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Lucinda Williams — Are You Down
Album: Essence
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3545









Released: 2001
Length: 5:19
Plays (last 30 days): 5
Can't put the rain back in the sky
Once it falls down
Please don't cry

Rain turns the dirt into mud
Warm and messy
Like your love

Can't force the river upstream
When it goes south
Know what I mean?

Nothin' will make me take you back
Are you down babe
Down with that?
Comments (381)add comment
What a fabulous artist. Im loving this track.
I just love how trippy, hypnotizing, and powerful this amazing song is... A song for all of us who would love to use snark back at those that snarked at us one too many times... Lucinda's been such a treasure to me!
 carmelmik wrote:

seen Lucinda a few times in Santa Cruz, all great shows.  Talented backing band and sidemen and she's got great soul.



i too have seen her several times in Santa Cruz, simply amazing shows, amazing.
The lady defines, "exquisite".
Nice CBS Sunday Morning story on Lucinda.
 sfyi2001 wrote:
                   

                          Torn up and won't take him back, and still has the gut to ask if he's 'down with that.'

                     




Courage combined with calmness elevates the taunt.
this tune 'puts it all together well' - great elements put together for a wonderful whole
seen Lucinda a few times in Santa Cruz, all great shows.  Talented backing band and sidemen and she's got great soul.
 xkolibuul wrote:

Lucinda is an American treasure.

This is why i gave up on commercial music radio with their SSDD songs
Great!
Lucky to see Lucinda this summer opening for Jason Isbell.  It was her very first show after recovering from her stroke.  She greeted the crowd with "I just got out of rehab... no, not that rehab."  She sounded awesome and really sounded like singing again was good for her soul.

She ended her opening set by saying "I'm like those old blues players, I'm too mean to die."
 fishelicious wrote:

Heard her for the first time and I'´m lovin her music instantly


Lucinda is an American treasure.
Heard her for the first time and I'´m lovin her music instantly
.... When I first heard this  thought that was Doug Pettibone  but  it's Bo Ramsey on guitar f'in awesome job.




 igor wrote:

My now-ex introduced me to Lucinda Williams 15 years ago. Still loving Lucinda :)



You should still love your still-ex as well. That's the Essence. 
 chconger wrote:

Guitar sounds a bit like  Mark  Knopfler


 


Mark Knopfler sounds like a bit of guitar, or could be JJ Cale, or BB King. All dem a bit o' guitar.
The more I hear this song, the stronger it gets. Much like the song itself, as it evolves.
G philip1 wrote:
The most come-to-bed voice ever. 
 
Gawd, I miss her...

 kbs wrote:

Could be JJ Cale backing!
 

Bo Ramsey backing
Seen Lucinda several times.  Always a great back up band.  Saw this tour and she had 
Bo Ramsey on guitar. Awesome player
Guitar sounds a bit like  Mark  Knopfler


 
 bam23 wrote:
I think this album and this song were the peak, so far, of her work.
 
Not sure about that.  "Car wheels on a Gravel Road" is pretty damn good. and her latest album, "Good Souls Better Angels" is quite good.  As for this album, the song "Essence" is the best song on the album, which is saying something because this album is filled with fantastic songs, like "Are You Down"
I think this album and this song were the peak, so far, of her work.
 murr69st335 wrote:
my fav woman and always has great players. particularly Doug pettibone killer guitar . And also Greg leisz and Bill frisell
 
Could be JJ Cale backing!
I like how this song builds up momentum towards the end like a steam train slowly pulling out from the station

Chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga 

I don't think I ever truly absorbed these lyrics before.  Impactful. 

10
 lizardking wrote:

Almost always the word 'but' can be replaced w/ 'and' or something less negative: 

She sings like she's drunk....AND I love it!!  I'm at an 8 on this sultry (drunken?) song....AND....Long Live RP!!
 
