AMERICANA

Songwriter, poet adds to legacy Lucinda Williams’ new album is Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone By Tom Geddie WHEN TIME MAGAZINE ANOINTS YOU, You’ve caught a glimpse of it in The album sounds fine. The “There were always a lot of makes me move up and move it sticks. For a long time. Maybe not the one line, one phrase, or the emo- music and arrangements are fine. other poets at the house. We’d on. Because I have to write. I W tional idea that’s come to you. Williams’ voice is in fine form. have writers over and sit around can’t deal with not writing. I’ve Wdetails, but the general impression. Ten or The fear for me is always, “Am I The words are fine. Only one and have drinks. got to have that. I have to have so years ago, that national mag named Lucinda going to be able to capture that? small quibble: if she’d get rid of My dad would often read a that edge, that thing, or what- Can I build a fence around that unnecessary repetition of some new poem that he’d just written, ever it is that pushes me into that Williams its songwriter of the year. horse?” A Lucinda Williams song of the lines, the 20 songs would and I would sing some songs. creative place.” It’s a BS honor, of course, but former Austin resident that the always does. have fit easily onto one disc. That was a fairly regular thing. I Williams basically doesn’t do nevertheless an honor. Who’s to sound of her voice “is so over- Words come naturally to the got feedback, which is of utmost interviews. My request to her say who’s the best songwriter? whelming and so moving that New CD daughter of the prominent poet importance when you’re learn- management company didn’t Williams? Dylan? Cohen? Among she could sing the phone book HER NEW ALBUM IS DOWN and educator known by some for ing. I had this immediate, intel- even get a “no way” in response. the Texans, Van Zandt? and probably give it meaning.” Where the Spirit Meets the Bone, a the poem he read at President ligent audience. Plus, I spent a In 2002, she wrote a wide- Newbury? Clark? Shaver? Toss The more important sen- two-disc, 20-song collection of Clinton’s second inauguration. lot of time sitting around just ranging, first-person article that your own choices into the mix. tences followed: blues-and-southern gospel- She began writing when she was listening, observing, and absorb- touched quite a bit on writing Williams has produced a “But she comes up with ex- flavored folk-pop with a cover six years old and playing guitar ing things through a kind of os- songs. Here are some excerpts: body of work that stacks up with traordinary words for that voice drawing of a knife piercing a when she was 12. mosis.” “There’s this whole myth that all of those. Let’s just settle, to sing . . . Lucinda writes from a heart. The poets.org website found There’s often a strong sense surrounds the idea of though, on acknowledging that very personal standpoint, and Inside, a quote from her fa- both Miller and Lucinda at the of place in Williams’ songs, a songwriting. You know, you’re she is very good. Like those other that can be difficult. When you ther, the poet and literature pro- Poetry Center of Chicago in 2004, welcome reality that her father sitting on the edge of your bed, folks. go that close to the bone, you are fessor Miller Williams: “Have where they traded poems and acknowledges. drinking Jack Daniels, depressed She had such a string of al- always risking bathos — or be- compassion for everyone you songs, quoting her as saying that “My poetry and her songs, as shit, and you’re writing. That’s bums overloaded (?) with great ing corny or cloying. She plays in meet even if they don’t want it. Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited you could say they both have never worked for me.” songs — often bitter, ironic, and dangerous territory, and some- What seems conceit, bad man- was a major influence. dirt under the fingernails. In my “The perfect man? A poet on otherwise edgy that when she times you’re not sure she’s gonna ners, or cynicism is always a sign “He was the first artist who writing, I try to get down to the a motorcycle. You know, the kind came out with an album filled pull it out.” of things no ears have heard, no actually managed to incorporate nuts and bolts of living, and who lives on the edge, the free with sweet love songs, it was And, “Songwriting can be a eyes have seen. You do not know both of the worlds I came out of, there’s no question that Lucinda spirit. But he’s also gotta have the almost a disappointment. It’s the very frightening thing. For me, what wars are going on down which was the more traditional does that, too. Her music is not soul of a poet and a brilliant edginess some of us like the most. the fear is about failing to follow there where the spirit meets the folk music of America and the abstract. There’s real sweat in mind. So, you know, good luck.” For example, the title song the scent of a lyrical idea, failing bone.” poetic, literary world. That’s every song.” “I love that Bob Dylan song on Williams’ 2004 album World to come up with the truth of These two give you an idea when I decided what I wanted to That article also quoted Wil- ‘Ramona.’ I love that song. without Tears begins like this: something that you know is there. where she’s gone with this one. achieve,” she said. liams as saying writing is “what ‘Ramona, come closer, shut softly “If we lived in a world with- your watery out tears eyes.’ Watery How would bruises find eyes. That’s The face to lie upon writing. And How would scars find skin that’s what’s To etch themselves into missing in a lot How would broken find the of writing today. bones” People would just say ‘eyes’ in- Grammy winner stead of ‘watery THAT’S THE KIND OF WRIT- eyes.’” ING — coupled with her perfor- “There are mances on the recordings — that good people ev- have earned Williams three erywhere. Even Grammy awards and 15 nomi- in the music in- nations since 1993: best country dustry.” song for “Passionate Kisses;” best “It’s easier to female rock vocal performances write songs for”“Can’t Let Go,” Get Right with when you’re God,” and”“Righteously;” best single.” contemporary folk album for Car “I don’t have Wheels on a Gravel Road; best the vocal range female pop vocal performances that I’d like to for “Essence;” best female coun- have. That’s one try vocal performances for “Cold, of the reasons Cold Heart” and “Lately;” best that I started contemporary folk albums for writing songs. I Essence and World Without Tears; didn’t want to be best solo rock vocal performance seen as a singer. and best rock song for “Come I figured if I On;” best song written for mo- wrote my own tion picture, television, or other songs, my voice visual media for “Kiss Like Your wouldn’t be the Kiss” from “True Blood;” and main focal best Americana albums for Little point.” Honey and Blessed. “Why The awards are nice, of should I listen to course, and are valuable market- whatever, when ing tools. It’s always good to see I can listen to quality work recognized; that John Coltrane?” doesn’t always happen. “Apathy and It’s the songs themselves — complacency and the hearing them — that are the kiss of count the most. death. There’s Time turned to cliche when just no excuse the author wrote of the Lake for that.” ■ Charles, Louisiana, native and She is scheduled to perform at the Majestic Theater in Dallas on November 5: Lucinda Williams 10 BUDDY NOVEMBER 2014