Lucinda Williams - Blessed
Blessed is in many ways the quintessential Lucinda Williams album. Arriving March 1 via Lost Highway, the follow up to her '08 album Little Honey brings her acclaimed songwriting skills to a new level of emotional resonance while digging deeper into the gritty alt-country that she has helped pioneer. Blessed, Williams says, is not only the title of her tenth studio album, it's also the theme. Introspection on life and love and thoughtful remembrances permeate the album, most notably on the two that deal with loss: "Copenhagen", penned for her late, longtime manager Frank Callari, and "Seeing Black", a song that addresses the tragic suicide of songwriter Vic Chestnutt and features Elvis Costello on a ragged, devastating guitar solo.
Blessed, co-produced by veteran Don Was (Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan) and the team of Eric Liljestrand and Tom Overby, who handled Little Honey, still has its share of bluesy barstool rock and twangy spunk as exemplified on lead track "Buttercup". Described as "the only 'bad boy' song on the album" and with Williams doing her best slurred Jagger swagger vocal, the song simply, effectively packs a sonic and emotional wallop. "Kiss Like Your Kiss", meanwhile, a lovely slowdancing waltz of a ballad featuring Elvis Costello on harmonies, is a powerful showcase for Williams' weary, tear-stained vocals and the tender "Soldiers Song" speaks powerfully of the emotional toll taken on an enlistee and his family. Note: a deluxe version of the Blessed will include The Kitchen Tapes, a collection of the original demos for the album recorded at Williams' kitchen table.
Lucinda Williams -"Buttercup" (from the album Blessed)
Lucinda Williams - "Kiss Like Your Kiss" (from the album Blessed)
Photo Credit: Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
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