In these strange days, ‘World Gone Wrong’, seems somewhat of an understatement. Lucinda Williams’ songs have chronicled the lives of everyday people, their struggles in love and in life.
She has never shirked away from the bigger issues in society. On her ‘Good Souls, better Angels’ opus, she laid into Trump in no uncertain terms, on ‘Man Without a Soul’
You’re a man without truth
A man of greed, a man of hate
A man of envy and doubt
You’re a man without a soul
All the money in the world
Will never fill that hole
You’re a man bought and sold
You’re a man without a soul.
She prophesied it was coming down, and it was just a matter of when. Sadly, he’s back, and Lucinda continues to hold him to account for the crimes and the turbulent times he has brought:
A lot of crazy stuff is going on in America with this President. Insanity, chaos, and confusion.
So she’s updated the theme of chaos created by Trump with ‘How Much Did you Get for Your Soul?’
Sometimes the mayhem is reflected through ordinary people’s lives.
In the title track, we hear a young couple fight to keep their lives afloat
She stares out the window and shakes her head
She can’t believe the things she’s read
She can’t believe what’s being said
Some days she can’t get outta bed
Come on, baby, we gotta be strong
Dark days are getting long
Looking for comfort in a song
Everybody knows the world’s gone wrong
Everybody knows the world’s gone wrong
And she assembles some wonderful fellow messengers to help carry the torch. No better artist than the wonderful Mavis Staples to duet on a terrific version of Bob Marley’s ‘So Much Trouble in The world’. Over forty five years since Marley first sang the song, it resonates with as much relevance as it did then.
It’s Williams at her rockiest, but there’s plenty of variety, from the mid-paced reggae of the aforementioned ’So Much Trouble in The World’ to the slow blues of the deeply affecting ‘Black Tears’.
Despite her recent health battles, her voice seems as strong as ever, and the messages are delivered in her strong, southern, frayed drawl. It’s a wonderful emotive instrument.
Its contrast to the soft, dulcet backing vocals of upcoming country star, Brittany Spence, is wonderfully done.
Even better is the contrast of William’s world-weary voice and the sweet, soulful sound of Norah Jones on the closer, ‘We’ve Come Too Far to Turn Around Now’, and the album’s mission statement:
We are here to bear witness
To this monstrous sickness.
In such a divided society as America, Williams will take some flak for her outspoken views, but this is one artist who shows no fear in singing truth to power. In truth, the call is not of rebellion, but of compassion and reassurance, that these days will pass, and better times will come again.