Track Listing

1. Are You Alright?
2. Mama You Sweet
3. Learning How To Live
4. Fancy Funeral
5. Unsuffer Me
6. Everything Has Changed
7. Come On
8. Where Is My Love?
9. Rescue
10. What If
11. Wrap My Head Around That
12. Words
13. West

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14929 in Music
• Released on: 2007-02-19
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 69 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Though the arrangements stray from Lucinda Williams's motherlode blend of blues, country, and folk, West may well be her best album. It is easily her most musically adventurous, and often her most lyrically inspired. Williams's singing has never sounded better, from the aching tenderness of "Where Is My Love?" to the ravaged catharsis of "Unsuffer Me." New York producer Hal Willner, who has worked with artists such as Marianne Faithful and Lou Reed, enlists the support of eclectic progressives like guitarist Bill Frisell, keyboardist Bob Burger, and violinist Jenny Scheinman, along with harmonies from the Jayhawks' Gary Louris, to weave a subtly rich sonic tapestry. Much of the material was inspired by the death of Williams's beloved mother ("Mama You Sweet," "Fancy Funeral") and the bitter breakup of a relationship (the jagged-edged emasculation of "Come On," the repetitive incantation of "Wrap My Head Around That"), though "Are You Alright?," "Learning How to Live," and "Everything Has Changed" could reflect the aftermath of both. Other highlights include "Rescue," with a languid subtlety and ambient pulse reminiscent of Beth Orton, and the dreamy, wistful title track. Where Williams's music has long cut close to the bone, the best of West slices right through it. --Don McLeese

Customer Reviews

Bold, concise, emotional - and exceptionally well produced
Lucinda uses her talents to perfection on this one. The songs about loss and lost love make this a true album effort. Learning How To Live digs itself deep into your subconsciousness right away. Wrap My Hand Around That may be a bit streched though. Where Car Wheels could still be classified as Americana, if such classification for Williams mix of folk, blues, rock, and some country is warranted at all, West really finds here on an island by herself. And I'm more than happy to listen to her on my own little reatreats in to good music. Granted, 4.5 stars might be enough. But given the previous reviews I really feel this needs a shot in the arm.

Unbelievable!
I am amazed at the controversy this recording has produced. I first heard 'Learning how to live' on one of those Radio 4 programmes where celebrities play each other strange tunes, and thought 'what on earth is this, it sounds godawful...' but over the next few days the memory of it ate into my subconscious and I just had to go and buy the CD. After a couple of listens, I now think the album is the best thing out for years. It is profoundly simple, hypnotic and gut-wrenching. What more could you want? The rest of Lucinda Williams back catalogue for starters.

Gone West?
This is a charming album of simple and heartfelt songs, mostly gentle but intimately powerful. I found the approach thoroughly engaging, with sparse production and instrumentation complementing the lyrics and Lucinda's vocals. The simplicity of 'Mama you Sweet' (with one very long verse) draws you in to the emotion of the song. 'Are You Alright' and 'Where is my Love' are great, beautiful songs and Jenny Scheinman's expressive violin adds a unique layer to the arrangements.

I thought some of the songs could have been shorter, and that the CD might have been better with a few tracks omitted. The album isn't full of instant hits but reveals itself over time, and is well worth taking the time to get to know it.