Little Honey

by

Lucinda Williams

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Lucinda's ninth album contrasts with the downbeat nature of "West" in being a generally a more upbeat collection; it comes as a bit of a surprise to learn that most of its songs were originally written for "West" (though "Circles And Xs" dates back to 1985 and "Well Well Well" to the Sweet Old World days of 1992).

"Little Honey", however, stretches Lucinda's already eclectic musical envelope even further beyond the approved boundaries of country and Americana.

She's retained West's engineer Eric Liljestrand as co-producer (with Tom Overby) for Little Honey, and there's real high-octane chemistry in the support crew, which mostly comprises her latest crack road band (now collectively known as Buick 6), including among its ranks guitarists Chet Lyster and Doug Pettibone, bassist David Sutton and drummer Butch Norton; additionally, keyboardist Rob Burger (who'd played on the "West" sessions) returns to gently fill out the textures some more.

In the 30 years since her first album, Lucinda Williams has become known as one of the most expressive, emotive singers around, her country-blues voice cracked through with heartbreak. She's still crying, but this time it's tears of joy over her marriage to manager Tom Overby. Yet this is no saccharine outpouring: "Honey Bee" is a stomping, fearsome ode to her lover, while gorgeous lament "If Wishes Were Horses" recalls earlier pains.

"Little Honey" is a very physical album, though it still keenly (and sensually) expresses that quality of introspective spiritual heartache that has made Lucinda one of country music's most enduring songwriters of our time.

It kicks off with the rock power of "Real Love". That's followed by "Circles and Xs": It's classic country blues as is the next track "Tears Of Joy", a soulful groove, 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.

Warm fuzzy horns and distant guitars gently wash over the eight-minute sprawl of "Rarity", a prolonged low-key assault on the senses, leading into "Plan To Marry", a Joan Baez-tinged reflection on love's vagaries.

Having lulled us into the mood of these melancholy musings, Lucinda then lurches off down a rockier road with a swaying and strutting take on AC/DC's "It's A Long Way To The Top".

Strangely less so is the duet with the ubiquitous Elvis Costello.

The song "Jailhouse Tears" - two quirky voices in perfect symmetry -

is perhaps just too campy and obvious.

Highlights :"If Wishes Were Horses", "Tears of Joy" and "It's A Long Way To The Top".

Lucinda Williams has been on an incredible creative spurt in this decade. After releasing only 5 albums in 20 years (1979-1998), this is Lucinda's 4th studio album in just this decade (5 albums altogether when you include the "Fillmore" live album from 2005). In early 2007 Lucinda released the devastating "West" album, dealing with the passing away of her mother and relationships gone south (a common theme to many of her albums). About 18 months later, Lucinda comes back with this release.

"Little Honey" (13 tracks; 64 min.) brings a more uplifting mood of Lucinda, now apparently in a happy relationship (her producer). The album starts off with a rousing "Real Love" but after that, it becomes a very uneven affair, regretfully. Case in point is "Tears of Love", a lazy song that goes nowhere, as is the case with "Jailhouse Tears", which sounds like a throwaway song. The acoustic-driven "Little Rock Star" shines, though. The standout track on here is the 8+ min. slow-burner "Rarity", which reminds me of Lucinda of old. The album closes with a curious (and ineffective) cover of AC/DC's "It's a Long Way to the Top", it's not bad as such but it just makes me wanna reach back to the original AC/DC song.

In all, this is a very uneven album. For one, its running time is way too long. Cut out about 3-4 of the least effective songs and instead you'd have a much stronger set. That said, Lucinda Williams is a fabulous live act. I've seen her in concert before and I can only hope that I'll have a chance to see her on the tour supporting this album.