One More Time/The MCA Recordings (Remastered)
One word describes this overview of Willis's three years with MCA Nashville: maddening. Willis has everything: a flawless, classic country voice; a dreamy face; a shrewd eye for catchy but complex material; and a rock-steady band. Nashville and country radio should have been ready for her earthy sophistication and guileless talent; they weren't--she never cracked theBillboardTop 50--but neither was the shy, stubborn Willis ready to compromise. From 1990 to 1993, her MCA run left some fresh, exciting country music. Her biggest hit, "Baby Take a Piece of My Heart," only hints at the fiery "Little Honey" (written byDave Alvin), the effortless swing of "Heaven's Just a Sin Away," the Bakersfield-flavored "Looking for Someone Like You," and the irresistible "Take It All Out On You" (cowritten by husbandBruce Robison). In her own way, and on her own terms, Willis has made it outside of the Nashville majors. These 14 songs are indelible reminders of just how much they missed.--Roy Kasten