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Editorial Reviews
Deluxe two CD edtion including a bonus disc called The Kitchen Tapes', which contains the demos Williams recorded for the album right as they were born at her kitchen table, where she does most of her writing. 2011 album from three-time Grammy Award-winner. Considered by many to be one of America's greatest living songwriters, Williams lives up to that and more by delivering 12 songs that cover an even wider emotional spectrum than her previous work, without moving too far in any one direction. It's nothing new to see Williams tug at the heartstrings and stimulate the mind with her songs, but there is a vibe throughout Blessed that is unique to this album in-particular. It's the sound of the wisdom and experience Williams has gained through her years as an uncompromising talent. Combine that with Grammy Award-winning producer Don Was at the helm, and something special is born. Was co-produced Blessed with Eric Liljestrand and Tom Overby, who co-produced Williams highly-praised Little Honey (2008). Blessed features special guests Rami Jaffe on keyboards, Matthew Sweet on vocals Greg Leisz and Elvis Costello on guitar.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
51 of 59 people found the following review helpful
By Rudy Palma
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
With the eminent status she has achieved in American song Lucinda Williams could not be blamed for coasting a bit. Much time has passed since the two decades of largely unheeded obsessive perfection that predated her late-90s breakthrough.
How fortunate that "Blessed" finds her lyrical and melodic powers at their zenith. Fresh, blazing inspiration is especially evident in spite of her droll, cool-as-cucumber delivery.
The tempo is subdued, but not in the vein of "Essence" or "West," which were immensely tortured and soul-searching by comparison. A decidedly less precious approach to the songs' overall execution plays to their strengths because Williams' outlook, while still immense with thought and world-weariness, is less clenched and more relaxed. Clipped, factual acceptance is therefore fitting in its thematic dominance.
"Buttercup," one of the few upbeat selections, does not set the stage with its classic rock feel and almost boisterous sense of levity as Williams criticizes a former flame in a nonetheless dignified manner. Its chorus is ingratiating with full throttle guitars and percussion. "Seeing Black," written for Vic Chesnutt, does not cast judgment on the troubled singer/songwriter's suicide but scratches the wounds of those left behind. She probes his motivation with a series of unanswerable questions amid searing guitar work from Elvis Costello.
The shrewdly observed, expertly executed title track finds affirmation in unlikely places - "we were blessed by the neglected child who knew how to forgive/we were blessed by the battered woman who did not seek revenge" - and exemplifies Williams' signature incisive simplicity, the backbone of her talent. It informs more than a few songs here, also among them "I Don't Know How You're Living," typical of her slow-burning, marinated, downbeat best. Her vocals wrench as she contemplates what has become of a former love without any bitterness or self-pity - just acceptance of what has happened - and declares her continued good will.
"Copenhagen" is lullaby-like and huggably warm as it offers an olive branch to an estranged friend, while "Born to Be Loved" is deceivingly simple as it insists upon its title phrase. "Soldier's Song" comes from the perspective of a departed serviceman and the family he has left behind. Her sparing matter-of-factness maximizes the songs' effectiveness.
"Awakening" is a swirling, epic tour de force with deadly serious percussion and guitar work. Her vocals, hanging loose and icy in the mix as she repeatedly declares her intentions to accept the unchangeable are bone-chilling in their funereal restraint amid the song's topsy-turvy arrangement - and appropriately so, since the song is a death of sorts in its resolution to put an end to habits that, for more than half a lifetime, have proven unsatisfying.
"Kiss Like Your Kiss" with its summery, meditative imagery sounds like a safe haven in the storm as it waxes love and comfort. It is the most resolute, unambiguous closing track of Williams' career.
"Little Honey" had many incredible songs, but it was more a hodgepodge than a fully focused, clearly inspired album. "Blessed" is a welcome return in that regard. Her major artistic assets are in full evidence, but she also demonstrates a personal growth that provides a unique listening experience from those she has previously offered and that stands well with the quality of high-watermark albums that cemented her reputation. "Blessed" is destined to join that much-lauded company.
4.5 stars
How fortunate that "Blessed" finds her lyrical and melodic powers at their zenith. Fresh, blazing inspiration is especially evident in spite of her droll, cool-as-cucumber delivery.
The tempo is subdued, but not in the vein of "Essence" or "West," which were immensely tortured and soul-searching by comparison. A decidedly less precious approach to the songs' overall execution plays to their strengths because Williams' outlook, while still immense with thought and world-weariness, is less clenched and more relaxed. Clipped, factual acceptance is therefore fitting in its thematic dominance.
"Buttercup," one of the few upbeat selections, does not set the stage with its classic rock feel and almost boisterous sense of levity as Williams criticizes a former flame in a nonetheless dignified manner. Its chorus is ingratiating with full throttle guitars and percussion. "Seeing Black," written for Vic Chesnutt, does not cast judgment on the troubled singer/songwriter's suicide but scratches the wounds of those left behind. She probes his motivation with a series of unanswerable questions amid searing guitar work from Elvis Costello.
The shrewdly observed, expertly executed title track finds affirmation in unlikely places - "we were blessed by the neglected child who knew how to forgive/we were blessed by the battered woman who did not seek revenge" - and exemplifies Williams' signature incisive simplicity, the backbone of her talent. It informs more than a few songs here, also among them "I Don't Know How You're Living," typical of her slow-burning, marinated, downbeat best. Her vocals wrench as she contemplates what has become of a former love without any bitterness or self-pity - just acceptance of what has happened - and declares her continued good will.
