Lucinda Williams looks “West”
Posted in Americana, Legends, Music Releases, News, alt.country on December 9th, 2006
From the press release:
NEW YORK (Billboard) - Loss and loneliness are at the core of Lucinda Williams‘ largely down-tempo album, “West,” the singer/songwriter’s first release since 2003.
The disc, slated to be released February 13 via Lost Highway, finds the Grammy winner coping with another painful breakup and the passing of her mother, whom she reminisces in songs like “Mama You Sweet” and “Fancy Funeral.” In such songs as “Come On,” “Learning How to Live” and “Everything Has Changed,” Williams again deals with heartbreak.
“The songs deal with a chapter in my life and they definitely tell a story,” Williams told Billboard.com. “It’s probably been the most prolific time in my life as a writer. I’d been through so many changes — my mother’s death and a very tumultuous relationship that ended badly — so obviously there’s a lot of pain and struggling, but it ends with a look toward the future.”
Featuring the Jayhawks’ Gary Louris, celebrated drummer Jim Keltner, longtime Bob Dylan bassist Tony Garnier (both of whom played on her “Essence” disc) and Williams’ longtime guitarist Doug Petibone, “West” was co-produced by Williams and Hal Willner, whose credits include Elvis Costello, Lou Reed and Bill Frisell, who also guests on the “West.”
But “West” is not a completely somber affair. “Mama You Sweet” is upbeat and “Come On” is a nasty, almost raunchy kiss-off, musically akin to “Atonement” from 2003’s “World Without Tears.”
She injects doses of hope and light in tracks like “What If,” in which she imagines a world where the president wears pink and a prostitute is a queen.
“I get tired of people looking at my songs and feeling that they’re all sad and dark,” she said. “There’s more to them than that. Some people might read Flannery O’Connor and see that as simply dark — and it is dark and disturbing — but there’s a philosophical aspect, even a comical aspect to it as well. I think that’s all there on this album. It’s a full circle, like I’ve come through a metamorphosis.”
Pitchfork has a fine 
The Long Way Around and Other Short Stories
is the first solo release from Nashville veteran session bass and string player Spady Brannon. For the last three decades then man has established his bonafides by touring with Crystal Gayle and Reba McEntire, and recording with Tammy Wynette, Eddie Rabbit and Phil Vassar. He’s penned hits for Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers (”Real Love” “Think About Love”), Trisha Yearwood (”I Did”) and Highway 101 (”Desperate Road”) and Roy Orbison. He even scored a European hit for one time ABBA vocalist Agnetha Faltskog with “Once Burned Twice Shy.”
After winning the best album for “Childish Things” and best song for “We Can’t Make It Hear”
Musical legends have teamed up to play on Jerry Lee Lewis’ latest album. Bruce Springsteen is the latest to sign up to guest on the album, with three Rolling Stones also set to feature. Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Little Richard, Merle Haggard and Jimmy Page complete the line-up of guests.
I was at this show and I can testify it was a great freakin concert!