November 23 to December 6
Car Wheels On A Gravel RoadI first heard from Lucinda Williams back in 1993 when she sang the beautiful "Main Road", sandwiched between two of the days big alternative stars, Soul Asylum and Pearl Jam. With company like that on either side, it was something to say that her rendition of the Victoria Williams song was a standout. The problem was she would not release an album of material for another five years, and a full six since the release of her last solo. But, 1998 brought "Car Wheels", and just in time.
With insurgent country still selling some copies, it was as good a time as any to release her fusion of folk, blues, country, and rock upon an unsuspecting audience -- and she certainly did find one. Practically mirroring the performance of Wilco's "Being There" in 1997, Lucinda has practically topped each and every year end list with this 13-track collection of excellent material. And while critics don't always say what we think, one has to take notice when they finally all seem to agree on one single album.
With that said, Williams' latest certainly delivers on its promise with a solid mix of the aforementioned styles, all wrapped together in one tidy package that is quite listenable from beginning to end. While no track seems to stand out alone on first listen, that's quite alright. One can be perfectly content to place this CD in the caddy and let it make it's run. While I wouldn't go on record and call it the best of the year, it certainly is a reputable entry into the y'allternative market, and one which will certainly find it's home in my CD player for weeks to come. Pick it up, you can't go wrong with this one.
1. Right In Time
2. Car Wheels On A Gravel Road
3. 2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten
4. Drunken Angel
5. Concrete And Barbed Wire
6. Lake Charles
7. Can't Let Go
8. I Lost It
9. Metal Firecracker
10. Greenville
11. Still I Long For Your Kiss
12. Joy
13. Jackson
Vince Guaraldi Trio is: