Lucinda Williams

[AlmostMe]

So I just went to a show that I bought tickets for that included The Waifs, The Avett Brothers and Lucinda WIlliams on the ticket. I'd heard a little bit of the Waifs, and I know that they're alright, and i hadn't heard Lucinda Williams before, but the Avett Brothers are one of my favorite bands of all time, so I thought what the hell and went.

The first two acts of the show were the Waifs and the Avett's, in that order. The two female lead singers for the Waifs had great harmonies, and their voices traded off well on many songs. The brunette played the hell out of some harmonica and earned a place in my heart for that, and the blonde had a beautiful, sultry voice. Good show.

The Avett Brothers show was a study in frustration. Amazing show, they played two songs off their new EP, both of which were fantastic, one of them was an acoustic duet between Seth and Scott (I know someone on these boards likes them, I remember it from the "Best Albums of 2007" thread) and 1 song off their upcoming LP. The hard part about the show was the fact it was a seated concert. I've only ever seen them in bars and open venues, and not able to move I probably looked like I was having a seizure in my seat. They are touring with a cellist now, and it's SO awesome when he and Bob get at it on the Cello and the Bass with their bows, WOW! Their set ended on "If It's The Beaches" which was SO awesome.

Real reason I started this thread was to bitch about the Lucinda WIlliams set. Seriously, this bitch READ her songs from a music stand like some two-bit karaoke act. My first concert I've ever been to where the artist didn't know THEIR OWN SONGS!!! Has anyone ever seen this? Her voice sounded like she took a few drags off some meth and then smoked like 20 packs of smokes. Think Janice Joplin if she lost all musicality and memory. Sorry if this seems off topic in an OR board, but I was all pumped up to see OR and the Avett Bros in one summer, in Oregon for Christ's sake, that the Lucinda Williams show was a huge let down. My wife and I left 4 songs into her set. Either way, I needed to vent to a community of individuals that appreciate good music, so I came here. Take it or leave it.

[suzanne78704]

So sorry you hated Lucinda. I've loved her since her first record came out. My sister and I used to do some of her songs in our band. It helps to be familiar with her work. Granted her voice is ragged after years of touring and hard livin', but "West" is an amazing record IMHO. She does as much with four chords as Will Sheff does.

She does have issues with stage fright and confidence. I've seen her throw a f'ing hissy fit because the wind turned the pages and she lost her place.

Love her or hate her, it's all subjective as it is with any artist's work.

[ManekiNeko]

that sounds pretty stupid.
if someone cant even remember their own songs, they shouldnt play live

[AlmostMe]

I just talked to one of my friends that was at the show. They waited out most of the set, but I guess there was a HUGE exodus of people about 3 songs after us. So much so that she was on the stage whining into the microphone along the lines of "Where are you all going? Why is everyone leaving?" I guess she was wasted stumbling around the stage and stuff. Talk about a complete lack of professionalism, these tickets started at 36 dollars per. I'm all for a performer having a few beers while they're playing, but keep it together til after the set at least.

[justplainzach]

(I know someone on these boards likes them, I remember it from the "Best Albums of 2007" thread)

I think that's me! I love love love them Avett's.

[Christel]

that sounds pretty stupid.
if someone cant even remember their own songs, they shouldnt play live

Lots of people use lyric sheets. Bob Dylan and Lou Reed are two that come to mind I've seen recently. Brian Wilson has a teleprompter. But it's not just the older folks like Lucinda ... (ahem) Will Sheff has had a sheaf on a stand, as well (I love alliteration ).

I'm not making excuses for Lucinda Williams. Her shows are annoyingly erratic, to put it mildly, but I can pretty much guarantee she wasn't drunk. She has a pancreatic illness. Sometimes that affects her show (most times it is her mood, though).

[ManekiNeko]

that sounds pretty stupid.
if someone cant even remember their own songs, they shouldnt play live

Lots of people use lyric sheets. Bob Dylan and Lou Reed are two that come to mind I've seen recently. Brian Wilson has a teleprompter. But it's not just the older folks like Lucinda ... (ahem) Will Sheff has had a sheaf on a stand, as well (I love alliteration ).

I'm not making excuses for Lucinda Williams. Her shows are annoyingly erratic, to put it mildly, but I can pretty much guarantee she wasn't drunk. She has a pancreatic illness. Sometimes that affects her show (most times it is her mood, though).

you are right, but there still has to be some sort of good performance.

[EtLaLicorne]

...My mom likes Lucinda Williams?

[Cedric]

(I know someone on these boards likes them, I remember it from the "Best Albums of 2007" thread)

I think that's me! I love love love them Avett's.

ooh i'll second that.
at least i know i liked emotionalism a lot!

[mattkbrooks2781]

So sorry you hated Lucinda. I've loved her since her first record came out. My sister and I used to do some of her songs in our band. It helps to be familiar with her work. Granted her voice is ragged after years of touring and hard livin', but "West" is an amazing record IMHO. She does as much with four chords as Will Sheff does.

She does have issues with stage fright and confidence. I've seen her throw a f'ing hissy fit because the wind turned the pages and she lost her place.

Love her or hate her, it's all subjective as it is with any artist's work.

I have always wanted to see her live. Her Live @ The FIllmore album is really good. Plus, she is an amazing songwriter. I still might go see her this summer.