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Maybe it’s time for Lucinda to stop touring for a year or two. Heck, get married, go on a honeymoon, start a family. Get away from the road for a while. Her two shows at The Fillmore had only 700 the first night and 400 the second night. (The venue’s capacity is 1,250). Maybe it’s the recession, higher prices, and over exposure in the Northern California market. Or, maybe being on the road so much has sapped Lucinda LIVE of its energy, passion and excitement. In many ways, her act has become a grind. There were far too many songs at the shows I attended this year (Saratoga, Santa Cruz and San Francisco) where she was clearly just going through the motions. Her new album is great! So her songwriting and recording have never been better. I’ll keep buying whatever she puts out. But I’ve attended my last Lucinda Williams concert. Thanks for the ride.
It seems more than true, PB and sadly so. Some of us in this forum have been “the monks pointing at the moon” in terms of reflecting on the fact that her shows have turned into a grind, her sound saturated, and her spirit, tired. Only the cheerleaders among us have maintained their cheerleading stance while the bleachers continue to be emptied. 400 at the Fillmore could be explained away by the economy, etc. However, bring in M. Ward, or Bright Eyes, or David Byrne, or El-Rayo X, or Los Lobos, or Wilco along with many others for a 2 night stand and the place would be full. So, the economy is a thin and flimsy excuse. This doesn’t mean I don’t love her music it’s just that I can understand she’s probably tired. It just “sounds” like she is. Thanks, for posting an authentic response and reflection.
Wow, sorry to hear that, Pit Bull. But, it’s funny how different people have different perceptions when seeing the exact same thing. I have a good friend who lives in the Bay Area who was at the Sunday night show. When I e-mailed him yesterday asking what he thought of the show, he responded, “It was one of my favorite Lu shows. It really shows that she’s happy these days.” (that is a quote). And he’s seen her at least 8-10 times over the last 5 years.
While I think both your & his responses (and heck, mine as well on shows I see) are both “authentic”, it just goes to show that we all see things from own own perspectives & with our own expectations and biases. I just hate to hear things like this from Lu’s fans.
And, selfishly speaking, I DO NOT want her to take a year or two off from touring! Furthermore, I would have loved to have been there in the Filmore both nights! 😉
Tom
Well, if she came back to the Calvin Theatre in Northampton, MA, that place would be sold out in minutes!
Well, it seems like she tours a lot on the West Coast, so maybe she’s saturated that market. I don’t know. The shows I’ve seen her play in the Midwest have all been well-attended. Personally, from a selfish standpoint I say the smaller and more intimate the venue, the better; of course, I know for Lucinda and company it’s ideal to be able to sell out larger and larger venues.
As for show quality, I think it’s been about steady in the three years I’ve been seeing her. Some shows blew me away and others were only pretty good, but I don’t really see a pattern there. I chalk it more up to night-to-night differences than any trend. While I like the new album, I don’t love it like her older stuff, so I have the opposite view in many ways: I think the fire and passion is still there, I just don’t personally like many of the new songs as much as I like others.
this is part of an email sent to me from a girl that’s been seeing lucinda since the late 80’s
“She was great on Sunday. In a good mood and having fun. It’s been a while since I have experienced her having such a great time. The band was great! They opened up for about an hour of all (but 1)instrumentals. They played Led Zeppelin’s Black Dog and I was transported (in the beginning) to 1969 when I saw (zeppelin) them in ’69. Pettibone is so great!! “
so guess it’s subjective….even without a recession, sunday/monday shows don’t usually sell all that well.
another possibility are the other shows in town that night…….like this friday when lucinda plays the wiltern, there are lots of people going to house of blues to hear aretha franklin/just the way it goes sometimes.the comment about staying home and starting a family was just lame and rude. i’d expect better from someone “who loves lucinda”
maybe the wife and girlfriend are gettin’ to ya? hahahahalucinda phoning it in is better then most acts out their on their best night.
as one who followed the dead around, hoping for the one great show in 10, i’m not giving up on lucinda. she deserves better from me.just my two “sense”, and if you want to call me a “cheerleader” then so be it. maybe i just look at the bright side of life (cue Life of Brian music)
I’m with you stella. That x-factor is not there every night, but when it is, there is nothing left to do but smile,smile,smile… I miss Jerry. Thank you Lucinda for helping to fill that musical void. Your voice touches my soul, your lyrics speak into my life, your music is a gift to me. Thank you for touring the way you do. Rest up and bring on that 30th anniversary tour!!! Let there be songs to fill the air… peace
PB and DiM –
I was at Lucinda’s show at the Fillmore on Sunday night and watched a great performance. I never saw anything that I thought was Lucinda “going through the motions”. I have only been a fan of Lucinda’s for the past 8 or 9 years, so maybe I don’t have the proper point of reference to be so negatively critical of her live performances, but I have absolutely enjoyed the 5 live performances I have seen.I am, at this moment, watching her 1989 ACL dvd. IMHO she is just as good a performer now (if not better) as she was then. I am not seeing anything that would make anyone say, “her shows have turned into a grind, her sound saturated, and her spirit, tired.” It’s not like she used to be more animated. She simply stands in front of the mic and puts all of her passion and intensity into her beautiful voice – then and now. For anyone out there who might be reading these previous posts and deciding not to see Lucinda live – her spirit is anything but tired!
