Lucinda Williams: ‘My singing is better now than it was before my stroke'
It's on a lot of people's bucket list, so I'm very excited. I've been doing this show [Don't Tell Anybody the Secrets, based on Williams' memoir] at different venues. When I play, I always tell a little story about each song anyway, but this is where I stretch out and go more into detail, and I've got a visual screen behind me showing photographs of some of the characters I refer to in the songs. It's similar to Bruce Springsteen's Broadway show.
You're touring with Paul Kelly, who's a national treasure here, but not as celebrated in Europe and America. Should he be better known beyond our shores?
Yes. Absolutely. That's one of the issues in America that really bothers me, because if someone stands out, instead of holding them up, we just call them a cult artist or whatever. When I was first starting out, the record companies kept saying they didn't know what to do with me, because my music fell between the cracks between country and rock, which is now referred to as Americana. Being unique and original doesn't always work in the record business. It's all about marketing.
You had a stroke in November 2020. Can you describe your recovery – can you play guitar any better now?
I can sing better; I can't play guitar better. But I've been blessed with two brilliant guitar players, Doug Pettibone, who's been with me for a while, and a new one, Marc Ford, who was in the Black Crowes. It works really well, I can just concentrate on my singing. A lot of people have approached me and said that my singing was better now than it was before my stroke.
What's the most memorable first date you've been on, good or bad?
Oh, Gawd. First of all, I didn't like the whole idea of dating, because I was so shy. The whole idea of going out to dinner and a movie would just terrify me, because I would just feel really self-conscious. But I remember being asked to dinner by this guy, and sitting down at the table and hearing him say he'd already eaten. That just really turned me off. I thought it was extremely rude.
What's the best lesson you've learned from someone you've worked with?
I was working with an engineer, Dusty Wakeman, on the Sweet Old World album. I was complaining about an itty-bitty tiny mistake that I'd made, and he told me about how Native American Indians, when they'd weave a blanket, they would leave a mistake in the weaving on purpose.
You are a road warrior. When you check in to a hotel, what's the first thing you do?
I'm a road worrier! People tease me all the time about worrying too much. What's the first thing I do? Well, it depends on if we have a show that night or what's going on. But after we check in, I like to sit down in a regular chair or on the couch. Just to be able to be off the bus and sit in a regular piece of furniture feels really good.
What was the song you last played on Spotify?
I don't use Spotify. Mainly because, you know, the artists hardly get paid. My music's not on Spotify. [Lucinda's husband and manager Tom Overby interjects off camera: 'Yes it is!'] Oh, wait a minute. I made a mistake.
Would you consider withdrawing your music from Spotify, as Neil Young did temporarily, and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have more recently?
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[Tom in background: 'Yes, we may.'] Yes, we may do that. [Raises voice] Manager/husband Tom said yes, we may withdraw my music from Spotify! … I think the new album probably won't be available on there. You have to make a stand and get your message across when this sort of thing crops up.
I've enjoyed your Lu's Jukebox series, particularly the album of Tom Petty covers, Runnin' Down a Dream. What's a song you wish you'd written?
Oh, so many. That's the thing that's probably the hardest about covering other people's material. So many of Tom Petty's and so many of Bob Dylan's songs I wish I'd written. One of the Tom Petty ones that really struck me was Room At the Top. And of course Runnin' Down a Dream too, it just goes on and on. He was just great.
What's the weirdest thing you have done for love?
The weirdest thing I've done for love? OK … the weirdest thing I've done for love. That adds a different element …
It's not called 10 chaotic questions for nothing!
OK, does this count? I got married on stage [to Tom] at First Avenue, the eponymous venue in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Lucinda Williams is touring with Paul Kelly around Australia and New Zealand from 26 August to 12 September. See here for all dates
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You've played many prestigious venues in your career. How do you feel about gracing the Sydney Opera House stage? It's on a lot of people's bucket list, so I'm very excited. I've been doing this show [Don't Tell Anybody the Secrets, based on Williams' memoir] at different venues. When I play, I always tell a little story about each song anyway, but this is where I stretch out and go more into detail, and I've got a visual screen behind me showing photographs of some of the characters I refer to in the songs. It's similar to Bruce Springsteen's Broadway show. You're touring with Paul Kelly, who's a national treasure here, but not as celebrated in Europe and America. Should he be better known beyond our shores? Yes. Absolutely. That's one of the issues in America that really bothers me, because if someone stands out, instead of holding them up, we just call them a cult artist or whatever. When I was first starting out, the record companies kept saying they didn't know what to do with me, because my music fell between the cracks between country and rock, which is now referred to as Americana. Being unique and original doesn't always work in the record business. It's all about marketing. You had a stroke in November 2020. Can you describe your recovery – can you play guitar any better now? I can sing better; I can't play guitar better. But I've been blessed with two brilliant guitar players, Doug Pettibone, who's been with me for a while, and a new one, Marc Ford, who was in the Black Crowes. It works really well, I can just concentrate on my singing. A lot of people have approached me and said that my singing was better now than it was before my stroke. What's the most memorable first date you've been on, good or bad? Oh, Gawd. First of all, I didn't like the whole idea of dating, because I was so shy. The whole idea of going out to dinner and a movie would just terrify me, because I would just feel really self-conscious. But I remember being asked to dinner by this guy, and sitting down at the table and hearing him say he'd already eaten. That just really turned me off. I thought it was extremely rude. What's the best lesson you've learned from someone you've worked with? I was working with an engineer, Dusty Wakeman, on the Sweet Old World album. I was complaining about an itty-bitty tiny mistake that I'd made, and he told me about how Native American Indians, when they'd weave a blanket, they would leave a mistake in the weaving on purpose. You are a road warrior. When you check in to a hotel, what's the first thing you do? I'm a road worrier! People tease me all the time about worrying too much. What's the first thing I do? Well, it depends on if we have a show that night or what's going on. But after we check in, I like to sit down in a regular chair or on the couch. Just to be able to be off the bus and sit in a regular piece of furniture feels really good. What was the song you last played on Spotify? I don't use Spotify. Mainly because, you know, the artists hardly get paid. My music's not on Spotify. [Lucinda's husband and manager Tom Overby interjects off camera: 'Yes it is!'] Oh, wait a minute. I made a mistake. Would you consider withdrawing your music from Spotify, as Neil Young did temporarily, and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have more recently? Sign up to Saved for Later Catch up on the fun stuff with Guardian Australia's culture and lifestyle rundown of pop culture, trends and tips after newsletter promotion [Tom in background: 'Yes, we may.'] Yes, we may do that. [Raises voice] Manager/husband Tom said yes, we may withdraw my music from Spotify! … I think the new album probably won't be available on there. You have to make a stand and get your message across when this sort of thing crops up. I've enjoyed your Lu's Jukebox series, particularly the album of Tom Petty covers, Runnin' Down a Dream. What's a song you wish you'd written? Oh, so many. That's the thing that's probably the hardest about covering other people's material. So many of Tom Petty's and so many of Bob Dylan's songs I wish I'd written. One of the Tom Petty ones that really struck me was Room At the Top. And of course Runnin' Down a Dream too, it just goes on and on. He was just great. What's the weirdest thing you have done for love? The weirdest thing I've done for love? OK … the weirdest thing I've done for love. That adds a different element … It's not called 10 chaotic questions for nothing! OK, does this count? I got married on stage [to Tom] at First Avenue, the eponymous venue in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Lucinda Williams is touring with Paul Kelly around Australia and New Zealand from 26 August to 12 September. See here for all dates
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