Day 0867 - Car Wheels on a Gravel Road

Lucinda Williams “Car Wheels on a Gravel Road” (1998)

For Williams’ fifth album, she ended her working relationship with producer Gurf Morlix and worked instead with alt-country star Steve Earle who described it as “the least amount of fun I’ve had working on a record”.  

Whatever the case behind the scenes, the album turned out alright.  It’s loosely classed under the ‘country’ label, but in practise is a mix of rootsy folky country, like on album closer “Jackson”; and melodic Southern-Rock with enough twang and other country affectations to keep it within that camp, such as album opener “Right in Time”.   Similar sound to Sheryl Crow, but (a) more country than that and (b) Lucinda had been releasing music since the 70s so predates Crow.

This didn’t blow my mind, but I found enough to enjoy in there that I’d happily listen to it again.

Day 0453 - Specials

The Specials "Specials" (1979)

The Specials kind of came out fully formed here; from their image (suits and narrow ties, shades and porkpie hats - referencing UK 'mods' and Jamaican 'rude boys'), to their music which was a brash and rocky take on ska, dub and rocksteady... all with a hint of the recent punk movement reflected in it.

A number of the band members sing, but it's the combination of lead singers Neville Staple with his warm round Jamaican accent and Terry Hall with his punkish holler that really help carve out a unique sound amongst the then burgeoning ska scene in the UK. "Too much too young" is a favourite of mine here.




....well goodbye 1970s. You have been an education.