West (Lucinda Williams album)

Infobox Album
Name= West
Type= studio
Artist= Lucinda Williams


Released=Start date|2007|2|13
Recorded=
Genre=Folk-rock
Length=
Label=Lost Highway
Producer=Hal Willner, Lucinda Williams
Reviews=
*Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:dxfyxqurldfe link]
*Being There Magazine Rating|4.5|5 [http://beingtheremag.com/reviewalbum.php?id=602&issue=23 link]
*Music Box Rating|4|5 [http://www.musicbox-online.com/reviews-2007/lucindawilliams-west.html link]
*Okayplayer Rating|4|5 [http://www.okayplayer.com/reviews/index.php/weblog/more/west/ link]
*Pitchfork Media (3.5/10) [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/41224-west link]
*"Rolling Stone" Rating|4|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/13314756/west link]
*Twisted Ear Rating|3.5|5 [http://www.twistedear.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=594&Itemid=31 link]
Last album="Live @ The Fillmore"
(2005)
This album="West"
(2007)
Next album="Little Honey" (2008)

"West" is the eighth studio album by Lucinda Williams, her ninth album overall. It was released on February 13, 2007 on Lost Highway Records (see 2007 in music). West is Williams' first studio album since 2003's World Without Tears.

On the Lost Highway website, Williams states: cquote|The songs deal with a chapter in my life and they definitely tell a story. It's probably been the most prolific time in my life as a writer. I'd been through so many changes—my mother's death and a very tumultuous relationship that ended badly—so obviously there's a lot of pain and struggling, but it ends with a look towards the future.

The album debuted at number 14 on the Billboard 200 (the highest chart position of Williams' career), selling about 57,000 copies that week. [ [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003548063 "Norah Rebounds To No. 1 In Post-Grammy Week"] , Billboard.com, February 21, 2007.] According to "Nielsen SoundScan" the album has sold 250,000 copies in the United States up to October 2008. [Ayers, Michael D. [http://www.reuters.com/article/reviewsNews/idUSTRE49303H20081004?sp=true "Lucinda Williams lightens up on 'Honey'"] . "Reuters". October 3 2008.] West was listed #18 on "Rolling Stone"'s list of the Top 50 Albums of 2007. [ROBERT CHRISTGAU, DAVID FRICKE, CHRISTIAN HOARD, ROB SHEFFIELD (December 17, 2007). [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/17601851/the_top_50_albums_of_2007/9 "The Top 50 Albums of 2007"] "Rolling Stone". Retrieved 2007-12-20] "Are You Alright?" was #34 on "Rolling Stone"'s list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007. [No byline (December 11, 2007). [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/17601363/the_100_best_songs_of_2007/9 "The 100 Best Songs of 2007"] "Rolling Stone". Retrieved 2007-12-21]

Williams' fiancé, Tom Overby, is credited as the album's executive producer.

The song "Are You Alright?" was featured on an episode of "House, MD" (season 3, episode 17, first aired April 3, 2007).

The track "Rescue" was featured on an episode of "Brothers and Sisters" (season 1, episode 18, first aired April 8, 2007).

Track listing

All songs were written by Lucinda Williams.
#"Are You Alright?" – 5:18
#"Mama You Sweet" – 4:45
#"Learning How to Live" – 5:12
#"Fancy Funeral" – 4:15
#"Unsuffer Me" – 5:40
#"Everything Has Changed" – 3:38
#"Come On" – 4:53
#"Where Is My Love?" – 5:23
#"Rescue" – 5:35
#"What If" – 5:41
#"Wrap My Head Around That" – 9:07
#"Words" – 3:33
#"West" – 5:40
#"Words (Alternate Version)" – 3:57 (iTunes Bonus Track)

Personnel

*Lucinda Williams – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
*Rob Burger – piano, organ, accordion
*Doug Pettibone – acoustic, electric,, baritone guitar
*Bill Frisell – acoustic, electric guitar
*Tony Garnier – electric bass, double bass
*Jim Keltner – drums, percussion
*Jenny Scheinman – violins
*Rob Brophy – viola
*Tim Loo – cello
*Hal Willner – turntable, samples
*Gary Louris, Gia Ciambotti – background vocals

References