Album Review – Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis, “Beautiful Lie”
How hard could songwriting really be? Hell, you learned a few chords on the guitar in college, and if you had some more free time you could probably gnaw on rhyming a few lines of verse … or so you tell yourself. Then you hear an album like Beautiful Lie from the First Couple of Texas Country, and it’s so enriching and involved, you’re immediately demoralized at your prospects. It’s a good thing you pursued being the number one Allstate agent in your hometown instead, because songs of this quality can’t come from just anyone. And of course you still get to enjoy the work of your favorite songwriters and performers as a spectator.
Don’t try this at home. The fourth album pairing together the Texas music power couple of Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis is a veritable workshop on how to write songs, and select others out of the tome of recorded works like choosing the perfect wine to pair with an entree. And needless to say Kelly and Bruce comprise their own consummate blend of textures and aftertastes, so much so that it’s easy to conclude they would make the ideal collaborative duo even if they weren’t playing house together.
Bruce Robinson can’t help but be country, but not in the starched shirt, George Strait sort of way. It’s more folksy and earthen. Kelly Willis has that little touch of soul in her writing and singing, and brings this matriarchal care to all her efforts. Blend it altogether and you get most all of your musical taste buds satiated with Beautiful Lie—some honky tonk, some really great songwriting stuff, and a few surprises in between. And of course everything is rendered more endearing via two part Texas music harmony.
The new album includes a couple of classic ringers, including “One Dime At A Time” done most famously by Del Reeves, “Lost My Best” by Uncle Walt’s Band, and “Beautiful Lie” from The Amazing Rhythm Aces (who just lost frontman Russell Smith). These wet your whistle, but it’s the remarkably-written “If I Had A Rose” starting off the set that speaks to the type of delicate care quality songwriters bring to their craft. “Can’t Tell Nobody Nothin'” is a bit more plain-spoken, but still cunning with its country wisdom, and just as remarkable with its wordplay and perspective.
The upbeat country rocker “Brand New Me” hides a sad story, and might be the best in the lot. Along with Bruce writing a bunch of the songs for the record, Adam Wright—known for working with Alan Jackson and Lee Ann Womack—also contributes three tracks to Beautiful Lie. The album also has a bit of a Houston theme to it, with “Astrodome” co-written by Robison and Jack Ingram comprising one of the early favorites, and the final track “Heartache in Houston” stripping it all back to just Bruce, Kelly, and a little bit to steel guitar and piano, exemplifying and illustrating the stellar chemistry behind this singing couple.
Produced by Bruce Robison at his all-analog studio in Lockhart, Texas known affectionately as “The Bunker,” this is also where he’s headquartered his quality music reclamation project called “The Next Waltz,” which has produced many videos and singles to check out. Next Waltz regulars Geoff Queen (pedal steel, mandolin, electric guitar), Trevor Nealon (keyboards), Scott Davis (electric guitar, piano, banjo), John Michael Schoepf (bass), Joshua Blue (drums, percussion), Rich Brotherton (vocals), and others make up the backing band for Beautiful Lie.
With some of the record’s best songs being previously-heard material, it’s probably not worth getting too hyperbolic about this release, while it’s lack of a cohesive expression sonically or thematically may make it neither fish nor foul to some. But Beautiful Lie is definitely a sweet and sincere effort that will add positively to the work of Bruce Robinson, Kelly Willis, and their growing catalog of music together composing the storybook to their shared lives.
1 3/4 Guns Up
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July 17, 2019 @ 7:53 am
This one snuck up on me. I had no idea it was coming out. What a nice surprise. Brand New Me was previously recorded by Charlie Robison on High Life, where it was a standout track there as well.
July 17, 2019 @ 8:13 am
“High Life” is so underrated.
July 17, 2019 @ 10:32 am
It definitely is. I go back to it again and again.
July 17, 2019 @ 9:35 am
Thanks. I knew I had heard it somewhere before, but couldn’t put my finger on it and hadn’t had a chance to google it. lol
July 17, 2019 @ 10:05 am
Bruce released Brand New Me on From the Top
I think it was a download only album but that song stood out then back in 2010. Ibwas glad to hear Charlie cut it and glad Bruce rereleased it on this album.
July 17, 2019 @ 10:27 am
Well you learn something new every day. Thanks for this. I’m going to go try to track it down.
July 17, 2019 @ 10:38 am
What’s weird, I cant find any info on it. I have it, bought it when it came out. I saw him play a show at the Cactus and he played a lot of these songs and he played the Ballad of Houton McCoy. He released it for download only not long after that. But I cant find any info on it.
July 17, 2019 @ 11:36 am
I can’t find it either. On his website there is a download for “You and Me”, but I can’t find anything called “From the Top” or anything similar.
July 17, 2019 @ 2:46 pm
Here’s the track listing. I know it was only available for download because I waited a while to see if it would come out on CD. It did not, so I bought it directly off his website. I also notice that a lot of these songs have made it on other albums. I can’t find any info online but I do have this album and it’s the only one I see with Ballad Of Houston McCoy.
1.) All Mixed Up with Love
2.)The New Me
3.) Takin My Time
4.) Born to Roll
5.) Go to My Grave Loving You
6.) Ordinary Fool
7.) Lucky
8.) Waterfall
9.) Goodbye Good old Days
10.) Ballad of Houston McCoy
July 17, 2019 @ 7:05 pm
That’s wild. I was about to accuse you of hallucinating it. 😉 Maybe he’ll make it available again at some point.
July 17, 2019 @ 8:03 pm
He has the song listed as “The New Me” on the “You and Me” download, FYI. The rest of the tracks are different.