My point of reference is much different, I guess. My favorite artist is Tom Petty. I have seen him on every tour since 1982. I have seen some great shows in 26 years, but lately all he plays are his greatest hits. His shows have become predictable and boring. If it wasn’t for him sharing the stage with Steve Winwood this past tour, I would not have spent my money to see the same old setlist. I guess my point here is that I know what it’s like to watch a performer phone it in. I have not seen Lucinda do that.
Lucinda’s shows are so good partly because she is so unpredictable. For her to play 2 shows at the Fillmore and play 2 completely different setlists, is commendable. She had to figure that some people in the audience would attend both shows. I just wish I could have. I wish I could have seen “Circles and X’s”.
PB and Dim – please tell us about how your favorite show and record are so much better than her latest shows and records and why you think Lu is so terrible now. What specifically did she used to do that she no longer does?
And DiM – try not to be so condescending. 😈 This is the second time I have read a post from you where you have supported a negative opinion of a show that you didn’t see and dismissed those who might disagree with you.Big “L”, little “u”, Lu, Lu! (cheerleading reference from a “rabid” fan – see previous response to Dim post)
there is nothing left to do but smile,smile,smile… I miss Jerry.
i miss jerry too………………….
thanks fuji81illbeyou,
Pittbull and David in Maine are long time critics of anything new Lucinda puts out. They find negativity in very positive reviews of her performances. You’re wasting your time responding to anything about what they write. That’s where they are, let them be there.
Steve
Ilbu and Steve:
I am not being negative or critical–just real. Been around for a few years–I know a good sound when it is presented. Although I appreciate your fanatical appreciation for all things LWs, it’s just all that–fanatical. I am not a cheerleader nor do I appreciate a sugar-coated cheerleader stance. But, I do enjoy reading your cheerleader-type postings–keep them coming! They help to keep me smiling…
I was at the Fillmore on Sunday night. I have a mixed opinion of the show. On one hand, I thought Lucinda’s voice sounded better than ever; it was missing that nervousness that I used to hear when I first saw her in concert (4 1/2 years ago). She was also looking at the book less than I’ve seen before. The book doesn’t bother me; it was just something I noticed.
At the same time, there wasn’t the same energy level that I’m used to. I don’t think she phoned it in at all; it just wasn’t the same. I used to live in L.A.; this was my first show outside of So.Cal. Maybe when she was in L.A. being home gave her more energy even if it was towards the end of a tour. Or maybe it was all the pot smoke blowing up on the stage from the audience at the Fillmore that mellowed everybody out! 😆 That doesn’t happen at the El Rey in L.A…at least up in the front.
As far as the numbers in attendance go, I would have been there both nights if not for the Ticketmaster fees. When the $30+ ticket becomes $50+, that is a second ticket that could have been purchased with just the Ticketmaser fees alone.
Good post Illbeyou. We live in the bizarro world now. Some naysayers, who as far as I can tell base their opinions on setlists or who knows what, say you’re not being real for enjoying a show you attended and liked. That makes you a cheerleader. I saw a great show Wednesday night. I guess there is something wrong with me too.
And if that’s what PitBull took away from the show he saw, it’s too bad he didn’t dig it as much. But he is not ragging on people who enjoy the shows.
Lucinda and the band are kicking ass.
Not going to see them because not as many other people are attending the gigs seems to be an easy excuse for not going to shows, especially when the shows are good.
Color me lame for not going to see the LA show tonight after seeing her play on Wednesday in Ventura. After all, it’s only 90 miles for me to go. I saw 4 of 5 of the shows at the El Rey. I have an excuse. Mike Campbell is playing six blocks away (okay 4.5) tonight. I’ll be yelling for Change The Locks. Trust me. If Campbell wasn’t playing, I’d be at the show in LA. I wouldn’t care if five or 1,500 people show. The Ventura show had a tame crowd but great music.
illbeyou,
See what I mean. David says “I am not being negative or critical” and goes on to be negative and critical. Not only of Lu, but of you and I who appreciate the music. Watch, well get a really long soliloquy about how terrible the world is and how poor our musical judgement is. Like I said its a total waste of time corresponding with them. I’m just egging them on because its almost comical. They do a good job of demonstrating themselves, and their intelligence.
Steve
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