I’ve been listening to some new music today, but something about The Bird and the Bee’s sophomore release, Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future, reminded me of a record I had to do a bit of searching for: 2003’s Come Get Some, by Willis. Back in the day, I helped promote a live music night called State of the Nation. It was high concept stuff: indoor camper vans, video screens, and a decided leaning towards the softer stripe of indie (despite our grand multi-genre claims) which wasn’t at the time much represented on the Birmingham music scene (and probably isn’t now, either).
Willis played State in February 2004, and what I saw of her performance was enough to persuade me to buy the record (released a few months before on 679), which turned out to be a genuinely tip top collection. In fact, I thought the songs better than the live show gave them credit for, and it was a sad thing when she wasn’t given the opportunity to record another batch. Her twisted country soul, alas, didn’t quite fit with what was happening at the time. Listening back to the record today, it’s as good as it ever was.
To which end, it’s encouraging to see she’s still making new music in much the same vein. Huzzah!
@Number 71 