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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…
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.
That is so beyond belief that LW played 4 Strong Winds… Wow–I would have loved to be at those rehearsal sessions! Anyone got a copy of this in mp3 format to share? I know it’s a reach!
Well, this author hits it in on the head, here. What a great review… “Few artists do disheveled as spectacularly or as charmingly as singer/songwriter Lucinda Williams…her Jube appearance made it clear that the odd stumble is just another cool part of the package with this strange lady. Well written for sure!
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/local/story.html?id=f398c905-af35-44ad-a5be-8b5aafb00be4&k=43068
I would like to hear anything pre-CWOGR. Seriously. Real Love and Honey Bee, etc just don’t hold up to the lyrics/music/emotionality when held side-to-side. It will be interesting to see the responses err-flame responses from the cheerleaders…
Hmmm, ax to grind? Not really. Allow me to introduce myself, I am a man of wealth and taste. Pleased to meet you. Hope you guessed my name, but what’s puzzling you, is the nature of my game. No ax to grind, silly, just a dialed in ear and an honest realization of what is a good performance… Standards, you see. It’s OK that every show and tour is not the best, really. No need to be defensive–you may not be a cheerleader but you sure sound defensive. Maybe LW is just plain tired of the road. I know I would be…
David
“The remainder of the show’s first half was a bit more subdued, however, alternating from the syrupy singing and lilting guitar solos of Steal Your Love to the impassioned optimism of Tears of Joy; from the ode-to-suffering People Talkin’ to the bittersweet ballad Jailhouse Tears (cut as a duet with Elvis Costello on the new disc, but given the torch-and-twang treatment by one of her bandmates yesterday).”
This certainly sounds like (and I hear it as) reviewer-speak for a dip in the show’s momentum. I am not a fan of “syrupy singing” nor “lilting guitar solos.” Not good descriptors, really of a hot performance. But then again I am not a cheerleader on this board.
Thanks,
David
Stoger (I assume that is just an online name):
Here is a review of the Winnipeg show complete with a mini-setlist. Sounds like more of the same re: similar song selection and relatively uninspired performance. Looks like she could use a much deserved rest at the end of this leg…
http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/W/Williams_Lucinda/ConcertReviews/2008/11/08/7347146-sun.html
Enjoy,
David
Honestly, what the heck does “has regrettably been canceled due to circumstances beyond the
control of Lucinda Williams and Secret Service Entertainment” mean? Does it mean ticket sales, bus failure, or wardrobe malfunction? Why the short notice? Any more 411 available or is it too confidential? Some thing relatively simple I would hope…Great question: An enhanced double-bill could really make a difference. Look at Neil Young’s latest dream bill: Wilco and NY! And I do remember the LW dream bill: Jayhawks and LW or how about The Bottle Rockets and LW–I was there a few times, too! And then there was the Alejandro Escovedo bill!…
Hey Tom:
Love the idea of a poll. But, how about adding a question or two regarding her new “sound” and “direction” in terms of Little Honey and the emerging rock/blues backplane? Some of the questions/line of questions seems a bit redundent (with all due respect of course!). Really, great idea-the poll!
I appreciate your persepctives, Tom. Well said, and yes, I do respect the fact that you are a self-admitted LW can do no wrong cheerleader. Good for you for that bit of self-awareness. Diverse viewpoints are what makes everything worth while…
Or could it be that, as several have postulated in this forum, that her current sound and set-lists are causing quiet protests that are resulting in low ticket and record sales. She’s been touring for sometime now and I am afraid that the market for her shows/Little Honey is now saturated. David Byrne is doing everything only over the internet (record sales, concert promotion, the whole sha-bang) and he is regularly selling out shows at 2500 seat theaters ($65 a ticket). Conversely, I remember when LW would tour, it was a sure sell-out for her “cult-like” fans. Now, I am really afraid that the market is truly saturated with everybody being a “fan” while her music veers off into the land of southern-rock and away from its original roots. I still am and always will be in love with her music and words. Unfortunately, the business at hand is just that, a business complete with financial consequences… Come to Portland as you haven’t done for several years: with the right double-bill, I am sure you could sell out the Merrill Theater because its not saturated here, in this secondary market (last time was a Jayhawks/LW double-bill when before TO was managing). And, I will be thinking of the first time I saw LW at 1st Ave in 1989 this week as she broadcasts from there–she blew my mind then and she blows my mind today.
This is great and thank you, IJ/TomO hooking us up at 1st Ave. Here’s to hoping that it’s gotta better live vibe recording than L@TF…It’s a smaller room with a denser live sound so it’s got a great chance of being outstanding. And, I am confident that our collective voices are being heard in terms of older LW classics for the second set. My bet is at least 3 pre-1998 tunes! Here’s to hoping for Sharp Cutting Wings (A Song for a Poet).
Wow. I agree Lefty and IJ/TomO to be honest with you, my “BS detector” goes off when I read your posting. A few markers are of concern here: Many of us are silently protesting vis-a-vis not attending concerts. Many others are not in love, as you are, with LWs new material. Ticket sales are down. I would be stressed, too, with the release of Little Honey looming and in the shadow of the big sales of Essence and GWOGR (West not being all that strong?). It appears that lots of money could be potentially on the line in terms of LH projected sales. Maybe such tension would explain the over-talking approach you sometimes bring to the discussions. Finally, Real Love cannot be held in the same light as Right in Time, I Envy the Wind, CWOGR let alone the classics such as Side of the Road, Big Red Sun Blues, Lake Charles or the beast of them all Sharp-Cutting Wings (Song to a Poet). I love hearing LWs voice through and in her music not through others on this discussion board…
