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Lucinda Williams - Car Wheels on a Gravel Road (Deluxe Edition)

post #1 of 11
10/30/06 at 7:14pm
Thread Starter 
I'd like to give some folks a heads up that Lucinda Williams first big breakthrough album, Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, is now available as a Deluxe Edition selection. I just picked this up the other day and I have to say that they did a very nice job with this particular deluxe edition.

For any fan of Lucinda Williams, it's the bonus material that makes this one worth having. In addition to the original tracks, three bonus tracks are added to CD #1. Additionally, there is a second live CD recorded at about the same time, that includes most of the better tracks from this period.

For anyone who is unfamiliar with Ms. Williams' work, this is an excellent place to start. The original was well recorded, and they did a nice job remastering this one. It doesn't strike me as being recorded too hot, as so much other stuff that I listen to these days. That said, there is a richness to the new CD that I don't remember from the old.

I've been a fan for about 6 months now, ever since a buddy introduced me to her excellent live album, Live at the Filmore. This is, thus far, the best of her studio stuff that I've heard. What really makes it worth trading up, however, is the live stuff. I think I like the energy of Live at the Filmore a bit better right now, but the live Car Wheels CD is cleaner and more precise. It seems to me that she was just getting out of the studio after recording much of this stuff, and that always seems to me to be the best time to hear it as intended...before performing it over and over and over makes it routine.

I'll post more specific impressions later, but I just wanted to post something first and get the discussion going. Did anyone else pick this up, and what are your thoughts??
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post #2 of 11
10/30/06 at 7:38pm
Hi Tom,

Your timing is great. I saw that in the store today and thought about picking up but did not due to the fact that it was priced at thirty bucks and I already have the original.

That being said it is one of my favorite albums (drunken angel and Lake Charles are classic IMHO). I love how her voice can sound so sexy and so sad at the same time. Plus she is a superb writer and observer of the ordinary in a beautiful way.

What I am wondering is how the sound compares to the original (which was already decent). It talks about it being remastered. Can you tell?
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post #3 of 11
10/30/06 at 8:25pm
Thread Starter 
I'm listening to it at work right now (SilverStone DAC, RSA XP-7, AKG K-501), and what I'm listening to has more heft and fullness than I remember. It seems louder (what isn't these days ), but not so much so that it's a problem. The listening session on my home rig seemed to me to present much more of a difference...but in fairness, I'm doing this from memory. I dumped my old copy on LaLa as soon as I got this one. I wish it would have occured to me to listen side by side, as I think it would be a valuable exercise.

That said, the extra material makes it worthwhile IMHO.
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post #4 of 11
10/31/06 at 3:50am
Is this version HDCD?
I had the regular version of this CD and loved it very much. If I remember correctly it was HDCD. I have been planning on replacing my stolen CD, so now I will just get this deluxe edition.
Thank you for this information.
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post #5 of 11
10/31/06 at 11:59am
Hi Tom, who is credited with the remastering on the DE?

This really is one of THE classic albums of the 1990s. I only wish they had uncovered more new material, I'm not really into live albums.
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post #6 of 11
10/31/06 at 12:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by elrod-tom
It seems louder (what isn't these days ), but not so much so that it's a problem.
Louder is always a problem, especially if you notice it. The original was already pretty compressed and loud for the times. Definitely didn't need any more compression. Agree that it's a classic, though I'd rec someone go back to the self-titled from 1988 on Slash if they already have Car Wheels and want some more Lucinda. I still like it even more than Car Wheels, which I do love. And it spawned a string of hits for other artists. Nice and honest recording too, just a totally classy package. Oops, just checked and it seems to be out of print right now. What a shame, all the more reason to snag a copy if you see it. The Koch reissue in '98 had some good bonus tracks, especially the stripped down live radio recording of "Side of the Road". Brilliant, like an angel. I'd say that was the one that put her on the map, at least as a great American songwriter, and certainly is one of the reasons there was so much anticipation for Car Wheels later, and so much written about it as it kept getting delayed, as she kept futzing, and rerecording, and rewriting, and all that. Lucinda is a gem.
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post #7 of 11
10/31/06 at 1:52pm
For people who like Lucinda, particularly Car Wheels, I can heartily recommend this one:




Sexy and sassy.
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post #8 of 11
10/31/06 at 2:13pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by markl
Hi Tom, who is credited with the remastering on the DE?

This really is one of THE classic albums of the 1990s. I only wish they had uncovered more new material, I'm not really into live albums.
Hi Mark,

I'll check it out when I get home this PM...I've not been able to run it down right now.

Don't diss the live CD just yet...it's pretty good, and very much worth listening to. Think Alison Krauss' live CD for an equivalent in terms of quality of performance.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr.PD
Is this version HDCD?
I had the regular version of this CD and loved it very much. If I remember correctly it was HDCD. I have been planning on replacing my stolen CD, so now I will just get this deluxe edition.
Thank you for this information.
The new one, I'm informed, is NOT an HDCD...I'll answer back if I check this PM and find otherwise.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Davey
Louder is always a problem, especially if you notice it. The original was already pretty compressed and loud for the times. Definitely didn't need any more compression.
Might be as loud, or even a little louder, but definately sounds better. BTW - remember that I'm doing this from memory. Don't necessarily take that as the gospel truth.

I'm still enjoying this album a lot....and I promise that I will post some more interesting impressions later.
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post #9 of 11
10/31/06 at 3:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by markl
, who is credited with the remastering on the DE?
Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound.
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post #10 of 11
10/31/06 at 6:00pm
This discussion convinced me to buy it and I found it a better 22$ price here locally.

I agree with both statements made here. It is louder than the original and subjectively sounds better too at least to my ears. It's more open sounding with better seperation of instruments and better detail in her voice. The difference is not huge but it is there

The live stuff is terrific as well. At least as good as the fillmore disk. Good purchase.

By the way Markl, i agree with you about that Shelby Lynne album. Too bad the rest of her stuff is so hit and miss (love shelby for example) though her newest Suit Yourself has some good moments.

As to Lucinda herself, I agree Car wheels is her best album, but Essence is not too far off. It has one my favorites "i envy the wind"
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post #11 of 11
1/8/07 at 9:10pm
Just got the Deluxe Remaster.

It sounds great!

Are you dis-illusioned with the latest bands and music (and if you aren't, then what's the matter with you?).

"Alt-Country" is one of the most pitiful genres ever ill-conceived. Lucinda Williams, though often pigeon-holed in that sad group, transcends that genre and creates her own. She's a genuine artist with real talent.

This album is a stone-cold classic. The original CD sounds quite good, but this remaster is just a little bit better.

Why is such a recent album worthy of a Deluxe Edition? Because it's one of the best albums released in the last 10 years, that's why.

Check it out! (In any form).
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