Ramblin'

Lucinda Williams | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 13, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Smithsonian Folkways
• ASIN: B000001DI6
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,691 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #62 in Music > Indie Music > Folk > Folk Rock

Editorial Reviews

The first recordings from an artist with a gift for interpreting original blues from Robert Johnson to Memphis Minnie to The Carter Family. Williams’s unmistakable sound is powerfully direct and filled with melancholy and passion. 43 minutes. "The quintessential recording of Lucinda Williams.... An unbelievably soulful...vocalist."–Montana State University Exponent

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A desert island disc, April 16, 2001

By 

C. Heinrich "wsidechris" (Oyster Bay, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ramblin' (Audio CD)

Lucinda is still amazing, but this debut is phenomenal in its simplicity. Although the songs are all covers (so none of her distinctive songwriting talents are on display), her interpretive skills, vocal abilities, and guitar playing are all top-notch. Sound ordinary? Give it a listen and you won't think so.

There are obviously a lot of Lucinda fans out there, but I don't think many of them have this album. That is a SHAME, because this album rocks. It is so amazing. The clean crisp 12-string guitar playing (by Lucinda), accompanied by a 6-string string guitarist, beautifully harmonize with her pristine vocals. The simplicity of this album (although the guitar playing is far from ameteurish stuff--believe me), which was recorded in a single afternoon, is by no means something to be skeptical about.

If I can only recommend one thing about this album (I can recommend 14 things), it would be the final track, "Satisfied Mind". I've heard this traditional song done by many people (including Mahalia Jackson), but I still think this is the greatest. Lucinda sings the heck out of that song. She sings that song with so much aching beauty that you could just cry if you let yourself feel it. She wrings every bit of emotion she can, to beautiful effect. Too bad most singers today can't seem to do that.

If you like acoustic blues and folk, then I can't help but label this as an "essential recording" in that genre. Get it!!

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Southern comfort, July 17, 2003

By 

Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Ramblin' (Audio CD)

"Purist stuff" is what Lucinda Williams called the material she used for this marvelous blusey folksy recording, made in 1978. There's an exquisite simplicity to the music, and superb musicianship; the only intruments are Ms. Williams on a 12-string guitar, and John Grimaudo on a 6-string. Though her voice might not be "perfect", it is remarkably expressive, with a unique and slightly nasal tone, and an elastic range. I find her sound much more satisfying then a lot of what I hear that is currently popular.

The songs are a delight, from the familiar, like the traditional "Motherless Children", to the rarer gems like Memphis Minnie's "Me and My Chauffeur".
Ms. Williams did the terrific cover photo, the remastering is excellent, and the total time is 44:20
This is an easy, peaceful CD, like an old time classic that takes you back to less complicated times, it is a comfort and a treasure.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great compilation of blues standards, September 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Ramblin' (Audio CD)

Anyone with an ear for blues will appreciate this record. Ms. Williams has a special feel for acoustic blues which few other women can match. If you like artists like Nancy Griffith, John Hiatt, Neil Young, Mary Black and Richard and Linda Thompson you'll love Lucinda Williams.