Track Listing

1. Six Blocks Away
2. Something About What Happens When We Talk
3. He Never Got Enough Love
4. Sweet Old World
5. Little Angel, Little Brother
6. Pineola
7. Lines Around Your Eyes
8. Prove My Love
9. Sidewalks of the City
10. Memphis Pearl
11. Hot Blood
12. Which Will

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7976 in Music
• Released on: 1992-08-25
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

Amazon.com essential recording
Granted, Sweet Old World isn't the masterpiece that 1988's Lucinda Williams is. The too-simple explanations of "He Never Got Enough Love" aren't up to Williams's mile-high standards, and the arrangements throughout are often so similar to that previous release's that the melodic differences here aren't as clear as they might've been. But when she raises her vulnerable cry to sing the three, pained perspectives on suicide that are at the heart of this album--the title track, "Little Angel, Little Brother," and "Pineola"--Williams's very humanity provides its own proof that, while this world can indeed be cruel, it can also be oh so sweet. --David Cantwell

Customer Reviews

Poignant and moving
I was inspired to write this review after reading some of the others. "Sweet Old World" is actually my favorite Lucinda Williams album (although they are all favorites in their own way). I would say it is more bluesy than folksy. I find the album's meditations on suicide very poignant and deeply felt, unlike the listener from New York who wrote the weirdly bitter review below. My family has a history of clinical depression, and my sister committed suicide a few years ago. The title song, "Sweet Old World," expresses everything I wish I could have said to her--especially the line "Didn't you think that you were worth anything?" which always makes me cry. If you love exquisite songwriting and singing, and you don't mind being emotionally touched by what you hear, buy this album.

Poignant
This was my first Lucinda Williams CD and my favorite in many ways. Ten years ago it seemed as consistent as her first album, and I admit on re-listening today that it isn't. The instrumentation has become dated, and between that and the New And Improved production on her later releases, I can see how others may have skipped this one or may want to. It would be a loss, though, not to have this CD that speaks so poignantly to loss.

If I had to pick a single favorite Lucinda Williams song, the title track would be tempting. This song about suicide is her masterpiece, and you're not human if you aren't moved by it. It takes a poet to succeed with such a song. "Something About What Happens When We Talk" was the first of her songs I ever heard and remains a particular favorite. On hearing it I began my arguments with myself over whether her simple lyrics were trite or minimalistic. I eventually decided on the latter, and this song is so very intelligent and evocative, like so many here. The theme of suicide and loss from "He Never Got Enough Love" (those songs about men with abusive childhoods haven't stopped or become more subtle from here to "Sweet Side") through "Pineola" is perfectly realized. I don't have Lucinda's gift with words, but hers is used to remarkable effect in this series of songs.

There are lighter pleasures here, from touching story songs ("Six Blocks Away", "Sidewalks of the City") to a fun, sweet love song like "Lines Around Your Eyes". Even before I had those lines I thought this was a great song, and now that we live in a culture that worships youth like never before, you can't beat the sentiment. "Hot Blood" is often a great song live, but unfortunately wasn't recorded in a way that captured the heat. Still, it's a must-have for any fan.

There are weaker moments. Some of the lyrics on "Prove My Love" seem trite, though others are moving, and it's very country. I find "Memphis Pearl a bit maudlin, but not bad. And the cover of "Which Will" is nice enough, but dispensable.

This is probably not the first CD I would recommend for someone who wanted an introduction to Lucinda Williams. It's musically dated, not perfectly consistent, and that's less true of her first CD or of Car Wheels. Still, the sense of it being a theme album for the first half or so of the recording, and a series of truly great songs - "Something About What Happens", "Sweet Old World", "Little Angel", "Pineola" - and a few that are simple fun - "Lines Around Your Eyes" and "Hot Blood" - are essential for any serious Lucinda fan.

Totally underrated!
While the critics were going goo-goo ga-ga over "Car Wheels On A Gravel Road," and desevedly so, it was hard not to notice that this overlooked album is a much better listen in the long run. Not as obvious as Car Wheels, it sort of sneaks up on you like a slow burning fuse and finally explodes with emotion and Lucinda's somewhat understated delivery of a fabulous bunch of songs. Songs like "Sweet Old World" and "Little Angel Little Brother" just don't come arou d every day, and the entire album is up to that standard. Is it country? Sure, but you need not be a country fan to enjoy it. Is it folk? Absolutely. Rock and Roll? Without a doubt. But mostly, it's blues, although not in the traditional sense. It just gives you that same feeling you get after listening to some great blues tunes, yet with a stronger sense of melody. If you like any of Lucinda's work, or are looking for a good introduction, you can't go wrong with this totally underrated release.