Lucinda Williams — Can't Let Go
Album: Car Wheels on a Gravel RoadAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 3653
Length: 3:22
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Told you baby one more time
Don't make me sit all alone and cry
Well it's over - I know it - but I can't let go
I'm like a fish out of water
A cat in a tree
You don't even want to talk to me
Well it's over - I know it - but I can't let go
He won't take me back when I come around
Says he's sorry then he puts me out
I got a big chain around my neck
And I'm broken down like a train wreck
Well it's over - I know it - but I can't let go
See I got a candle and it burns so bright
In my window every night
Well it's over - I know it - but I can't let go
You don't like to see me standing around
Feel like I been shot and didn't fall down
Well it's over - I know it - but I can't let go
He won't take me back when I come around
Says he's sorry then he puts me out
I got a big chain around my neck
And I'm broken down like a train wreck
Well it's over - I know it - but I can't let go
Turn off trouble like you turn off a light
Went off and left me it just ain't right
Well it's over - I know it - but I can't let go
Round every corner something I see
Bring me right back how it used to be
Well it's over - I know it - but I can't let go
He won't take me back when I come around
Says he's sorry then he puts me out
I got a big chain around my neck
And I'm broken down like a train wreck
Well it's over - I know it - but I can't let go
He won't take me back when I come around
Says he's sorry then he puts me out
I got a big chain around my neck
And I'm broken down like a train wreck
Well it's over I know it but I can't let go
Well it's over - I know it - but I can't let go
Well it's over - I know it - but I can't let go
Well it's over - I know it - but I can't let go
Don't make me sit all alone and cry
Well it's over - I know it - but I can't let go
I'm like a fish out of water
A cat in a tree
You don't even want to talk to me
Well it's over - I know it - but I can't let go
He won't take me back when I come around
Says he's sorry then he puts me out
I got a big chain around my neck
And I'm broken down like a train wreck
Well it's over - I know it - but I can't let go
See I got a candle and it burns so bright
In my window every night
Well it's over - I know it - but I can't let go
You don't like to see me standing around
Feel like I been shot and didn't fall down
Well it's over - I know it - but I can't let go
He won't take me back when I come around
Says he's sorry then he puts me out
I got a big chain around my neck
And I'm broken down like a train wreck
Well it's over - I know it - but I can't let go
Turn off trouble like you turn off a light
Went off and left me it just ain't right
Well it's over - I know it - but I can't let go
Round every corner something I see
Bring me right back how it used to be
Well it's over - I know it - but I can't let go
He won't take me back when I come around
Says he's sorry then he puts me out
I got a big chain around my neck
And I'm broken down like a train wreck
Well it's over - I know it - but I can't let go
He won't take me back when I come around
Says he's sorry then he puts me out
I got a big chain around my neck
And I'm broken down like a train wreck
Well it's over I know it but I can't let go
Well it's over - I know it - but I can't let go
Well it's over - I know it - but I can't let go
Well it's over - I know it - but I can't let go
Comments (401)add comment
frankly speaking no particular emotions...
countryrds wrote:
Find your space.
Find your tribe.
All this will pass.
Going thru a divorce listening to this one. Oh dear!
Find your space.
Find your tribe.
All this will pass.
OG
that string bend it "its over" is sooo cool
Going thru a divorce listening to this one. Oh dear!
I love me some Lucinda! She always has EXCELLENT musicians in her band. Especially guitarists. They can play some killer leads. 
In my reserved suite in heaven, Lucinda is piped in frequently. Fuck off Satan and your flute music.
who be that slide guitar player?
Is it Lucinda?
She has a great ear for players, so it could be Bo Ramsey from Iowa. He also plays with Greg Brown.
Is it Lucinda?
She has a great ear for players, so it could be Bo Ramsey from Iowa. He also plays with Greg Brown.
thewiseking wrote:
and what is wrong with Bonnie ?
she's the real deal
this ain't no Bonnie Raitt
and what is wrong with Bonnie ?
jelgator wrote:
Do it! No disappointment.
Am I just going to have to buy her entire discography?
Yes. Yes, I am.
Do it! No disappointment.
This song didn't garble out of Autotune. Lucinda's takes are always the real deal, man.
Outstanding.
Outstanding.
Am I just going to have to buy her entire discography?
Yes. Yes, I am.
Yes. Yes, I am.
she's the real deal
this ain't no Bonnie Raitt
this ain't no Bonnie Raitt
The more i hear lucinda williams the more i want to do a deep dive on spotify with her
wow
that slide kills
who be that?
that slide kills
who be that?
