Originally released as a promotional item to coincide with the inclusion of the song "Fading Fast" on the Boys soundtrack, collectors' frenzy to obtain this four-song EP led to its commercial release -- but only in Texas. The excitement generated by the EP is easy to understand; this is simply the best music
Kelly Willis has ever made. Joined by
Son Volt's
Jay Farrar on three tracks and the band 16 Horsepower on a fourth,
Willis turns in impeccable performances on some of her strongest songwriting efforts yet (
Willis wrote or co-wrote three songs; the fourth was penned by husband
Bruce Robison). The loose, country-rock vibe doesn't detract from her viability as a commercial country artist, but boosts her appeal to the No Depression crowd considerably. Every song here is an absolute gem, and it's shameful to think that three-fourths of these tracks were nearly doomed to obscurity on a promotional CD.
Fading Fast offers an excellent and inexpensive introduction to
Kelly Willis, and it's a must for her fans. ~ Greg Adams