The Perlich Post: Expanded vinyl issue of the Kelly Willis alt-country gem "What I Deserve" on the way

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Expanded vinyl issue of the Kelly Willis alt-country gem "What I Deserve" on the way

Omnivore marks the 25th anniversary of the Kelly Willis classic "What I Deserve" with an overdue vinyl issue boasting five bonus live tracks!

Here's the scoop from Omnivore HQ...

25th Anniversary expanded edition available on CD and for the first time on vinyl. Both formats include 5 live bonus tracks.

While gigging in Austin, Texas, in the late 1980s, Kelly Willis developed a strong fan base. Among her fans were other Texas musicians like Lyle Lovett and Nanci Griffith. Griffith introduced her to producer Tony Brown who signed Willis to MCA Records. Soon, she would find herself in the films Thelma And Louise and Bob Roberts, as well as receiving a nomination as Top New Female Vocalist at 1993’s Academy of Country Music Awards. After three records on MCA, and an EP on A&M, Willis finished her fifth release and signed with Rykodisc, who released What I Deserve in 1999.

Featuring originals by Willis, three co-writes with The Jayhawks’ Gary Louris, and songs by Paul Kelly, Paul Westerberg, Nick Drake, Dan Penn, and more—What I Deserve became her highest charting album to date, hitting #30 on the Country charts and #24 on Heatseekers Albums. It is also now revered as a landmark release in Alternative Country and Americana circles—with good reason.

To celebrate its 25th Anniversary, What I Deserve returns—expanded with five previously unissued live performances of songs from the album recorded November 14, 1999 on Mountain Stage. In addition to an expanded CD reissue, the release sees its first appearance on vinyl as a double LP! In addition to the 17 tracks (appearing on both formats), the packaging contains lyrics and new liner notes from Peter Blackstock (No Depression, Austin American-Statesman), all done with Kelly’s approval.

What I Deserve has always deserved another look and listen for those who may have missed it the first time—what you deserve is to lose yourself in Kelly Willis’ incredible What I Deserve and celebrate 25 years of this landmark album. Pre-order a copy of Omnivore's expanded reissue of What I Deserve directly from the label right here.

Watch the release trailer and a couple of Kelly's performances of songs from the album (including a lovely rendition of Nick Drake's "Time Has Told Me" from a Sessions at West 54th show back in 2000), a more recent Live at the Levitt stream, a 1992 appearance with Jerry Jeff Walker on The Texas Connection and an informal chat about nothing in particular with fellow singer/songwriter Jack Ingram from 2022 below.