AFTER 30 years in the music business, a string of critically acclaimed albums and three Grammys, Williams is still something of an acquired taste.
Maybe it's her voice – red raw with passion – or maybe her songs are sometimes just too intense for many listeners.
Her ninth studio album is another masterclass of soulful country blues, but it finds her in more upbeat mood than last year's excellent West
It kicks off with the rock power of Real Love. That's followed by a song Williams wrote in 1985, Circles and Xs.
It's classic country blues as is the next track Tears Of Joy, a gorgeous stately stroll.
Williams is also a great lyricist and on Little Rock Star, she offers a stark warning on the wasting of talent.I don't know if she's even heard of Amy Winehouse, but this song could have been written for her.
Another highlight is Jailhouse Tears where Williams is joined for a duet by Elvis Costello. It's wounded humour is up there with Shane McGowan and Kirsty MacColl's face-off on Fairytale Of New York.
Knowing is a rich and wonderful ballad, matched and maybe surpassed by Rarity and Plan To Marry. It all finishes with the Stonesy strut of It's A Long Way To The Top.
Williams never has a problem with quality control, and she is ably supported by her excellent road band Buick 6. All in all, it is another album of sustained excellence.
9 out of 10
Do you agree?Comment below, email us:
nigel.thornton@ peterboroughtoday.co.uk.
Elsewhere online:
Lucinda Williams: Little Honey - The Sunday Times review.
Lucinda Williams official website - www.lucindawilliams.com.
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