Thank you, that was helpful.
The most come-to-bed voice ever. 
That Hammond...
Saw her a few weeks ago at the Parker Playhouse in Ft. Lauderdale.  Great show. 
my fav woman and always has great players. particularly Doug pettibone killer guitar . And also Greg leisz and Bill frisell
I don't usually dig her but with this production it fits! Muahhh
I love this version. Buick 6 drives us straight to Funkytown with Lucinda in the back seat.
 Bleyfusz wrote:


What do you mean with "but"?
 
Almost always the word 'but' can be replaced w/ 'and' or something less negative: 

She sings like she's drunk....AND I love it!!  I'm at an 8 on this sultry (drunken?) song....AND....Long Live RP!!
 LaurieinTucson wrote:

she sings like she's drunk
but I love it
 

What do you mean with "but"?
 Silvervanman wrote:
That is one sexy voiced chick. My girl can sing a bit like her, we might do Essence (the song, not the whole album)
 
she sings like she's drunk
but I love it
That is one sexy voiced chick. My girl can sing a bit like her, we might do Essence (the song, not the whole album)
Just saw Lucinda with her band Buick 6 a few weeks ago.  They put on a great show!
She's playing in Asheville next month ... <sigh>
My rating is only 7  
 igor wrote:
My soon-to-be-ex-wife introduced me to Lucinda Williams when we first met. How appropriate. Sigh.
 
My ex was Lucynda, 5 yrs later I married Lucie, but neither could sing like Lucinda!
smooth .. Beautiful sound for a Sunday morning on (another) snowy day in Northern Ontario
Just pulled this out the other day and I cant believe I let it get so dusty.

Jim Keltner on drums at his best. 
I know it's been mentioned previously but the guitar work on this is really, really good.

Nice comment and pic. The comments on the instrumental parts made me realize 9 > 10.

sfyi2001 wrote:
                   Torn up and won't take him back, and still has the guts to ask if he's 'down with that.'      

Lucinda is incredible in concert! And she tends to small venues...goddess (sigh)
                   

                          Torn up and won't take him back, and still has the gut to ask if he's 'down with that.'

                     


Music: pretty cool. Lyrics: dumb.
My now-ex introduced me to Lucinda Williams 15 years ago. Still loving Lucinda :)
Lucinda ought to collaborate with Ben Harper.  They could sleepily mumble through a song together.

        

                          Yeah, that guitar ~



 
The restraint, darkness, and vocals remind me of Rachel Yamagada.  Speaking of whom:  Hey Bill, howzabout a spin for Rachel?
 zenhead wrote:
I'm not crazy about her voice - she sounds like she just shot up - but I do like her music. This has some nice minimal guitar work. Bo Ramsey?

 
Bo Ramsey is correct!
I'm not crazy about her voice - she sounds like she just shot up - but I do like her music. This has some nice minimal guitar work. Bo Ramsey?
 emile wrote:
This is great!
 
Ridiculously great!
This is great!
 hayduke2 wrote:
Mmmm mm, this woman is godlike

Damn fine instruments on this one too : )

 
yep
ax player is channeling Mark
Love the instruments.
 BillG wrote:

It's Bo Ramsey, actually (longtime associate of Greg Brown & a hell of a guitar player).  Ryan Adams does play on another track on the album.

 
Love Bo's playing. Heard the first note of this song just now and new it was him.
 Arrius wrote:
ArtistCreditRyan AdamsGuitar (Tremolo), Tremolo

Clearly a Mark Knophler vibe but ultimately not as sparkling or full as one would expect from Mark himself.



 
It's Bo Ramsey, actually (longtime associate of Greg Brown & a hell of a guitar player).  Ryan Adams does play on another track on the album.
Lucinda Williams, Monday and Tuesday night at The Ark in Ann Arbor
ArtistCreditRyan AdamsGuitar (Tremolo), Tremolo

Clearly a Mark Knophler vibe but ultimately not as sparkling or full as one would expect from Mark himself.