The first five times I heard this, I could have sworn it was Jack White. Now I know it's clearly not, but I can't 'unhear' Jack White now :-)
idiot_wind wrote:
Might be missing a hyphen.... Do you mean "crazy-ass slide" or "crazy ass-slide"?
i think she may be playing with bo ramsey on this one
he may be playing that crazy ass slide
Might be missing a hyphen.... Do you mean "crazy-ass slide" or "crazy ass-slide"?
i think she may be playing with bo ramsey on this one
he may be playing that crazy ass slide
he may be playing that crazy ass slide
MrsTom wrote:
you caught me!
I defy anyone to listen to this without moving
you caught me!
lizardking wrote:
Was thinking the same and how awesome seeing this live at a bar would be (if that's ever a thing again)
LLRP and boot-scooting tunes!!
Look after the king of R n R please
Was thinking the same and how awesome seeing this live at a bar would be (if that's ever a thing again)
LLRP and boot-scooting tunes!!
Look after the king of R n R please
lizardking wrote:
Was thinking the same and how awesome seeing this live at a bar would be
Lucinda's music evokes just that; a hot, smokey bar in the middle of nowhere.
Was thinking the same and how awesome seeing this live at a bar would be
Lucinda's music evokes just that; a hot, smokey bar in the middle of nowhere.
MrsTom wrote:
Was thinking the same and how awesome seeing this live at a bar would be (if that's ever a thing again)
LLRP and boot-scooting tunes!!
I defy anyone to listen to this without moving
Was thinking the same and how awesome seeing this live at a bar would be (if that's ever a thing again)
LLRP and boot-scooting tunes!!
Brilliant follow of the Stones' faux honky tonk with the REAL DEAL here.
I defy anyone to listen to this without moving
On_The_Beach wrote:
Bonnie wishes...
Bonnie Raitt, is that you?
I love Lucinda, but every time I hear this I think of Bonnie.
I love Lucinda, but every time I hear this I think of Bonnie.
Bonnie wishes...
Slide guitar! Killer bridge.
One of the best albums of all time. I don't think any song on this album is less than a 9.
Three guitar attack. Rock music seriously needs more of this.
SOOOOO goodBo Ramsey on slide?
He also plays with Greg Brown.
He also plays with Greg Brown.
I never heard this song before RP....Now I can't get enough of it!
jimtyrrell wrote:
Tell THEM to STFU!! lol - I just went +1 to go above the (rather) high 7.6 average rating...Long Live RP and playing music loud enough to piss off the neighbors!!
the neighbors are banging on my walls!!! turn that shi. down.
loving it!
Tell THEM to STFU!! lol - I just went +1 to go above the (rather) high 7.6 average rating...Long Live RP and playing music loud enough to piss off the neighbors!!
the neighbors are banging on my walls!!! turn that shi. down.
loving it!
Great singer singing a great song! (Good to see I already rated it a 9.) If I'm ever single, I'm looking her up.
It's over - I know it - but I can't let go.
It's over - I know it - but I can't let go.
DW4554 wrote:
Yes! And the rhythm section was ON for sure, I'll go +1 and call it an 8. (Would be a 9+ if it were a divorce song)
Long Live RP and RamFish!!
Bridge is excellent. Nice slide work.
Yes! And the rhythm section was ON for sure, I'll go +1 and call it an 8. (Would be a 9+ if it were a divorce song)
Long Live RP and RamFish!!
"Oh! I love THIS" without knowing who or what is playing is my favorite feature of RP.
Much better.....forwarded through Deadmau5, Bjork and Chris Isaak. 
Divorce song ...another one ...ahhhhhhhh, the memories :):)
Lucinda is now touring the 20th anniversary of this album.
Bridge is excellent. Nice slide work.
Top of the pops.
Excelent 
Stingray wrote:
9
PS
Just fantasize about a night in bed with Chrissie Hynde and Lucinda W.
Must be heaven - even without guitar - a fiddle would do!
And when "it's" over - I still won't let go!
Promise Chrissie. I swear, Lucinda!
Tacky.
9
PS
Just fantasize about a night in bed with Chrissie Hynde and Lucinda W.
Must be heaven - even without guitar - a fiddle would do!
And when "it's" over - I still won't let go!
Promise Chrissie. I swear, Lucinda!
Tacky.
Better every time I hear it.
MojoJojo wrote:
Agree, wholeheartedly, but at "11".
We need a "PTA" (Play That Again) button for songs like this one! 
