Lucinda Williams - Essence (CD)

The Destination

By Cherryll  Jun 28, 2002

Car Wheels On a Gravel Road was almost a concept album, a journey across the south leaving bad relationships. This album is about the lost emptiness after the end. From the status qou Lucinda Williams sets in "Lonely Girls" to the bitter forgivness... of "Broken Butterflies" there are a lot of finalities in this album. It is probably her sadest album to date, but it is also her most beautiful.The emotions on Essence are the rawest we have seen from our songstress. Even in her love songs like "Steal Your Love" the title track there is an uncontrolled edge that surpasses even Sweet Old World in their absolute honesty. "Essence" tears songs like "Breathe" and "Still the One" (both by so called Diva's) assunder with sheer lust, with both a voice and lyrics that will leave you trembling in your britches. This album has a journey all its own, but it is more a life journey than a physical one. The first 8 songs take you through finding love and leaving it behind again. Then finally the protagionist finds herself on a quest to put her life on track, first by searching her pentocostal roots, then seeking both the forgiveness and the ability to forgive that this spirituality requires.Musically this is Williams' most subtle and complex album. The Hammond B Organ has always been one of my favorite instruments, and this album comes very close to making Reese Wynans my favorite person. From the stripped down plunks on "Lonely Girls," to the waves of "Out of Touch" to the almost catholic hymn of "Broken Butterflies," this album is proof of the sheer emotional force of a beautiful instrument in the hands of someone who knows how to really work it. But even outside of the beauty of Wynan's work the complexity of this album is awe inspiring in its mix of genres to create possibly the first ever acid-alt-country-blues album. The raw beauty of Lucinda Williams voice stands out in stark contrast to the over polished sound of mainstream music today. This album takes that voice to new hights and brings out its best. Like most of Williams' albums this is not a cd that stands out on the first listen. Like Car Wheels, the songs, at first sound the same until the story shines through and then each song reveals itself as the distinctive chapter it is. Read more Less