Sierra Ferrell does not miss.
The queen of Appalachia does it again, this time covering a classic. Time and time again, Sierra Ferrell has proven she can sing a wide array of genres, from The Beatles to Sam Cooke; she has the vocal range that can do it all.
Ferrell laid down a new cover at a recent show, an all-time classic: “Willin’.”
“Willin’” was written by Lowell George when he was a member of the Frank Zappa-fronted band Mothers of Invention. However, he did not record the song until he left the band and formed Little Feat. The song was released on their self-titled, debut album, and then later re-recorded for the group’s second album, Sailin’ Shoes. The re-recorded version of “Willin’” was considerably more successful than the first version. While “Willin’” was technically never released as a single, it is undoubtedly the most widely-known song from the group.
Sierra Ferrell put a bluegrass twist on the track in Santa Fe, New Mexico. With the three players in her band, they all stand around a microphone and deliver the lyrics to the crowd.
“We are going to try and do this one. This is something I’ve been listening to a lot recently, and we thought that we’d try to do it. So, if you know it, sing along with us. Join us for the harmonies.”
The impromptu cover is stellar, given that it sounded like it was thrown together quickly before the show. After Ferrell sings the first few lines, audience members holler as fans recognize the song.
“And I’ve been from Tucson to Tucumcari
Tehachapi to Tonopah
Driven every kind of rig that’s ever been made
Driven the back roads so I wouldn’t get weighed
And if you give me; weed, whites, and wine
And you show me a sign
I’ll be willin’ to be movin’”
Vocally, Ferrell is flawless as always, and it is always a treat when she pulls in her bandmates for a song, as their harmonies are angelic.
One day, I hope we get a cover album from Sierra Ferrell, but honestly, she could probably sing the phone book, and I’d still listen and rave about it. Fire it up.