For your viewing pleasure this week, I'm serving up a little Lone Justice with the hit single "Ways to Be Wicked," from their self-titled 1985 debut. Although this is one of my favorite songs from the '80s by one of my favorite underrated bands, I'm sending this one out to Chelene, who recently asked whatever happened to Maria McKee and mentioned this song. Check it out and read on for more...
The first time I saw this video, I just fell in love with Maria - strictly in a Robert Smith why-can't-I-be-you sort of way. I just thought she was so darn pretty, had the most perfect hair and, of course, one hell of a voice. She helped me to not get too caught up in my obsession with Nancy Wilson's oversized blazer-over-bustier look, which I was never brave enough to try in public anyway, by making me wish that I was cool enough to cultivate her Varsity jacket-over-flowy dress and tennis shoes look. Maria only stuck it out with Lone Justice for two studio albums, both of which I own, before striking out on her own in 1989.
So, here's the scoop for Chelene and anyone else who's interested. My gal Maria's solo career is still rolling along. She's certainly not a household name, but she's never compromised her musical integrity and still has a devoted following. While some of her solo work has been a bit too mellow for me, I would recommend the excellent You Gotta Sin to Get Saved to anyone. Whatever kind of music you like can be found on the record - rock, country, folk, pop, soul and even a bit of gospel. It really doesn't matter what Maria sings though, because her soaring, theatrical voice will just knock you down. Her last record, Peddlin' Dreams, was filled with very sparse, acoustic numbers that showcased her gorgeous vocals, but from what I've heard of Late December, the new CD just released in April, it seems that Maria is bringing back a little more of the soul that made You Gotta Sin to Get Saved such a treat.
The first time I saw this video, I just fell in love with Maria - strictly in a Robert Smith why-can't-I-be-you sort of way. I just thought she was so darn pretty, had the most perfect hair and, of course, one hell of a voice. She helped me to not get too caught up in my obsession with Nancy Wilson's oversized blazer-over-bustier look, which I was never brave enough to try in public anyway, by making me wish that I was cool enough to cultivate her Varsity jacket-over-flowy dress and tennis shoes look. Maria only stuck it out with Lone Justice for two studio albums, both of which I own, before striking out on her own in 1989.
So, here's the scoop for Chelene and anyone else who's interested. My gal Maria's solo career is still rolling along. She's certainly not a household name, but she's never compromised her musical integrity and still has a devoted following. While some of her solo work has been a bit too mellow for me, I would recommend the excellent You Gotta Sin to Get Saved to anyone. Whatever kind of music you like can be found on the record - rock, country, folk, pop, soul and even a bit of gospel. It really doesn't matter what Maria sings though, because her soaring, theatrical voice will just knock you down. Her last record, Peddlin' Dreams, was filled with very sparse, acoustic numbers that showcased her gorgeous vocals, but from what I've heard of Late December, the new CD just released in April, it seems that Maria is bringing back a little more of the soul that made You Gotta Sin to Get Saved such a treat.
Comments
Good times!
...and fortunately/unfortunately, it's the Taylor Dane version. Though I love Miss McKee's version just a little more.
"A Good Heart," which Feargal Sharkey (former singer for the Undertones, early punk guys) covered, was a big hit in the UK, smaller hit here.
(2) I assume you're referring to the Nancy Wilson from Seattle, not the one from Columbus?
I LOVE this song!!
Another favorite is "Wait Til We Get Home".
Awesome!!
Barbara - Why can't I be Robert Smith? I'm wearing the fuzzy suit!
Bubs - That's so cool. Was the jacket fringed? Please tell me it was.
WP - To repurpose a Taylor Dane-ism, "tell it to my hand." There's no way her version could even come close to Maria's!
Johnny - Yeah, I love that song from Pulp Fiction. She's like a female John Hiatt...well-known in the industry (and people who just don't listen to Top 40) and often covered but not a household name.
X.Dell - I'm not sure I know of a Nancy Wilson from Columbus! But yes, I'm talking about Ms. Wilson of Heart.
Loraloo - Glad I could remind you!
Cube - Yeah, she's fab.
Turnbaby - Ah! I never got to see them live. I had a tape of them on the MTV New Year's Eve special, and I can't remember what year it was, but it must've been 1986. I have no idea what happened to that tape.
Gary - "Dixie Storms" was actually on their second record, Shelter.
I seem to remember that when Lone Justice first came out, MTV propped them fairly heavily. Mark Goodman said that Maria's sound reminded him of Stevie Nicks...no argument there.