Women & Work
by: Lucero
(ATO Records)
Lucero sends a musical love letter to Memphis on their latest release Women & Work. This collection counts as the group's 8th album.
Lucero streamlines musical lineages of Memphis like Sun Records, STAX
, Elvis, Jim Dickinson, Al Green, Don Nix and Alex Chilton. Frontman Ben Nichols said this about Lucero's musical roots: "Having a band in Memphis puts you in a tradition. We started at punk rock shows, not necessarily playing punk rock, but coming from the outside, from a bohemian place."
These 11 songs infuse rockabilly, soul, country, blues, and R & B into one cohesive sound. Bassist John Stubblefield mentioned recently: "We're more comfortable in our own skin as a band, more comfortable acknowledging regional influences. We wound up making a Memphis country soul record."
Work & Women showcases Lucero's new pedal steel player Todd Beane and a luminous Memphis horn section Jim Spake and Scott Thompson (Al Green, Cat Power). The album opens with a short, quiet electric intro called "Downtown" that sets the tone for this high-water mark collection of songs, which ignites the horn-laced number "On My Way Downtown".
The title track evokes a barrelhouse sentiment that inspires a soulful reckless abandon. When the band plays this song, nobody in the audience will be standing still. "It May Be Too Late" emerges as a pure gem--one of the strongest compositions on this collection...a classic downhearted ballad. The gritty, side-winding "Juniper" conjures tones of Delaney & Bonnie, and then Nichols sings: "She looks like a superhero down on her luck/Surrounded by villains...and the years are catching up." Outstanding rock & roll here folks...
A Booker T & The MGs organ-sounding intro begins "Who Are You Waitin' On". "I Can't Stand To Leave You" injects a moody darkness into the song sequence that fits perfectly in the shadows. "When I Was Young" reflects on memories, places and faces that aren't around anymore. The country-flavored "Sometimes" ranks as one of the finest tunes Lucero ever wrote...musical images evoking emotion as in the line: "And the ghosts down those empty roads all know my name..."
"Like Lightning" sounds like a jukejoint classic that Carl Perkins would love. The final track, "Go Easy", ends this album with a gospel hopefulness where faith is the only answer. Lucero's Women & Work finds the band operating in an unforgettable state of grace...
James Calemine
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