
Wonder Women of Country: Willis, Carper, Leigh was engineered by Steve Mazur and Curtis Clogston, mixed by Mazur and mastered by John Baldwin. Musicians on the album include Melissa Carper (lead & harmony vocals, upright bass), Kelly Willis (lead & harmony vocals, rhythm guitar), Brennen Leigh (lead & harmony vocals, lead guitar, mandolin), Ginny Mac (accordion), Timmy Campbell (drums), Geoff Queen (Dobro, steel guitar), Chris Scruggs (steel guitar).
Go here to order Wonder Women of Country: Willis, Carper, Leigh (out March 15): https://wonderwomenofcountry.myshopify.com/collections/all
Check out tour dates here: https://wonderwomenofcountry.com/