At the Theater Akzent

Lucinda Williams thrilled audiences at her Austrian debut

Lucinda Williams with a powerful voice and incredible presence at her first Austrian gig. At her side: ex-Black Crowes guitarist Marc Ford.(Bild: Wegotit)

Her heart beats for rock'n'roll, even limitations after a stroke can't stop her. Lucinda Williams, a gifted songwriter from Louisiana who now lives in Nashville, made a guest appearance in Vienna on Tuesday. Accompanied by a great band, the 71-year-old sang her way through a repertoire of roots rock, blues and alternative country - or in short: Soulful Americana, sometimes earthy, sometimes anthemic, sometimes intimate, enchanted the audience.

The lively "Let's Get The Band Back Together" from the current album "Stories From A Rock'n'Roll Heart" kicked things off in the sold-out Theater Akzent. Williams has to do without her guitar as a result of her illness, the microphone stand serves as a support, but there is an unchanged power in her voice. Early in the set, the fans cheered "Car Wheels On A Gravel Road" from her album of the same name and commercial breakthrough, which she achieved in 1998 a full 20 years after her debut album, long after greats such as Emmylou Harris had raved about her.

An attentive audience
Williams processed childhood memories in "Car Wheels On A Gravel Road", she told the audience on stage. The later, solemn "Where The Song Will Find Me" was about writer's block and the moments when you are kissed by the muse. "That's why you should always have a notebook and pen with you." It is important to her that listeners know what her lyrics are about, the artist emphasized at a backstage meeting after the show. She didn't have to worry yesterday: the auditorium was attentive and enthralled.

(Bild: Wegotit)

"Ghosts Of Highway 20" led deep into the Mississippi delta to the blues, "Blind Pearly Brown" paid homage to the gospel, blues, country and spiritual songs singing and slide guitar playing pastor of the same name, whom Williams experienced live with her father as a child. Hymns ("Get Right With God") and intimate instrumentation merged into exuberant guitar jams ("Joy" as the famous last song). With "Stolen Moments", Williams paid tribute to Tom Petty and the band delicately interspersed his "Wildflowers". There was also room for straight rock with rolled-up sleeves: "New York Comeback", a duet with Bruce Springsteen on the LP, showed this side of the American.

Absolute legend status
Whether indulging with pedal steel or furiously soloing: Doug Pettibone and Marc Ford, recently joined from the Black Crows, on guitars and the other musicians from William's backing band, named by this Buick 6 (after Bob Dylan's "From A Buick 6"), provided the perfect soundscape for the raw yet warm voice. The singer clearly enjoyed the performance just as much as the audience, and her legendary status was underlined by this tour.

APA/Wolfgang Hauptmann