On the Road Again
Live Reviews:

Lucinda Williams
October 14, 1998
The Phoenix, Toronto, ON

Although it's brilliant songwriting that's earned her well-deserved reputation, the most striking thing about Lucinda Williams in concert is her rough-hewn, utterly distinctive voice: A little hoarse, a little woody, darkly confessional at the bottom of her range, and occasionally threatening to go a bit flat at the top. It's charming, affecting and - like everything else she does - it's got real character.

But there were plenty of other striking things about her latest Toronto show, like a musical eclecticism (endemic to both Austin and Canada) that generously and authoritatively embraces folk, country, blues, soul, pop and rock under a canopy of "roots." Like her two guitarists, the flashy Ken Vaughan (who looks like a professorial version of Buddy Holly) and the more workmanlike John Jackson (who looks like a road rat), both of whom provided stellar accompaniment, burning and smoldering as required. Like the casual confidence of a roadworthy artist and her band emanating from the stage.

Highlighting the best new songs from her excellent new Car Wheels On A Gravel Road album, Williams was relaxed and joking between tunes, though her usual obsessive perfectionism led to a lot of techie consultation as well. Dressed in black, from her cowboy hat to her leather jacket to her belt, jeans and boots, she thrilled a jam-packed Phoenix from the git-go to the encore.

And kudos to Phoenix booker Enzo Petrungaro, who generously offered the opening slot to longtime Toronto singer-songwriter Scott B after the planned opener canceled. Showcasing the superb songs from his upcoming album (Hey, E-squared! Hey, Rounder! Hey, Stony Plain! Wake up, smell the coffee and PUT THIS OUT NOW!) Scott shone with tasteful, minimal accompaniment from guitarists David Baxter and Gary Robertson, as well as backing vocalist Linda Feijo.

A great night all around.