My first exposure to Lucinda Wiliams was in 1998 while I was driving on the 52 Freeway in San Diego, CA. The DJ for KPRi 102.1 introduced Williams’ song, “Can’t Let Go,” (off her Car Wheels on a Gravel Road album) and said something like, “I like this song, but not sure about the rest of the record. I don’t see what the fuss is all about.”
Well, I ended up liking what I heard and hastily scribbled her name down on a piece of paper to remind me to pick up her album the next time I had the chance. Turns out I did see what the fuss was all about… and so did the Grammys, awarding Car Wheels on a Gravel Road Best Contemporary Folk Album for that year. I’ve been a fan of her work since that day in San Diego, and I always look forward to her records.
Last week she released her ninth studio album, Little Honey. The 2000′s have been quite prolific for Williams, as this is her fourth album in just eight years. Just to give you an idea of how prolific this century has been for her: it took her practically twenty years to release her first five albums.
Little Honey is quite a detour from her 2007 album, West. Where West was drenched in misery, Little Honey is, for the most part, an upbeat listen. Not since Car Wheels has she sounded this raw and energetic. But don’t fret if you’ve never heard any of her past albums, the great thing about Little Honey is that it showcases the many sides of Williams and feels incredibly balanced.
The album jump-starts with an all-out rocker, “Real Love,” complete with a false start (I love it when artists do that on albums). I found myself saying, “Hell yeah!” and holding myself back from hitting repeat.
The album rolls along nicely from song to song, but there are a few highlights that I’d like to hit…
… one of which is “Well Well Well,” which sounds like it came right out of the muddy banks of the Wishkah. “Well Well Well” is a great example of why I love the Americana/Alt. Country genre so much. The country influence is obvious, but the sound is so dirty that it reminds you of your favorite rock, punk, or blues record. I actually did hit repeat here and listened to “Well Well Well” a good three times before moving on.
The very next track, “If Wishes Were Horses,” is a gorgeous piece that features a piano solo that reminds me that slow and steady is always the best way to play. In this song about heartbreak, Williams sings, “If wishes were horses, I’d had a ranch.” I think that line sums up how we all feel when we’ve been hurt.
Wish I could somehow make it go away, I wish you understood.
Simple words, but I’m sure all of the broken-hearted in the world can relate. That’s one thing I’ve always admired about her lyrics: the simplicity. She rarely uses huge metaphors or concepts, but writes in such a straightforward manner that her lyrics seem to transcend what she’s saying.
Or maybe it’s her voice that lifts the lyrics to another plane. She just keeps sounding better and better as time rolls by. Check her out attacking the mic on “Honey Bee,” or how naturally soulful she is in “Knowing.” She even pulls off AC/DC’s “It’s A Long Way To the Top,” which closes the record. Here’s a singer who knows what she’s singing because she’s most likely lived every word in every song.
My favorite track has to be “Heaven Blues.” There’s nothing complicated to it. The song centers around three chords and really doesn’t do anything more than those three chords, but maybe that’s why it works so well.
The studio chatter at the start of the song makes you feel like you’re sitting in the session as the song takes shape and form. I’ve always been a fan of studio chatter because of this very point. As a listener, I dig feeling like I was part of the process.
I love how she writes,“I’ll understand when I get to Heaven.” Like I said before: so simple yet speaks volumes… it IS the blues, after all.
Little Honey is definitely her most accessible album since Car Wheels on a Gravel Road. It’s less focused, but better balanced that her past few albums. I’ve been spinning it all night and unless I force myself to put something else on, this week’s Top 5 Most Played Songs list will be chock full of Little Honey songs.
Be good.
Amazon Search: Lucinda Williams
Your Dig-It Downloads:
Honey Bee
Heaven Blues
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What an interesting find. I am being productive at work today (for the most part) so I can’t listen but I am looking forward to checking it out when I get home. I was amazed at how many albums she has released, that is dedication. I also love the fact that you said that “Little Honey” was so different from “West.” I love when an artist can give you that range of emotions and still make great music. As always, thanks for the music.
Great downloads! Heaven Blues is nice! I thought it was a bootleg when it first started :) Very cool. This was a great read – will definitely check out the album (I’m very curious about the whole false start thing on Real Love). Gracias!
“Heaven Blues” – Sweet.
The other? well… not so sweet, despite the title. Sorry :)