Lucinda Williams - Sweet Old World
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Free Music Notes for Sweet Old World
Free Music Review: Underappreciated masterpiece
Hit: 5 Stars
Face it, *nothing* was going to live up to Lucinda's '88 self-titled disc-- and for good reason: "Lucinda Williams" (the album) is just about as perfect as albums come. When "sweet old world" was released 4 years later, everyone saw it as a let-down. But, SOW has plenty of its own charms... it's a darker, more resigned record than LW. It sounds like the blues finally "got to her"... the blues seems to have won this round, and Lucinda writes and sings some truly harrowing tales. The album is loosely focused on suicide, and in a broader sense, loss in general. Unlike most albums that mine this dark territory, this disc manages to remain totally uncliched and stubbornly unsentimental. Lucinda writes with such honesty and unflinching detail, they are sparse, straightforward and touched with true beauty. Ultimately, it lacks the cathartic, life-affirming tunes like "Big Red Sun Blues" and Passionate Kisses" that tempered LW, but that's sort of the point. That said, the title track is the best song about suicide ever written. It's stark, sad, and lovely-- like the album itself.Free Music Review: Totally underrated!
Hit: 4 Stars
While the critics were going goo-goo ga-ga over "Car Wheels On A Gravel Road," and desevedly so, it was hard not to notice that this overlooked album is a much better listen in the long run. Not as obvious as Car Wheels, it sort of sneaks up on you like a slow burning fuse and finally explodes with emotion and Lucinda's somewhat understated delivery of a fabulous bunch of songs. Songs like "Sweet Old World" and "Little Angel Little Brother" just don't come arou d every day, and the entire album is up to that standard. Is it country? Sure, but you need not be a country fan to enjoy it. Is it folk? Absolutely. Rock and Roll? Without a doubt. But mostly, it's blues, although not in the traditional sense. It just gives you that same feeling you get after listening to some great blues tunes, yet with a stronger sense of melody. If you like any of Lucinda's work, or are looking for a good introduction, you can't go wrong with this totally underrated release.Free Music Review: Loneliness, Desire and Passion ooze from every byte
Hit: 4 Stars
If one tries, it's easy to find fault with Sweet Old World, and Lucinda Williams in general. Her vocals are no match for the likes of Sarah Brightman, Barbra Streisand or Audra McDonald; and thank goodness. I sure as heck don't want to hear these ladies (all gifted singers by the way) covering the blend of pop, rock, county, blues and gospel of Sweet Old World. Her gently wavering Louisiana drawl colors each song with a lonesome rural melancholy. Composer, singer, musician and producer is a tough act to pull off. Lucinda is triumphant in all categories. The band (including pedal steel, mandolin, dobro, Hammond organ and fiddle) are tight: they can be counted on to raise the barroom roof, or squeeze tears from a turnip. Besides providing a tantalizing backdrop for Lucinda's tales, the band never gets in her way.The album opens with a bouncing rocker about a poet (or lyricist?) whose love may as well be six hundred miles instead of `Six Blocks Away.' At first, `Something About What Happens When We Talk' seems like a song about friendship, until the last line when she sings "Well, I can't stay around 'cause I'm going back South/But all I regret now is I never kissed your mouth." The love songs (This Sweet Old World, Pineola, Prove Your Love) pass the point of lyrical narratives into the realm of first-person confessionals. Yes, they're tearjerkers for certain. Her cover of Nick Drake's `Which Will' personifies loneliness and hope. After hearing `He Never Got Enough Love,' my perspective of young trouble makers is a bit different. It doesn't matter if `Little Angel, Little Brother' is autobiographical or fictional, Lucinda's compassion is invincible.
Far for the sentimental atmosphere of Sweet Old World is the raunchy `Hot Blood.' For any guy who has ever wondered if girls have similar thoughts, the song is an eye opener. Don't miss it. Lucinda Williams is at her best on Sweet Old World. Loneliness, desire and passion ooze from every byte.
Free Music Review: Correction
Hit: 5 Stars
Sweet Old World is just as good as any of Lucinda's other records, particularly the songs "Six Blocks Away" and "Sidewalks Of The City". I just want to clear up the misconception about "Little Angel, Little Brother". It is not about suicide. Lucinda's little brother was alive and well last I heard.Free Music Review: The second example of Lucinda Williams perfection.
Hit: 5 Stars
SWEET OLD WORLD was the second Lucinda Williams album I bought. While the album doesn't rival 1988's LUCINDA WILLIAMS, most artist never release an album that is half this good. There was a shorter wait between records (4 years compared to 8 years before). Lucinda turned down an RCA contract in 1991 so she could have creative control, thank goodness she did. SWEET OLD WORLD is a masterpiece, the songs are more daring, and the performances (vocally and musically) aren't any less spectacular than that on LUCINDA WILLLIAMS. "Six Blocks Away" is exceptional. The song is masterfully arranged, and flawlessly executed. "Something About What Happens When We Talk" is outstanding, with a majestic performance. "He Never Got Enough Love" is ground-breaking, she tells a compelling story that is absolutely flawless. "Sweet Old World" is goregous, as she tells a story about the effects of suicide, and she makes us believe the world isn't so bad after all. "Little Angel, Little Brother" tells an interesting story, in a less straight-forward manner. "Pineola" is excellent. Its almost a cousin to "Changed The Locks" in musical terms. The lyrics describe the effects suicide has on friends and family, with a realistic performance from Lucinda. "Lines Around Your Eyes" is magnifiscent country-rock, should have been a hit single. "Prove My Love" is a goregous love song, told with a tender vocal. "Sidewalks Of The City" is fantastic, as she tells a story about waliking in the city and what you experience. The song has a similar feel to "Side Of The Road", but the lyrics are completely different. "Memphis Pearl" drags things down a bit, but the story in the lyrics is again compelling. "Hot Blood" has a great music feel. The cover version of "Which Will", is brilliant, a tender love song. While SWEET OLD WORLD isn't as exceptional as LUCINDA WILLIAMS or CAR WHEELS ON A GRAVEL ROAD, it is as daring. Fantastic album, the second example of Lucinda Williams perfection.