Lucinda Williams live

Notec, I have a higher opinion than you do of her recent studio albums, but I generally agree with you regarding her concert persona. There is a contradiction between the allegation of perfectionism and her self-deprecating monologues and false starts that reveal the seams in the fabric in concert. She represents her touring as a work in progress, and invites the audience to share and identify with her flaws perhaps even more than her strengths. In this sense her persona is not so different from what drew the simpler audiences of the past to identify with country music stars as everyday people. The difference these days is that the audience is more gentrified, though perhaps no less gullible.

BTW, a similar cult of personality follows Billy Bragg's ego in concert.

Hm, gave up on Lucinda after Car Wheels on a Gravel Road. All that false bravado and faux warbling not my cup of tea. She's one of those legends for the sake of it type.

Thank goodness, I was beginning to think I was alone. I've never been able to warm up to Lucinda, though I have tried. Saw her live during the "gravel road" years at Merlefest and didn't like her at all. The only thing gravelly on that day was her voice.

I agree, I liked her earlier recordings. Gravel road was excellent. However, IMHO so much of her later work including Live recordings sound like she is either tired. bored or stoned.

"car wheels" is the one most people cite, and i agree it's a great record, but it's also probably her most conventional singer-songwriter fare. i prefer "essence" and "world without tears", where she more or less invents her own style--minimalist, raw and hyper-emotional. not many artists choose to be less polished and ambitious with succeeding releases, and i give her credit.
i'll also second notecs nod to kathleen edwards, who does slightly prettified version of lucinda very well--her records are excellent.

Again, what you are witnessing on the road is her very serious narcotic habit and her depression in its varying stages. It is actually quite sad but it is not a "put on" or a "contradiction" in the usual sense. Rock and roll is full of male artists who have gone through long stretches of subpar performance because of drug habits ( which frequently enhance their persona). Ryan Adams comes to mind. Another troubled artist with great talent but you really hold your breath when you go see him live cause you never know what kind of shape he's going to be in. Lately he seemed sober and he has been fantastic. I agree that Lucinda Williams has not been at her best for several years now and I agree that there are other , better choices to see live. However, she is as talented as any and if/when she gets it together she will be right back on top. - Jim