My 50 Favorite Albums (continued)
Long time readers of this blog know that I really love Lucinda Williams. I've seen her live a few times and that is a powerful experience. She combines country, blues, gospel, and rock into a great sound. And her words are raw and honest. She is the real deal.
I had a hard time picking a Lucinda record for the top 50 because there are three that I love Car Wheels, Essence, and World Without Tears. Each has something unique and special. Essence is the quietest and most calming of the three. World Without Tears is raw, honest, brutal at times, and the most powerful.
But afer listening to a lot of Lucinda this week, I have to pick Car Wheels on A Gravel Road as this week's Top 50 selection. It was the first Luncinda record that the Gotham Gal and I got into and I think its her best. It's the most consistent and most listenable record she's ever made.
And it's got my all-time favorite Lucinda song on it which is Still I Long for Your Kiss. Speaking of that song, Rhapsody has a live version of Still l Long for Your Kiss that was recently released as a single along with her new live record, Live At The Fillmore.
Give them both a listen if you've got Rhapsody.
That one is on my list, too... It was the first Lucinda Williams I ever owned, so it does have a soft spot... besides being a wonderful collection of songs. She's a poet.
Posted by: Dave! | May 13, 2005 at 10:45 AM
It's the only Lucinda Williams I own. I know nothing about her - but I love this album. I don't even know how or when I got it, but I guess I got it in the days when I used to buy a lot CDs on spec. Now I'm playing it!
Posted by: Ivan Pope | May 13, 2005 at 10:58 AM
The real deal......yes, I quite agree.
Posted by: jackson | May 13, 2005 at 12:50 PM
great record. goes on forever and i love every song. That back to back with Emmylou's record with Lanois...Wrecking Ball. Got them both in the car right now.
Posted by: charlie crystle | May 14, 2005 at 11:08 AM
Another food choice for your list! I have seen Lucinda several times and it has alwayws been great (especially a few years ago at the Fillmore).
Lucinda was a family favorite and we have a family vacation where we were singing Car Wheels the whole trip.
If you like Lucinda, you might like Mary Gauthier who I had the pleasure of seeing recently.
Go on Rhapsody and listen to the song 'Mercy Now'. I promise you will enjoy it!
Posted by: mark | May 16, 2005 at 12:47 AM
I've been stuck on Lucinda's cover of Mississippi John Hurt's "Angel's Laid Him Away" which is available on Peter Case produced "Avalon Blues" tribute album. She has a phenominal voice indeed.
Posted by: Tony Alva | May 16, 2005 at 09:21 AM
I absolutely ADORE this album. It is as perfect as albums can get, in my book.
Posted by: scott partee | May 20, 2005 at 07:30 PM
No doubt about it, Lucinda is the real deal. But if you really want to "get real" and you want to hear more in the vein of Lucinda, you MUST listen to Mary Gauthier and her 1999 release "Drag Queens in Limousines".
Posted by: Mark | June 06, 2005 at 12:37 PM