Agree, wholeheartedly, but at "11".
justin4kick wrote:
Hey, Ray I did some googling for you. Here's both of the ladies performing together. Be careful what you wish for, I would say.
That's a Mothers of Invention shirt with the cover from their first album. For that alone, I would enjoy the experience (for whatever implications one may draw I am not responsible)
Hey, Ray I did some googling for you. Here's both of the ladies performing together. Be careful what you wish for, I would say.
That's a Mothers of Invention shirt with the cover from their first album. For that alone, I would enjoy the experience (for whatever implications one may draw I am not responsible)
album title conjures my childhood
This was my first exposure to Lucinda; it was on the KBCO Studio C collection from 2000... If you ever get a chance, go and see her! She and her band ROCK!
played right after Dylan "everything is broken" during which I told my wife that i'd like to hear Lucinda's "everything is wrong" after "everything is broken".
it ain't the specific song I was looking for but Lucinda is cool. Dylan too (well, he is on another level).
all good.
it ain't the specific song I was looking for but Lucinda is cool. Dylan too (well, he is on another level).
all good.
Stingray wrote:
9
PS
Just fantasize about a night in bed with Chrissie Hynde and Lucinda W.
Must be heaven - even without guitar - a fiddle would do!
And when "it's" over - I still won't let go!
Promise Chrissie. I swear, Lucinda!
Hey, Ray I did some googling for you. Here's both of the ladies performing together. Be careful what you wish for, I would say.
9
PS
Just fantasize about a night in bed with Chrissie Hynde and Lucinda W.
Must be heaven - even without guitar - a fiddle would do!
And when "it's" over - I still won't let go!
Promise Chrissie. I swear, Lucinda!
Hey, Ray I did some googling for you. Here's both of the ladies performing together. Be careful what you wish for, I would say.
She is so great in concert and when she lets the band take off, hold on to your chair or some fixed object.
damn girl you are GOOD : )
zeod wrote:
Well, this is a traditional, "roots music" kind of tune and chord progression - so it I guess it could sound like a lot of other artists. Their voices are similar though, but this album was released several years before K.T. Tunstall had released any recordings.
Sound like KT Tunstall (for exemple : Big black horse and a cherry tree..)
Well, this is a traditional, "roots music" kind of tune and chord progression - so it I guess it could sound like a lot of other artists. Their voices are similar though, but this album was released several years before K.T. Tunstall had released any recordings.
idiot_wind wrote:
Great idea! Sign me up!
Get Lucinda to persuade Kathleen Edwards to get out of the coffee shop and they tour together this Summer in small outdoor and indoor venues. Lucinda gets Bo Ramsey to tour a play slide.
They get Trucks and Tedeshi to join them for a few dates.
This would be a reason to go on the road for week or so.
They get Trucks and Tedeshi to join them for a few dates.
This would be a reason to go on the road for week or so.
Great idea! Sign me up! idiot_wind wrote:
Wow, wouldn't that be fantastic!
Get Lucinda to persuade Kathleen Edwards to get out of the coffee shop and they tour together this Summer in small outdoor and indoor venues. Lucinda gets Bo Ramsey to tour a play slide.
They get Trucks and Tedeshi to join them for a few dates.
This would be a reason to go on the road for week or so.
They get Trucks and Tedeshi to join them for a few dates.
This would be a reason to go on the road for week or so.
Wow, wouldn't that be fantastic!
Get Lucinda to persuade Kathleen Edwards to get out of the coffee shop and they tour together this Summer in small outdoor and indoor venues. Lucinda gets Bo Ramsey to tour a play slide.
They get Trucks and Tedeshi to join them for a few dates.
This would be a reason to go on the road for week or so.
They get Trucks and Tedeshi to join them for a few dates.
This would be a reason to go on the road for week or so.
The song that me a fan of LW. A good song for driving fast.
Cranking it up!
Cranking it up!
My favorite musician from my old home town.
Really looking forward to seeing Lucinda perform this one at HSB14!
9
PS
Just fantasize about a night in bed with Chrissie Hynde and Lucinda W.
Must be heaven - even without guitar - a fiddle would do!
And when "it's" over - I still won't let go!
Promise Chrissie. I swear, Lucinda!
zeod wrote:
You mean KT sounds like her.
Sound like KT Tunstall (for exemple : Big black horse and a cherry tree..)
You mean KT sounds like her.
