Lucinda Williams: Fruits of My Labor | NPR Music Front Row

The fire and feel Lucinda Williams brought to the Lincoln Center stage when she headlined this August concert is informed by 25 years of making music. Deeply informed by tradition, her work remains determinedly individualistic and envelope-pushing.
In musical dialogue with her longtime guitarist, Stuart Mathis, Williams pulled evocative pages from her big songbook, going back to 2003 for the soul-stirring "Fruits Of My Labor" while showing her continued currency with recent selections like the empathetic character study "West Memphis" and the soaring, attitudinal "Foolishness."
Williams made no bones about her progressive politics while vamping through "Foolishness" like Americana's own version of Nina Simone. Mathis answered her improvisations with slicing guitar lines of his own. It never took long for Williams to transform the night's mood from quietude to fervor. Then she exited, inimitable spirit intact.
- ANN POWERS
CREDITS
Event Producer: Saidah Blount; Producers: Ann Powers, Mito Habe-Evans, Colin Marshall; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Concert Video Director: Colin Marshall; Production Assistant: Brandi Fullwood; Concert Videographers: Kevin Chiu, Chris Farber, Nickolai Hammar, Niki Walker; Editor: Nicole Conflenti; Special Thanks: Lincoln Center; Executive Producer: Anya Grundmann.

[@robertthole695]

i listen to this song at least once every day....................

[@daniellohnes7802]

Favourite Lucinda song - I could watch her perform every night - what a treasure

[@Buffalobulltofta]

Stuart Mathis, what a fabulous player.

[@BrianCarnevaleB26]

FANTASTIC. ALMOST MADE ME CRY.

[@davidgarza1301]

This song is exhibit A why Lucinda is one of our best songwriters. Period.

[@peacetrain3320]

Best version of some of the best lyrics this girl has ever written! And Stooby doing his thang!

[@bluesybird5119]

Lucinda, you are fit for a queen. You always come through when i need you most. I got out of La Grange.

[@cgillit]

This is my favorite Lucinda song, and that's one helluva high bar.

[@BrianCarnevaleB26]

Lucinda Williams was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana.. So back in 1978, Lucinda Williams recorded her first album and her commercial breakthrough happened with the 1988 album “Car Wheels On a Gravel Road” which had a fused Rock, Blues, Country, and Americana approach. Very deep. Many thanks for this.

[@sigmundhightower1766]

God Bless you Lucinda,

[@shkyrbty]

One of my favorite songs!!!! Great performance, thank you!!!!

[@AlexMR]

I normally dont like any kind of country but this song has me in an absolute chokehold its absolutely beautiful

[@manfredtotzauer9500]

all the best for you lucinda 🌹 😊

[@davidstuart3398]

Amos Lee has just introduced me to this amazing lady . This Xmas day I got a new fantastic artist ,now that's a present in these modern days . LETS GET STARTED LUCINDA

[@thing9923]

Keep the bright and unforgiving light from shinin through

[@allyson--]

Masterpiece 🍋 🍇 🍈

[@jmashe9949]

Sweet, sweet Lucinda..!

[@yikesidfk4710]

I was just wondering if she was on tiny desk cuz SHE IS SO EPIC THIS SOMG IS A MASTERPIECE THANK YOU 🙏

[@taijazvidfish]

Wonderful

[@rachel-xi7oj]

This song helped me through a bad time

[@richardmethot1317]

Gorgeous.....soul....

[@lucindawilliams5091]

You're amazing 😘... I would love to know you more better than this, can you kindly drop me your hangout just to get in touch with you.. thank you

[@RJBenish]

Antifaws answers: Stuart Mathis. Thanks. Fabulous, indeed.

[@lucindawilliams5091]

You're amazing 😘... I would love to know you more better than this, can you kindly drop me your hangout just to get in touch with you.. thank you

[@manuelpenacarretero7647]

Acabo de enamorarme de esta mujer.

[@kilo54]

Thx sweet baby~

[@RJBenish]

Who is the lead guitarist? Beautiful! The feeling is perfect.

[@charlietrots2890]

Stuart Mathis

[@kristophervilleda]

THIS IS THE BEST SAD SONG ever!!!!❤🥺😓😰❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹♥️♥️♥️♥️🌊

[@LenProbert]

be nice if the cameraperson could have filmed the left hand of the accompanying guitarist for those of us trying to figure out how to play that part.

[@dariusdribbles.3981]

Right. Its g/am/c for the verse

[@timoakes450]

aLL iever said was that I'd come and get you-"iROLL WITH YOU nEIL??"

[@timoakes450]

So here's this guy you know -that guy!I said it to you -and I meant it from the very boTtom of my heart-IF you ever need a friend or help and I mean real help-like bustin' you out help, call on me and I'll sway oceans for you-on my life for you miss USA

[@timoakes450]

Very much still here-lol LU

[@arieswaters9862]

sucks .sad Watch her version on AOL sessions.that was AWESOME This is just sad and sucks alot

[@cmerenuge]

at least have some respect for a legend, sheesh

[@MitchellberryPie]

Dude, nobody can hold onto a belting voice like that deep into their 60s. Just not gonna happen.

[@frankfeldman6657]

Your good-natured, not particularly talented, out of tune grandmother.

[@claudevershki]

you Feldman are obviously stupid

[@sealevelbear]

🤦‍♂️

[@lucindawilliams5091]

You're amazing 😘.. please I would love to know you more better than this, can you kindly drop me your hangout just to get in touch with you.. thank you

[@MsProudcherokee]

@@lucindawilliams5091 Oh my goodness Lucinda, you are a sweet, genuine soul. I was honored and priviledged to have met you many years ago in Covington Kentucky after you performed at the Madison Theater. You were kind enough to take a photo with me. Your singing was absolutely angelic, powerful and moving. Anyone who says otherwise is truly out of touch spiritually. Thank you so much for sharing your gifts with the rest of us.