Essence is Lucinda Williams' sixth album. It was released in 2001. The album debuted on theBillboard 200 at number 28, selling about 44,500 copies in its first week. According to Billboard as of February 2008, the album had sold 336,000 copies in the U.S.
Essence was highly anticipated coming after a three-year gap from her lauded Car Wheels on a Gravel Road and the critical reviews reflect that. Although positive, none rate the album as highly as her breakthrough. Robert Christgau, who raved about Car Wheels, called the album "imperfect" but still praised her artistry saying "[she] is too damn good to deny." Reviewers noted the difference in tone between the two albums with Rolling Stone citing the "willful intimacy" of the music while Spincontrasted its "halting, spare" presentation with Car Wheels "giddy, verbose" one. In a review posted by Salon the album was called "an emotional mess of a masterpiece".
Q listed Essence as one of the best 50 albums of 2001.
Personnel on the album include Tony Garnier and Charlie Sexton, best known as part of Bob Dylan's live backing band at the time. The album also features session drummer Jim Keltner.
Tracklist
| 1 | Essence (written by Lucinda Williams) Guitar [Tremolo] - Ryan Adams | 5:50 |
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Performance statistics
| Title | Times played | Debut | Last played |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essence | Never played live |
Notes
Credits
- A&R, Other [Artist Development] – Frank Callari
- Acoustic Bass – Tony Garnier (tracks: 4, 11)
- Acoustic Guitar – Lucinda Williams (tracks: 1 to 6, 8, 10)
- Acoustic Guitar [12 String] – Charlie Sexton (tracks: 5)
- Acoustic Guitar [Papoose] – Charlie Sexton (tracks: 4, 7)
- Backing Vocals – Gary Louris (tracks: 7), Jim Lauderdale (tracks: 9, 10), Joy Lynn White (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
- Bass – Tony Garnier (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 7, 8, 10)
- Co-producer – Tom Tucker
- Coordinator [Production] – Mike Griffith
- Drums – Jim Keltner (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 11)
- Drums [Additional] – Charlie Sexton (tracks: 2, 6, 7)
- Drums [Hand] – Charlie Sexton (tracks: 1)
- Edited By [Digital] – Joe Lepinski
- Electric Guitar – Bo Ramsey (tracks: 1 to 8, 10, 11)
- Electric Guitar [Octave] – Charlie Sexton (tracks: 2)
- Guitar – Lucinda Williams (tracks: 7)
- Guitar [Resonator] – Lucinda Williams (tracks: 9)
- Guitar [Tremolo] – Ryan Adams (tracks: 7)
- Illustration [El Romantic/Amor Image Hand Colored By] – Joe King Carrasco
- Illustration [El Romantic/Amor Image] – Doug Jasso
- Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
- Organ [Hammond B-3] – Reese Wynans (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 8)
- Other [Hair & Makeup] – Sheila Davis
- Overtone Voice [Harmony] – Jim Lauderdale (tracks: 1, 2)
- Overtone Voice [One Note Harmony] – Charlie Sexton (tracks: 1, 5)
- Percussion – Jim Keltner (tracks: 3, 8, 11)
- Photography By [Get Right With God Folk Sign] – Bill Ferris
- Photography By, Design [Packaging Design] – Alan Messer
- Piano [Simple] – Charlie Sexton (tracks: 5)
- Producer – Charlie Sexton
- Producer [Basic Tracks] – Bo Ramsey
- Producer, Written-By, Vocals – Lucinda Williams
- Recorded By [Assistant], Mixed By [Assistant] – James (Fluff) Harley*, Joe Lepinski
- Recorded By, Mixed By – Tom Tucker
- Rhythm Guitar – Charlie Sexton (tracks: 1 to 4, 7 to 11)
- Slide Guitar – Bo Ramsey (tracks: 9)
- Violin, Viola – David Mansfield (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 7, 11)
Watch
Lucinda Williams - Essence (Live)
