KBCS Presents: Kelly Willis w. guests *partially seated

Kelly Willis is Back Being Blue, to take a color-coded cue from the title of her seventh album. Its a shade she wears well, though long-patient fans might just say: You had us at back. Theyll take a new Willis record in whatever hue it comes, now that its been 11 years since her last solo release, 2007s Translated from Love. The Austin-based singer/songwriter has hardly been MIA in the intervening years, having recorded and toured as part of a duo with Bruce Robison. But shes setting the duet Mm.Oo. aside for do-it-alone mode, at least as far as the spotlight is concerned. (Robison hovers just outside it this time, as producer.). Hers is a solo voice again, but its not necessarily sotto voce: This is an album of songs about lonesomeness that also happens to be a cracklingly good time.