Great song from a fantastic album. Lucinda didn't write this one (Randy Weeks did), but the rest of the album is full of great LW tunes. As far as I'm concerned, this was the pinnacle for her (at least considering what I've heard since).
my favorite Lucinda tune!!
zeod wrote:
.... yes, I thought it was KT which I suppose could be classed as a compliment :))
Sound like KT Tunstall (for exemple : Big black horse and a cherry tree..)
.... yes, I thought it was KT which I suppose could be classed as a compliment :))Sound like KT Tunstall (for exemple : Big black horse and a cherry tree..)
One of the best albums of 1998.
oldfart48 wrote:
only brain dead folks allow bore dumb......
Good point...err, what?
only brain dead folks allow bore dumb......
Good point...err, what?
This is a funny song, and entertaining. Never heard it before, but the notes say it's from 1998. So much music out there.
dance break!
Play more of Lucinda! Especially if she has Bo Ramsey playing slide.
Her album "Essense" will make parts of your body move in strange and fascinating ways. Ooooh...gotta keep it PG13.
Her album "Essense" will make parts of your body move in strange and fascinating ways. Ooooh...gotta keep it PG13.
Bonnie Raitt, is that you?
I love Lucinda, but every time I hear this I think of Bonnie.
I love Lucinda, but every time I hear this I think of Bonnie.
I normally can not stand her voice/intonation/articulation (although I think she's an amazing songwriter); however, I dig this song in a big way!
saucy
luce rocks.....
So sooo bored of this.
Nice!
Mr. Bill is in a slide-guitar mood. Sonny Landreth next?
mkelly685 wrote: Love it, had me jamming!
likewise.sir
Love it, had me jamming!likewise.sir
#7 on the album. Always loved it.
Love it, had me jamming!Love this!
Had this on the old KBCO Studio C 2000 collection on CD...lucky to have seen her do it live at Boulder Theater a few years back, too. Nothing like seeing this smokin' thing done on stage in front of you with a multi-layer Rocky Mountain Way buzz on! ~Go Lucinda!
After more hearing I have bumped this to 9
Love it
Love it
nother reason why AUSTIN ROCKS!!!!
gemtag wrote:
Like....."take her home to meet your parents" nice? Um...don't think so.
She sounds very nice.
Like....."take her home to meet your parents" nice? Um...don't think so.
We need a "PTA" (Play That Again) button for songs like this one!
wrangler wrote:
LOVE that slide!!!!!!!!!!!
play that slide baby 
LOVE that slide!!!!!!!!!!!
play that slide baby
For me the sets don't get much better than this—thanks Bill, for knowing what we need when we need it.
Electric Light Orchestra — Roll Over Beethoven
Chuck Berry — You Never Can Tell
Derek and the Dominoes — Key To The Highway
Lucinda Williams — Can't Let Go
Electric Light Orchestra — Roll Over Beethoven
Chuck Berry — You Never Can Tell
Derek and the Dominoes — Key To The Highway
Lucinda Williams — Can't Let Go
lemmee see, Bob the drone or Lucinda .........easy choice.
i LOVE this. and i don't like many female artists. she rocks the plastic.
Lucinda is always a 9 - no matter what (song).
Luci rocks!!
jim1964 wrote:
Totally agree.
.....completely excellent album.
Totally agree.
.....completely excellent album.
Great Album! Bill you should play some tracks from her most recent CD, Blessed.
zenhead wrote:
I totally agree with this comment.
never really liked her, she seems to sound like she's about to nod off most of the time, so i, for one, like the up tempo. almost thought it was bonnie raitt at first.
I totally agree with this comment.
Huh. She sounds sober in this one.
Are there two songs playing on top of each other (Lucinda in a round?)? Or is that my office's sound system going berserk again?
Either way, I usually like this song!
Either way, I usually like this song!
She's crazy. I like crazy. A lot.
She sounds very nice.
Baketown wrote:
Makes me wonder what year this station got started?
Well, iTunes came out early 2001 and RP was listed as one of the radio stations (I think) from the outset. At that point you could listen but there was no registration to the site - that came in Late November/December 2001.
But you can find the earliest public version here. . . I am going to guess that RP became live March 2000.
Makes me wonder what year this station got started?
Well, iTunes came out early 2001 and RP was listed as one of the radio stations (I think) from the outset. At that point you could listen but there was no registration to the site - that came in Late November/December 2001.
But you can find the earliest public version here. . . I am going to guess that RP became live March 2000.
wicked!
Luci,
You got some 'splanin' to do!
You got some 'splanin' to do!
Baketown wrote:
Makes me wonder what year this station got started?