July 17, 2019 @ 9:38 pm
I was able to find this and it shows it was released in 2010. I was about to have to agree with you, I made it up :).
https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/bruce-robison
July 17, 2019 @ 7:57 am
Songwriting *is* easy. Good songwriting is the most difficult magic.
It’s hard not to enjoy the honesty and sincerity that goes into records like this. It’s why I’m into roots music to begin with.
July 17, 2019 @ 8:26 am
I gave up on both these artists. Neither have done anything really interesting in 15-20 years. When I first heard “Nobody’s Perfect,” I would have bet it was a hidden treasure overlooked in my Napster days.
This album feels inspired and focused.
July 17, 2019 @ 9:04 am
I personally wouldn’t write off the last 15-20 years of output from these two, but I will agree that this record feels like something different. There’s no going through the motions here, or trying to ride off their legacies. It’s surprisingly good. “Inspired” is a good way to put it. People should give it a shot, even if they see these names and think, “Been there, heard that.”
July 17, 2019 @ 10:12 am
I personally think he’s done a great job with output but can agree with not every album was all around great. Each had great songs but this album is pretty solid all around. If you take a step back and look at what Bruce is doing in the producer seat, hes really got something going there. He’s done a great job at helping the younger guys out and I see him like a Lloyd Maines/RWH type of guy now. He’s really focused on keeping country music going, whether or not it’s his songs.
July 17, 2019 @ 10:36 am
I think his work as a producer and with “The Next Waltz” has really helped him engage and get excited about music again. I’ve asked myself a couple of times, “What is ‘The Next Waltz’?” I think the answer is a way to foster enthusiasm and understand for music in fans and artists alike.
July 17, 2019 @ 10:48 am
That’s a good way to put it. I can see how this has the juices flowing. Now that he has a recording studio, he can really do things his way. The Next Waltz has some really good stuff and the vinyl he released for it is awesome. The mix is great and he got some really good artist to cut some great songs. Randy Roger’s singing Old Hat is a standout for me. Ben Kwellers Sawdust man is a truly underrated country album.
July 17, 2019 @ 10:57 am
*Changing Horses not Sawdust Man.
July 18, 2019 @ 6:34 am
Kelly Willis is a hometown girl of sorts here in Northern Virginia, as she spent her high school years here (Annandale High School, I believe). I first heard of her when WaPo did a big feature on her in the Style section around the time her second MCA album Bang Bang came out. That and her first album Well Travelled Love were two of my earlier purchases from the country section of the record store. Loved them and the third one (Kelly WIllis) was great, too. Then several years went by and her first post-MCA album What I Deserve came out in 1999. Bought it blind and merely liked it. Not the same fire of those first three. Passed on the next one (Easy), but then picked up Translated in Love in 2007. Chuck Prophet produced it and I love Chuck Prophet as a music artist. Was hoping for a more high energy affair, but once again, didn’t quite love it. I’ve since gone back and listened to those two albums and enjoy them more. Still, those first three MCA albums are my favorites. Personal taste, I guess.
I do really enjoy the last two Kelly/Bruce albums (Cheater’s Game, Our Year). A little lukewarm on Kelly’s Back Being Blue.
July 17, 2019 @ 8:36 am
Love Bruce. Saw him live at the cactus cafè like 10 years ago , just him and a doublebass player.One of my favourite concerts ever. He’s got his own approach to country music, delicate,witty and heartfelt.
July 17, 2019 @ 9:40 am
Man, this is great! One dime at a time makes me wanna grab my gal, go over to The Broken Spoke or Gruene Hall, or Billy Bobs and do some serious two-step. For real. Only problem is …we don’t live in Texas. But we’ve been there, and this kinda thing makes me wanna go back. These two make great country music, the way it ought to sound. And that pedal steel! Yeah boy! Real Deal!
July 17, 2019 @ 9:55 am
Definitely enjoyed this album
July 17, 2019 @ 10:48 am
Interesting in the album personell that Rich Brotherton in only on vocals. He’s one of my favourite guitarists, seems a waste.
I’ll be buying this when i see it somewhere. They are so talented
July 17, 2019 @ 11:56 am
I should probably know this and it’s probably a dumb question, but why do some reviews get a ‘guns up’ score and others get a number score (like a 8/10)? Not a big deal, just curious.
July 17, 2019 @ 12:02 pm
I purposely don’t want people to take the ratings too seriously, so I try to switch them up. That way it’s harder for people to compare ratings side by side. Ultimately it’s the review that gives the full encapsulation of my thoughts, though I recognize ratings can be helpful, and a quick way to recognize if an album is coming recommended.
July 17, 2019 @ 1:19 pm
Thanks for the heads up on this one. Didn’t know this came out already. I still love “Our Year”. The track “Anywhere but Here” is still my favorite tune they have done together.
July 17, 2019 @ 1:58 pm
Wow, there is definitely something special about this one. It’s got a low-key spiritual energy.
The sonic coloration and balance are, IMO, just perfect. Every instrument is “just enough”, doesn’t get in the way of anything else, just slides in to form a beautiful mix.
AOTY material? It’s early, but I won’t say no. Might just be a contender.
July 17, 2019 @ 7:37 pm
Finally got a chance to listen. Great, great album. Their best stuff in a while.
July 19, 2019 @ 11:22 am
I really enjoyed this one. Thanks for putting it on my radar.
July 19, 2019 @ 12:22 pm
Sounds awesome, love it. Thanks for reviewing it!
July 20, 2019 @ 7:25 pm
Kitchen music like real people make, not industry mannequins. It’d be nice to hear the live versions.
Thanks, Trig.