Lucinda Williams – Car Wheels On A Gravel Drive (1998)

Lucinda is a slow developer, her albums are often a few years apart, and though born in 1953 she was 26 before releasing her first album, a very traditional country blues album.  But it was only in 1998 at age 45 that she had her real breakthrough with this very accomplished record, her fifth in19 years.  I have always had a penchant for ‘girl singers’ and ‘Americana’ – that strange mix of the heartache and yearning of country music and the best of slower rock and blues, which I think is the best music to come out of that complicated country.  I have bought just two others of her albums, both excellent, but not taking me in quite the way ‘Car Wheels’ did.  Lucinda has suffered from Spina Bifida and recently had a stroke from which she has recovered – but she has a fierce determination and continues to write, record and occasionally perform.  Best on this great album are impossible to choose, but I do love the title song, ‘Greenville’ and the splendid ‘Lake Charles’.  There is something in her voice that tugs at the heartstrings and I love it. Maybe I will buy another of hers…