Lucinda Williams: From Theaters to Durty Nellie's?

By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Nov 7, 2011 4:20PM

The high water mark of Lucinda Williams' recording career is easily 1998's Car Wheels on a Gravel Road. Known for making albums at her own pace - Car Wheels was her fifth album in a recording career that started in 1979 - Williams has been downright prolific since, with a new album every 2-3 years.

Williams' post-Car Wheels output has been mostly strong but suffers from both a lack of a voice to bounce ideas with and comparisons to that landmark album. This year's Blessed has a lot in common sonically and thematically with 2003's World Without Tears and finds Williams ruminating on love, life and career: she married her manager Tom Overby onstage in Minneapolis two years ago and recent concerts have seen her positively blissful at moments.

Williams' slow as molasses delivery and marching to her own drum have led to speculation by some fans that her concerts are marred by a drinking problem. Williams isn't one to shy away from a good drink, but live she still puts on a mean show regardless of whether she's feeling her oats. Williams also has the name recognition to play mid-sized venues like the Vic and Riviera on a regular basis, which makes her gig tomorrow night at Durty Nellie's in Palatine especially curious. Adoring fans can view it as an opportunity to see Williams in concert in a very intimate venue; skeptics will say it only puts her closer to the bar.

Lucinda Williams plays Durty Nellie's (180 N. Smith St., Palatine) in a 21+ show 8 p.m. tomorrow night. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets as of post time are still available online.