Lucinda Williams - Little Honey

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Lucinda Williams - Little Honey

“Given her history of misbegotten record deals, drugs, chin-out temperament and stormy romances, Lucinda Williams has a better claim than most to sing AC/DC’s “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘N’ Roll)” —which she does here in a soulful, rootsy and even more poignant reimagining. Following up 2007’s downcast “West,” “Real Love” kicks things off with gritty guitars and a nod to her current romantic happiness (fiancé Tom Overby co-produced the album) and “Honey Bee” is buoyant rocker, but there’s plenty of cloudy and ambivalent terrain to be found on such tracks as “If Wishes Were Horses,” “Knowing,” the achingly mournful “Rarity” and the cautionary “Little Rock Star.” Williams and Elvis Costello get their twang on for the spirited “Jailhouse Tears,” and a combination of new elements (horns) and powerhouse playing by her touring band Buick 6 bolster the set’s emotional heft. —Gary Graff”