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"Essence" by Lucinda Williams
Lucinda Williams — Essence
I like to think of this song, the title track off Lucinda Williams' first post-Grammy bonanza release, as sultry country, a style that Williams owns the trademark on. Sadly, the album as a whole never clicked for me the way that Car Wheels On A Gravel Road (the aforementioned Grammy bonanza) did, but if any song off Essence struck a chord with me it was this one. Starting each verse with a drawly "Baby, sweet baby," Williams perfectly plays off the drunk-on-love desperation. The song structure is basic and uncomplicated, but the catchy melody is accentuated with jangly guitar riffs that drop in during the verses to give a little extra drama. The lyrics smack of sex, using drugs metaphorically (or, perhaps, vice versa):
Baby, sweet baby, whisper my name
Shoot your love into my vein
Baby, sweet baby, kiss me hard
Make me wonder who's in charge
I'd first recommend Car Wheels On A Gravel Road to anyone new to Lucinda Williams, as that album is simply classic and flawless, but Essence is certainly worthy of attention.
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imaginary embracey said on March 18, 2008:
I love me some Lucinda too! I must agree that Essence came as a bit of a letdown after the classic Car Wheels, though the title track and "Out of Touch" would be right at home on a best-of mix.
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Reviews
Jflores said on March 18, 2008:
I totally agree with Ash that Car Wheels is her seminal work (although I love Happy Woman Blues and Ramblin too!) But, when this record came out it was such a stark departure for Lucinda and I loved the rumors that swirled that Ryan Adams was the muse for several songs including this one. After her performance at Summer Nights At The Pier that year, Lucinda became privy to a huge fight that me and my ex were having that night. She cleared the room of everyone except us, and she issued these words "Love Sucks" and took a huge pull off a bottle of whiskey and then handed it over. After we each had swigged, she opened the door again and went on like everything was cool, and it was, at least for the night...