The Little Willies
The Little Willies
Album: For The Good Times
Released: 9th January
Rating - 4.5/5
It has been six years since The Little Willies released their debut album bit this week sees the five piece return with another collection of great country covers.
Norah Jones has delivered some great solo records in recent years and she reunites with Lee Alexander, Jim Campilongo, Richard Julian and Dan Rieser to put a new take on some country classics.
And while sometimes an album of covers can be seen as a little lazy For The Good Times really is a triumph as it brings some classic songs from this genre to a new audience.
And The Little Willies are not afraid to put their own stamp on these songs the opening track of I Worship You for example has been given an electric sound - something that really does work really well.
And while they may be delivering their own versions of these songs they are all done in a tasteful and respectful manner - I found this to be a really easy listen and it really is an upbeat record.
Having said that the record is not without some moving performances as the likes of For The Good Times is a song that is filled with regret and heartbreak - it really is a beautiful cover.
Another positive is Norah Jones is not the star of this band she as she shares vocal duties - her duet with Richard Julian on The Lovesick Blues is particularly good; their own vocal styles compliment each other beautifully.
And it’s good to see Jones move away from her Jazz origins as she shows that she is a very versatile performer.
They are no afraid to tackle songs from well known artist as the likes of Wide Open Road by Johnny Cash and Jolene by Dolly Parton are also covered.
Wide Open Road is given a more country sound that the original while Jones equals Parton’s version - which is supported by some great piano work from Jones with Campilongo on guitar.
This is a great collection of covers from The Little Willies that they have made sound like an album of original records - something which has to be applauded. However I would like to see their song-writing skills on show and for them to produce an album of their own songs.
The Little Willies: For The Good Time is out now
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw