Tune In, Turn On
With Doug Deutsch
Thank you Bob Rose and the Ocean City Music Pier for bringing Lucinda Williams, one of rock music’s most relevant, talented and respected artists, to our area this Saturday night, Nov. 23.
This is her ‘Stories From A Rock N Roll Heart’ Tour, also the title of her terrific 2023 album produced by her husband, Tom Overbay, who co-wrote all 10 tracks on “Rock N Roll Heart” plus manages her. Respected New York musician Jesse Malin who, like Williams, is recuperating from a stroke, co-wrote several tracks.
Williams is also an author. She released the autobiographical “Don’t Tell Anybody The Secrets I Told You” in 2023, which became a New York Times Best Seller (my girlfriend is reading it now).
Williams has resumed touring after her stroke in 2020, which initially kept her from performing.
“Well, I’m struggling with [my hands]. It hurts. I can barely make a chord because it hurts so bad,” Lucinda told Boston.com. “It feels like what I imagine arthritis feels like. I probably have some of that.”
The native of Lake Charles, La. won’t be strumming her familiar guitar, but we still get to hear her distinct, arresting, forever-Southern, bluesy voice, which continues to shine on.
Expect to hear tracks like the rousing “Let’s Get The Band Back Together Again” and poignant “Never Gonna Fade Away,” where Williams sings, “when I get like this, and nothing’s gonna fix it, and I’m getting sick of it, and all I want to do is quit… I’m not gonna fade away, I’m never gonna fade away.”
Lyrics were always a strength of the three-time Grammy winner who calls Nashville home. New Jersey’s favorite son Bruce Springsteen and wife Patti Scialfa join Lucinda on title track, “Rock N Roll Heart” and deeply personal “New York Comeback,” about having to not only re-learn to play her beloved guitar, but also having to learn to walk again.
“You wouldn’t want to miss my New York Comeback,” Williams sings confidently, backed by that all-too-familiar raspy Springsteen drawl. Instant classic.
Next up: “Lucinda Williams Sings The Beatles From Abbey Road,” (to be released Dec. 6), a passion project for the ageless Williams, and latest installment of Lu’s Jukebox, a series where she records music by some of her favorite artists: Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and The Rolling Stones.
In Ocean City, expect Williams to perform songs from “Lucinda Sings The Beatles” in addition to her much-loved songbook (“Drunken Angel,” “Are You Alright?, “Car Wheels On A Gravel Road,” and personal favorite, “Metal Firecracker”: “Once we rode together, in a metal firecracker, you told me I was your queen, you told me I was your biker, you told me I was everything.” Songs for the soundtrack of a life well-lived and guided by love. Her music is especially appealing if you favor singer-songwriters with an alt-country flavor.
Now I get to cross off one of my musical bucket list items: “See Lucinda Williams live.”
WXPN Welcomes Lucinda Williams and Her Band at Ocean City Music Pier, 825 Boardwalk, Ocean City, Saturday, Nov. 23. Doors open at 7 p.m.; show starts at 8. Call 609-525-9300.
Ticket info: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/89399487/lucinda-williams-and-her-band-ocean-city-ocean-city-music-pier?
Amanda Fish/Lizzie Rose Music Hall, Nov. 24: A product of Kansas City, Mo.’s robust blues scene, Fish is back with a new album, “Kingdom,” on which she plays bass, guitar and piano in addition to vocals.
“We recorded at Blue Lotus Studio in St. Louis with recording engineer, musician, and all-around renaissance man, Paul Niehaus, IV.,” Amanda told me via email while on the road prior to her show next Sunday night at Lizzie Rose.
“I sought him out because the other records I heard coming from his studio had that same authentic warmth and feel of the old retro records from the ’70s. I feel like my album is part ‘praise and worship gospel’ and part Vietnam-era protest songs set in the modern day,” continues Fish, “and Paul was the guy to deliver that.”
Can’t say I was very familiar with Fish’s music, but I have been listening to “Kingdom” on Sirius XM and it’s good stuff. (217 E. Main, Route 9, Tuckerton. Lizzierosemusic.com).
Jeff Hartman/Katz JCC, Nov. 23: Comic Robert Klein memorably sang the blues and played a tight harmonica at the JCC in Margate, where local singer-songwriter Jeff Hartman performs on Saturday.
“Performing as a solo act for a hometown crowd will be a wonderfully rewarding experience for me,” says Hartman. “My audiences are always very special to me and I am so grateful to share my music with all who attend this wonderful fundraiser for the JCC.” It’s located at 501 N. Jerome Ave. in Margate. Show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets/info at jccatlantic.org.
Heading to the Keswick Theatre with photographer pal John Loreaux for the Ruf Records 30th Anniversary Tour featuring Samantha Fish, Canned Heat, Mitch Ryder, Bernard Allison, and Ghalia Volt. First in a new Rockin Road Trip series. Be well, until next week.
Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug also hàs experience writing for the one time shore-based weekly publication, Whoot! He also was a team member with Chip Braymes Advertising. Doug loves bicycling and aspires to bring the Blues to Atlantic City. He can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com and www.facebook.com/dougdeutschpublicity.
