There just seem no stoppin this wiry, world weary force of nature from continuing to produce records that possess more grit, heartache, living hell and occasional respite, redemption and at least catharsis, than most pulitzer winning novels. I remember when I first found out that she'd written the Mary Chapin Carpneter hit "Passsionate Kisses," I ran right out and bought a the album with Lucinda's version of it, and I wasn't nuts about the record because I wasn't expecting it to be so Bluesy.

Since those days I've gained a better appreciation for the blues and I've certainly become a die-hard fan of miss Williams. Time magazine recently awarded her with the honor of America's greatest songwriter, which knowing her she wouldn't be comfortable with. She'd sooner hand it off to Ryan Adams. And let him deal with the pressure—then again maybe not, Ryans's got his own demons to dance with.

The most noteworthy fact about World Without Tears is that is was recorded pretty much live, in a short period of time and she wound up using her scratch or (guide) vocals rather than agonizing over every inflection and doing dozens of takes and using over dubs - this time she just let it ride and if you know anything about Lucinda's studio personae, this is more than shocking.

Lucinda has a reputation for being a perfectionist, tough on both musicians and producers and some might say a pain in the ass. This she knows full well but in the past has defended her ways over giving up any control of her music. Her masterpiece Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, took six years to finish.

She moved to LA and used a new cast of characters to record World. Williams co-produced with Mark Howard (U2's All that You Can't Leave Behind, Bob Dylan's Time out of Mind, and Emmylou Harris's Wrecking Ball) and worked with a new band (Doug Pettibone -- guitar and harmonies; Jim Christie -- drums and organ; Taras Prodaniuk -- bass and harmonies). It must have been a good recipe because over the course of 8 weeks they hammered the whole thing out, and pressed it.

I think you can credit some of this to the fact that much of
World Without Tears is a return to a her blues roots, a place where she feels the most comfortable. The central theme of World revolves around the pain that life most often serves up, battles with the viccitudes of relationshi0ps, abuse of all kinds, Lucinda's litany, and she sticks to her guns only doling out moments of hope and light in spare measures.

One thing is for sure, Lucinda can write a hell of a song, and whether or not she's America's Best is not for me to say. I'll just say that this is one hell of an album, that I'm proud to have in my player.