Live: Lucinda

Lucinda Williams - Car Wheels On A Gravel Road 

Three years ago, Americana Queen Lucinda Williams suffered a severe stroke which affected the left side of her body and put in her hospital for five weeks. Although she's made a good recovery, she still had to be helped onto the stage at the Holmfirth Picturedrome on Saturday night... although once she started singing, it was clear that her voice had not been affected in the slightest.

Lucinda Williams - Lake Charles

I've seen quite a few famous acts at my local venue over the years (just a five minute drive from home!), including Billy Bragg, Justin Currie, The Wedding Present, Richard Hawley, Ash, Half Man Half Biscuit and even Hayseed Dixie... but I never thought I'd see Lucinda Williams visit Summer Wine country. Artists of her calibre (particularly those from across the pond) usually only play the big cities - London, Birmingham, Dublin were the other dates on this tour... she didn't even play Scotland... so why the hell she came to Holmfirth is anybody's guess. Maybe she's a fan of Compo.

Lucinda Williams - Stolen Moments

At 71, Lucinda appears to have bounced back incredibly well from the stroke - in the last year alone, she's published a memoir and released one of the best albums of her career, Stories From A Rock 'n' Roll Heart. She stormed through the highlights from that record on Saturday night, along with a choice selection of earlier hits, including four songs from her most famous album, Car Wheels On A Gravel Road. Nearly two hours of outstanding music, with a full band and no breaks... I don't think I could have managed that, and I'm 20 years younger and in arguably better health. She certainly does have a Rock N Roll Heart...