Artist:     Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis

Album:     Beautiful Lie

Label:     Next Waltz

Release Date:     6.21.2019

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This fourth release from the Lone Star state’s leading Americana couple, Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis, is yet another in a line of duo releases that have especially colored the Americana genre this year. Timed to coincide with the summer solstice, it’s a breezy harmonious set of Americana and true country fare. Robison is issuing it on his own label and it was recorded in his all -analog studio just outside Austin. They are backed by Robison regulars: Geoff Queen (pedal steel, mandolin, electric guitar), Trevor Nealon (keyboards), Scott Davis (electric guitar, piano, banjo), John Michael Schoepf (bass), Joshua Blue (drums), Rich Brotherton (vocals), and Brian Standefer (cello).

This group has racked up plenty of hours in “The Bunker,” as Robison calls his studio. As for Next Waltz, it’s not only a record label but a web series featuring interviews, videos, and specially recorded songs, and other content that, according to Robison “sound and feels like authentic country music should.” This CD certainly falls into that category, but given the state of commercial country radio, these tunes will find their home on Americana airwaves.

If you feel that you’ve heard the title somewhere, it comes from the Amazing Rhythm Aces debut in 1975. There are also three originals from Robison and a co-write with Jack Ingram, “The Astrodome.” Other covers include the ballad “Lost My Best,” penned by Uncle Walt’s Band veteran David Ball and three from Adam Wright, one co-written with his wife, Shannon Wright, who also recently contributed several tracks to Le Ann Womack’s acclaimed The Lonely, The Lonesome & the Gone.

The opening “If I Had a Rose” delivers an immediate taste of the duo’s gorgeous harmonies. The first single and a Willis highlight is “Nobody’s Perfect,” penned by Robison, as well as the Ball ballad “Lost My Best,” depicting why Willis has been long regarded as having one of the sweetest voices in the genre. The other standout is the Robison/Ingram co-write where they sing of an older man longing for “the good old days,” a popular theme in today’s Trump America, even though the song is nostalgic rather than political. Another strong tune is Robison’s tender homage to their original home, “Heartache to Houston.” Excepting “Nobody’s Perfect,” their harmonies shine best on the ballads. Throughout, the backing musicians are totally in synch; everything flows flawlessly and seamlessly. Truth be known, all songs are solid; these mentioned above are the most memorable.

—Jim Hynes