Essence (Lucinda Williams album)
| Essence | ||||
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| Studio album by Lucinda Williams | ||||
| Released | June 5, 2001 | |||
| Genre | Americana, Alternative country | |||
| Length | 50:58 | |||
| Label | Lost Highway | |||
| Producer |
Bo Ramsey Tom Tucker Lucinda Williams |
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| Lucinda Williams chronology | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Aggregate scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 82/100 |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
| Blender | |
| Chicago Sun-Times | |
| Christgau's Consumer Guide | A− |
| Entertainment Weekly | B+ |
| Los Angeles Times | |
| Q | |
| Rolling Stone |  |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | |
| Spin | 8/10 |
Essence is Lucinda Williams' sixth album. It was released in 2001. The album debuted on the Billboard 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 Spin contrasted 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.
(All songs by Lucinda Williams)
Additional musicians:
...
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