Many moons ago
I remember I found it one day searching on Live365 or Shoutcast
But I remember I was using OS9 on a Powerbook and Soundjam (eventually Apple bought it and iTunes was the result)
or maybe MacCast
Been here ever since
Hey Bill would you mind dusting under me once in awhile?
Makes me wonder what year this station got started?
Many moons ago
I remember I found it one day searching on Live365 or Shoutcast
But I remember I was using OS9 on a Powerbook and Soundjam (eventually Apple bought it and iTunes was the result)
or maybe MacCast
Been here ever since
Hey Bill would you mind dusting under me once in awhile?
jeremyleo wrote:
Makes me wonder what year this station got started?
Wow - the first comment on this tune was almost 10 years ago. I still remember how exciting internet radio was to me back then - seems like only yesterday - now I can't imagine a world without internet radio.
This tune was my intro to Lucinda on KPIG streaming over the interweb. Hooked then and still hooked now!
This tune was my intro to Lucinda on KPIG streaming over the interweb. Hooked then and still hooked now!
Makes me wonder what year this station got started?
She's just great.
Wow - the first comment on this tune was almost 10 years ago. I still remember how exciting internet radio was to me back then - seems like only yesterday - now I can't imagine a world without internet radio.
This tune was my intro to Lucinda on KPIG streaming over the interweb. Hooked then and still hooked now!
This tune was my intro to Lucinda on KPIG streaming over the interweb. Hooked then and still hooked now!
The way the resonator brightens the vocal dynamic increase in the chorus is magical. Painting with sound.
Great song and album. LW is such a perfectionist — I've seen her a few times and every time she started at least two songs over ... and another great segue from Feat's Willin' to this. RP is masterful.
Businessgypsy wrote:
Thought provoking comment - what is South? To me growing up, anybody north of I-10 was a Yankee. I always thought certain Georgia accents were a put-on, until experience proved otherwise.
As a Lake Charles, Louisiana area girl her amalgam of Texas brogue, Cajun French, backwoods slur and coastal patois seems very natural to my ear. That area, defined by the Sabine river estuary, is historically famous as a no man's land between the US and the Republic of Texas. Equivalent to the DMZ, the locals had their own law, customs and speech patterns.
I've read comments labeling Lucinda's voice as a "drunken whore" act (even from an Austin RP poster) - but my aunts and cousins would have your skin if you were to say that in their presence. Lucinda has spent a lot of time in Nashville and Austin (among other places), but the heel of the boot of Louisiana left a stamp on her voice that makes her one of the most emotive and genuine representatives of the altcountry genre (a label she would probably dismiss).
Restricted to only one recording, I'd choose Car Wheels on an Gravel Road as the collection that would carry me through. Your results may vary.
Good comment. Is 'South' geographic or cultural? Is Texas in the 'South'? Is Louisiana 'American'? Lucinda has always sounded like the classic Houston-area Cajun refugee - an accent as integral to the global petroleum DMZ as the Scottish, Nigerian, Iranian, Albertan, Venezuelan, New Jersey - don't ask, don't tell - broken-hearted, hunted and haunted citizens of this anti-metropolis. Yea, she spent time here.
As for accents - Austin - think Owen Wilson; Nashville - think Dolly Parton (or Chet Atkins, playing now). Lucinda - think Houston dive-bar...
Thought provoking comment - what is South? To me growing up, anybody north of I-10 was a Yankee. I always thought certain Georgia accents were a put-on, until experience proved otherwise.
As a Lake Charles, Louisiana area girl her amalgam of Texas brogue, Cajun French, backwoods slur and coastal patois seems very natural to my ear. That area, defined by the Sabine river estuary, is historically famous as a no man's land between the US and the Republic of Texas. Equivalent to the DMZ, the locals had their own law, customs and speech patterns.
I've read comments labeling Lucinda's voice as a "drunken whore" act (even from an Austin RP poster) - but my aunts and cousins would have your skin if you were to say that in their presence. Lucinda has spent a lot of time in Nashville and Austin (among other places), but the heel of the boot of Louisiana left a stamp on her voice that makes her one of the most emotive and genuine representatives of the altcountry genre (a label she would probably dismiss).
Restricted to only one recording, I'd choose Car Wheels on an Gravel Road as the collection that would carry me through. Your results may vary.
