There are albums that are meant to entertain. There are albums that are meant to be great background music – be it as driving in the car or chilling out with friends. And there are albums like Lincinda Williams’s “West” that are meant to be devoured – every note and every word. Listen to “West” you really need to be alone, free from any distraction, and to digest each and every word Lincinda Williams sings. Perhaps the most personal album ever made by Williams, it is inspired by her mother’s death as well as a relationship that ended badly. Lyrically, it is simple and beautiful. In “Mama You Sweet”, we have “Ocean becomes tears – that ebb and flow – over the lines in my face – and the pain in my soul – and pain hits a wall – and doesn’t know which way to go – and ocean says I’m crying now – and tells pain to follow”. Musically, some tracks are hauntingly powerful like “Unsuffer Me” and “Come On”.
I first noticed Lucinda Williams with her previous album “World Without Tears” that without doubt one of my favorite contemporary folk albums of all time. How does “West” compare to “World Without Tears”? I guess “West” is a whole lot more intense while “World Without Tears” may be more enjoyable to listen to, music-wise. My only reservation with “West” is that it can get a bit dreary towards the end. After all, the album is close to 70 minutes of length with a somewhat narrow theme. (For comparison, click onto the links to view the live performances of “Bleeding Fingers And Broken Guitar Strings” and “World Without Tears” from her previous album.)
Below is the official behind the scenes of the recording of “West” from the artist who is a three-time Grammy Award winner and named as “American’s Best Songwriter” by TIME magazine in 2002. The song “Are You Alright” is the opening track of “West”. Enjoy.
There is another track from “West” that was performed in the Jay Leno Show recently. Click here to view “Everything Has Changed”.