Released June 5, 2001 Artist Lucinda Williams Label Lost Highway Records | Length 50:58 Release date 5 June 2001 | |
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Producer Bo Ramsey
Tom Tucker
Lucinda Williams Essence
(2001) World Without Tears
(2003) Genres Americana, Alternative country Similar Lucinda Williams albums, Alternative country albums | ||
Lucinda williams essence un censored
Essence is Lucinda Williams' sixth album. It was released in 2001. The album debuted on the Billboard 200 at number 28, selling about 44,500 copies in its first week. According to Billboard as of February 2008, the album had sold 336,000 copies in the U.S.
Contents
Lucinda williams essence live
Reception
Essence was highly anticipated coming after a three-year gap from her lauded Car Wheels on a Gravel Road and the critical reviews reflect that. Although positive, none rate the album as highly as her breakthrough. Robert Christgau, who raved about Car Wheels, called the album "imperfect" but still praised her artistry saying "[she] is too damn good to deny." Reviewers noted the difference in tone between the two albums with Rolling Stone citing the "willful intimacy" of the music while Spin contrasted its "halting, spare" presentation with Car Wheels "giddy, verbose" one. In a review posted by Salon the album was called "an emotional mess of a masterpiece".
Q listed Essence as one of the best 50 albums of 2001.
Personnel on the album include Tony Garnier and Charlie Sexton, best known as part of Bob Dylan's live backing band at the time. The album also features session drummer Jim Keltner.
Track listing
(All songs by Lucinda Williams)
- "Lonely Girls" – 4:01
- "Steal Your Love" – 3:14
- "I Envy the Wind" – 3:12
- "Blue" – 3:52
- "Out of Touch" – 5:25
- "Are You Down" – 5:24
- "Essence" – 5:50
- "Reason to Cry" – 3:39
- "Get Right With God" – 4:16
- "Bus to Baton Rouge" – 5:50
- "Broken Butterflies" – 5:41
Personnel
Additional musicians:
Songs
1Lonely Girls4:03
2Steal Your Love3:18
3I Envy the Wind3:16