Good comment. Is 'South' geographic or cultural? Is Texas in the 'South'? Is Louisiana 'American'? Lucinda has always sounded like the classic Houston-area Cajun refugee - an accent as integral to the global petroleum DMZ as the Scottish, Nigerian, Iranian, Albertan, Venezuelan, New Jersey - don't ask, don't tell - broken-hearted, hunted and haunted citizens of this anti-metropolis. Yea, she spent time here.
As for accents - Austin - think Owen Wilson; Nashville - think Dolly Parton (or Chet Atkins, playing now). Lucinda - think Houston dive-bar...
Don't care 'bout genre good is just good 'specially this
AndyJ wrote:
They sound like railroads.
Southern hasn't been Southern since Country and Western merged to become C&W... ask your Grampa...
A good song, good artist and good performance is always -GOOD-... enjoy the ride... Dump the classifications and go with what sounds good to you... You'll be surprised at what music you enjoy and how many artists you never heard of before... But somebody did and ...
That's what makes RP such a great offering...
A good song, good artist and good performance is always -GOOD-... enjoy the ride... Dump the classifications and go with what sounds good to you... You'll be surprised at what music you enjoy and how many artists you never heard of before... But somebody did and ...
That's what makes RP such a great offering...
They sound like railroads.
LOVE YOU - LUCINDA!
AndyJ wrote:
Andy listen to Lucinda's album "West," she actually managed to pull the Western back out and MAN is that one emeffin' great disc.
Southern hasn't been Southern since Country and Western merged to become C&W... ask your Grampa...
A good song, good artist and good performance is always -GOOD-... enjoy the ride... Dump the classifications and go with what sounds good to you... You'll be surprised at what music you enjoy and how many artists you never heard of before... But somebody did and ...
That's what makes RP such a great offering...
A good song, good artist and good performance is always -GOOD-... enjoy the ride... Dump the classifications and go with what sounds good to you... You'll be surprised at what music you enjoy and how many artists you never heard of before... But somebody did and ...
That's what makes RP such a great offering...
Andy listen to Lucinda's album "West," she actually managed to pull the Western back out and MAN is that one emeffin' great disc.
pinto wrote:
If "hit the books" means "listen to a whole bunch of Lucinda Williams" hold on, I'll get a couple bottles of rye whiskey and be right over.
Businessgypsy wrote:
Thought provoking comment - what is South? To me growing up, anybody north of I-10 was a Yankee. I always thought certain Georgia accents were a put-on, until experience proved otherwise.
As a Lake Charles, Louisiana area girl her amalgam of Texas brogue, Cajun French, backwoods slur and coastal patois seems very natural to my ear. That area, defined by the Sabine river estuary, is historically famous as a no man's land between the US and the Republic of Texas. Equivalent to the DMZ, the locals had their own law, customs and speech patterns.
I've read comments labeling Lucinda's voice as a "drunken whore" act (even from an Austin RP poster) - but my aunts and cousins would have your skin if you were to say that in their presence. Lucinda has spent a lot of time in Nashville and Austin (among other places), but the heel of the boot of Louisiana left a stamp on her voice that makes her one of the most emotive and genuine representatives of the altcountry genre (a label she would probably dismiss).
Restricted to only one recording, I'd choose Car Wheels on an Gravel Road as the collection that would carry me through. Your results may vary.
Somehow after reading all of that I get the feeling that there's going to be a final exam covering this material. Guess I'd better go hit the books...
Thought provoking comment - what is South? To me growing up, anybody north of I-10 was a Yankee. I always thought certain Georgia accents were a put-on, until experience proved otherwise.
As a Lake Charles, Louisiana area girl her amalgam of Texas brogue, Cajun French, backwoods slur and coastal patois seems very natural to my ear. That area, defined by the Sabine river estuary, is historically famous as a no man's land between the US and the Republic of Texas. Equivalent to the DMZ, the locals had their own law, customs and speech patterns.
I've read comments labeling Lucinda's voice as a "drunken whore" act (even from an Austin RP poster) - but my aunts and cousins would have your skin if you were to say that in their presence. Lucinda has spent a lot of time in Nashville and Austin (among other places), but the heel of the boot of Louisiana left a stamp on her voice that makes her one of the most emotive and genuine representatives of the altcountry genre (a label she would probably dismiss).
Restricted to only one recording, I'd choose Car Wheels on an Gravel Road as the collection that would carry me through. Your results may vary.
Somehow after reading all of that I get the feeling that there's going to be a final exam covering this material. Guess I'd better go hit the books...
If "hit the books" means "listen to a whole bunch of Lucinda Williams" hold on, I'll get a couple bottles of rye whiskey and be right over.
headphones!