"Copenhagen" is lullaby-like and huggably warm as it offers an olive branch to an estranged friend, while "Born to Be Loved" is deceivingly simple as it insists upon its title phrase. "Soldier's Song" comes from the perspective of a departed serviceman and the family he has left behind. Her sparing matter-of-factness maximizes the songs' effectiveness.
"Awakening" is a swirling, epic tour de force with deadly serious percussion and guitar work. Her vocals, hanging loose and icy in the mix as she repeatedly declares her intentions to accept the unchangeable are bone-chilling in their funereal restraint amid the song's topsy-turvy arrangement - and appropriately so, since the song is a death of sorts in its resolution to put an end to habits that, for more than half a lifetime, have proven unsatisfying.
"Kiss Like Your Kiss" with its summery, meditative imagery sounds like a safe haven in the storm as it waxes love and comfort. It is the most resolute, unambiguous closing track of Williams' career.
"Little Honey" had many incredible songs, but it was more a hodgepodge than a fully focused, clearly inspired album. "Blessed" is a welcome return in that regard. Her major artistic assets are in full evidence, but she also demonstrates a personal growth that provides a unique listening experience from those she has previously offered and that stands well with the quality of high-watermark albums that cemented her reputation. "Blessed" is destined to join that much-lauded company.
4.5 stars
24 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By applewood
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I almost didn't order this CD ( I couldn't listen to her recent Little Honey, nor had much interest in West, preferring instead what she did last century, Lucinda Williams (Reis), Sweet Old World, and Car Wheels on a Gravel Road or even the more commercial sounding releases from the early '00 Essence and World Without Tears), but did, due to some glowing pre-reviews, and I'm SO glad.
This could be her best recording yet, the perfect balance of raw vocals and tight polished instrumentation. The main disc is what really counts here, the second "Kitchen Tapes", is nice as a bonus, but wouldn't be much on it's own (demo-like solo versions which sound more like her earliest albums, but not as good).
The songwriting here covers pretty much Lucinda's familiar turf (love, loss, suicide, redemption, sacrifice, and renewal). It isn't so much new, as just really well done - including all the elements that she has done so well for so long. And this is what makes it remarkable, that it sounds so good, so fresh, so real, again.
This could be her best recording yet, the perfect balance of raw vocals and tight polished instrumentation. The main disc is what really counts here, the second "Kitchen Tapes", is nice as a bonus, but wouldn't be much on it's own (demo-like solo versions which sound more like her earliest albums, but not as good).
The songwriting here covers pretty much Lucinda's familiar turf (love, loss, suicide, redemption, sacrifice, and renewal). It isn't so much new, as just really well done - including all the elements that she has done so well for so long. And this is what makes it remarkable, that it sounds so good, so fresh, so real, again.
20 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By Steve Dossey
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Lucinda is back with a set of extremely well crafted, poetic songs. The music has a consistent tenor and mood. I prefer the acoustic "kitchen" disc because her melodies and her voice stand out in a beautiful honesty. The band supported disc is also an artistic statement sounding hushed,thoughtful, with candles in a darkened room feel. On the band disc her melodies are only hinted at and her voice is filled with whisper and innuendo, sometimes halting and sounding a bit weary. What I really like about both discs is their originality. Barely any echoes to past songs, except perhaps in theme. This one stands up there with her best. The kitchen disc is a must.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great CD
From a great artist comes great work. I particularly like the fact that she included two versions of her songs here, and truly, I listen to the kitchen takes more than the full... Read more
Published 10 days ago by Rebecca Dresser Hege
5.0 out of 5 stars
One more good CD from Lucinda
I am a big fan of Lucinda Williams. She has a great voice with soul. This CD is another good one from her. You will enjoy it.
Published 15 days ago by Charles B
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lucinda keeps getting better
I have loved her songs since the day I first heard her. This recording offers something special, the same songs two ways. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Chuck
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lucinda Williams - Blessed
I don't have a problem with Lucinda William, though having said that, I can certainly see where others may. Read more
Published 5 months ago by R. Kesler
4.0 out of 5 stars
Return to form
I was very impressed with this new Lucinda Williams album. I think it contains some of the strongest material she's released in the past decade. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Donald E. Gilliland
2.0 out of 5 stars
No progression
This album feels like another tossed off Lucinda Williams album. The tracks that seem to have the most effort put into them are the ones that I find the least interesting. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mark McLaughlin
2.0 out of 5 stars
Grating vocals; interesting guitar work
I have enjoyed (some of) Lucinda Williams' work for years, and I have seen her in concert several times. Nevertheless, I can't recommend this CD. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Loublu Rossiyu
2.0 out of 5 stars
Toss Offs
I have been listening to the brilliance of Lucinda Williams since
before I had a CD player. Her early work was like Dylan's, her voice was
an acquired taste but her... Read more
before I had a CD player. Her early work was like Dylan's, her voice was
an acquired taste but her... Read more
Published 16 months ago by M. Northuis
4.0 out of 5 stars
Back to her old ways.
Lucinda Williams returns to the style that she was known for in her earlier work. Songs are a bit dark and serious. The lp has very good dynamics but is pressed on clear vinyl. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Grover Glenwood
4.0 out of 5 stars
good,but little honey cd is much better
I've become a fan since hearing her on NPR and Imus show.
She can sing almost any style,but I prefer the rock and smokey blues songs
Almost all make me sing and hope my... Read more
She can sing almost any style,but I prefer the rock and smokey blues songs
Almost all make me sing and hope my... Read more
Published 18 months ago by C. A. heldt
