LUCINDA WILLIAMS SINGS THE BEATLES FROM ABBEY ROAD

Lucinda Williams’ Lu’s Jukebox finds its 7th filling, this time with the songs of The Beatles. Not only that but, to make it more secularly sacred, it has been recorded in Abbey Road. Apparently it is the first time an album of Beatles songs have been recorded there since The Beatles. 

Where Williams’ Texan drawl was ideal for her Dylan record and almost perfect for her interpretation of Tom Petty songs, I wasn’t sure about how she would do with the Fab Four. A first listen to Can’t Buy Me Love and the jury was out.

However, the danger of disaster has been averted by a canny choice of songs. This collection of 12 leans heavily on late Beatles. Indeed, one third are from the last Beatles’ record released Let It Be as if Williams was making her own personal case that it is a better record than many critics suggest. A quarter are from The White album. There are no She Loves Yous here! 

Ms Williams has made her name on bluesy guitar riffs and a voice designed for the shadows. Don’t Let Me Down and Yer Blues are almost written for her, the latter as heavy as Lennon once dreamed it. The Beatles Rooftop strut of I’ve Got A Feeling fits. The excellent guitar playing from Doug Pettibone and Marc Ford hits its peak on While My Guitar Gently Weeps. 

The guitar playing throughout is virtuoso stuff, so tasteful on Harrison’s other contribution, Something and in the piano-less Let It Be which for me transformed from a personal prayer about his band breaking up to McCartney peace chanting as well as his mate John:

 

And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree

There will be an answer, let it be

For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see

There will be an answer, let it be

 

It might be the two more insecure and less covered songs that ring truest. Rain with Siobhan Kennedy’s vocals at their most scrumptious and the depressing drawl of I’m So Tired. Very Lucinda Williams.

Where Lucinda struggles slightly is in the flexibility of her voice. It’s deep resonance does however compensate and Can’t Buy Me Love and I’m Looking Through You become more familiar on repeated listens even if I wish she’d covered Come Together, Revolution and Hey Bulldog instead. 

A satisfying addition.