Search - Christy Mcwilson :: Bed Of Roses

A VERY pleasant surprise

jbesanko | Crofton, MD United States | 01/07/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I knew nothing about Ms. McWilson other than the fact that producer Dave Alvin would be joining her onstage the night I went to see her play at a local club...and what a great show it was! I immediately went out and purchased Bed Of Roses and liked the CD even better. McWilson has a wonderful voice--she reminds me a bit of Marti Jones--and the album kicks off with several excellent tunes in a row, especially "Serpentine River" and "Lila Jean"...The title track is excellent as well, and "Can't Stop A Train" may be my favorite song on the disc. Most of the cuts were written or co-written by McWilson, though "Darkness Darkness" is a Jesse Colin Young composition (which is just a little TOO dark for my taste)...Overall, an excellent slice of modern roots rock/alt.country--the kind of stuff you simply can't find on commercial radio any more. Highly recommended."

The Most Amazing Collection of Songs!

Matthew L. Cloner | Seattle, WA USA | 12/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard Christy McWilson sing "The Serpentine River" while I was driving my truck around the Seattle area one morning. The song was so amazing that I had to write it down and check out this singer on the web. I promised myself that someday I would buy this CD. Once I picked it up, I couldn't believe just how amazing it was. If Christy McWilson were a painter, her canvas would stretch a city block! Her songs are so strong and powerful that they seem to make the stories contained within them seem enormous in depth and scale. They empower their characters and the themes centered around them. The only question I'm left with is why isn't this talented woman a major recording artist? I've heard so much music over the years, but rarely have I ever listened to anything as amazing as the songs on this CD.

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Kick up your heels and cry

Sanpete | in Utah | 01/11/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"McWilson has a strong, clear voice with a country tear (as in teardrop). Her band, headed by roots rocker Dave Alvin, has a driving, tight Bakersfield sound with fuzzed guitar rock edges instead of fiddle; it kicks butt. With the catchy tunes and generally melancholy lyrics, it's a powerful bittersweet mix that cuts right through me.



Most of the songs were written by McWilson, who's been writing, playing and singing since the early 80s, mostly around Seattle for much of her career. (I'm on my way to look up her 90s work with The Picketts.) She slowed down to raise her daughter after this CD was released, but she's got a new self-released album here at Amazon (Martini's Mansion), and she's back to touring and recording with Alvin, as one of The Guilty Women. On "8:05," originally a Moby Grape song, Alvin takes the lead vocal, a deep soulful one, and McWilson adds the sweet harmonies. They're well matched.



Some songs make people think of early Linda Ronstadt; "True Believer" in particular has some "When Will I Be Loved" vibe in it. But this album has less of a pop feel. On more relaxed numbers like "The Serpentine River" and "The Sheep Song" McWilson recalls Judy Collins. "Can't Stop a Train," among others, makes me think especially of Laura Cantrell.



Alvin produced the album and plays (mostly) electric guitar; Don Heffington is on drums (up front in the mix, in the old Bakersfield way); Rick Shea is on acoustic guitar; Scott McCaughey (McWilson's husband at the time and frequent sideman for R.E.M.) along with Tony Marsico and David Jackson trade off on bass; and Peter Buck (of R.E.M.) plays several exotic electric guitars and electric sitar(!). Greg Leisz (who by coincidence I just saw playing lap steel guitar on a more jazz-oriented Joni Mitchell DVD--he gets around), Eric Danheim and Brian Kenney add more guitar sounds. Chris Gaffney plays accordion on three cuts. Leroy "Blackie" Sleep, who was with McWilson in The Picketts, and Jennifer Potter chip in backing vocals on one song each.



This CD's a steal at the prices you can get it for used and even new from other sellers through Amazon (less than a couple bucks plus shipping as I write this). If you like rockin' alt-country women, you can hardly miss."