She kills it on the vocals while the band just mesmerizes .  Yea, I'm down. 


Lovely groove right through, especially when it kicks up a gear.  Her vocals don't grab me, though.  Bit too laid back, probably.  Like she needs a cough.
I am so down with that.
Mmmm mm, this woman is godlike

Damn fine instruments on this one too : )
 idiot_wind wrote:
Hey Lucinda, 

Can you contact Kathleen Edwards and get her out of the coffee shop and you two tour this Summer playing small indoor and outdoor venues?

You can get Bo Ramsey (who played on a few of your previous albums) to join the road show. maybe get Trucks and Tedeshi to join a few shows. 

These shows would be freakin great.  

And bring your "Essence" along with your mojo, baby.   

 
Kathleen Edwards opening for Lucinda would be too much for me to handle.  My brain would explode from the excitement.
 jimtyrrell wrote:
I Love this version although her other version is also great. We saw her in a small club in Annapolis last month and she totally blew us away. She is great and her band is just incredible. Thanks RP for turning me on to Lucinda.

 

Which other version?  The one from Live at the Fillmore?


 myeinthecorner wrote:

I'd second that…three times over, baby!

 
Yeah baby, yeah...
My soon-to-be-ex-wife introduced me to Lucinda Williams when we first met. How appropriate. Sigh.
Nice song but can't get this vocals... 2.
 idiot_wind wrote:
Hey Lucinda, 

Can you contact Kathleen Edwards and get her out of the coffee shop and you two tour this Summer playing small indoor and outdoor venues?

You can get Bo Ramsey (who played on a few of your previous albums) to join the road show. maybe get Trucks and Tedeshi to join a few shows. 

These shows would be freakin great.  

And bring your "Essence" along with your mojo, baby.   

 
I'd second that…three times over, baby!
 easmann wrote:
Not your thing? Got it, no problem. But it's mine, and it's very fine, and it's a nine.

 
Well said. Not my thing. Take my share and have a ball! 
 We saw Lucinda live and she brought the house down. Phenomenal and lovely.

Dahlia_Gumbo wrote:
Have seen Lucinda Williams live and was very disappointed in her performance — but I've never heard this particular song and really liked it!

{#Clap}

 


Have seen Lucinda Williams live and was very disappointed in her performance — but I've never heard this particular song and really liked it!

{#Clap}


>>Well RP just followed this up with Dire Straits so there is a connection there

I think it's more the preceding Calexico lp that bo ramsey also played on
..... stunning, truly stunning
Love Keltner on this one!
 PopKombo wrote:
Is that Mark Knopfler on guitar ... or someone who plays very much like him?

 
Well RP just followed this up with Dire Straits so there is a connection there ...
Is that Mark Knopfler on guitar ... or someone who plays very much like him?
Yes, I know there's a Lyrics button, but I'm posting 'em anyway:

Can't put the rain back in the sky
Once it falls down
Please don't cry
Rain turns the dirt into mud
Warm and messy
Like your love
Can't force the river upstream
When it goes south
Know what I mean?
Nothin' will make me take you back
Are you down babe
Down with that?

This song makes me happy that cavemen started banging wood on rocks . . . and so on.
Not your thing? Got it, no problem. But it's mine, and it's very fine, and it's a nine.
My goodness - three 10s in a row. 

Tosca — Busenfreund
Chicane — Autumn Tactics
Lucinda Williams — Are You Down

Thank you
I love Lucinda's music.
Hey Lucinda, 

Can you contact Kathleen Edwards and get her out of the coffee shop and you two tour this Summer playing small indoor and outdoor venues?

You can get Bo Ramsey (who played on a few of your previous albums) to join the road show. maybe get Trucks and Tedeshi to join a few shows. 

These shows would be freakin great.  

And bring your "Essence" along with your mojo, baby.   
In my dreams I can fly, fly high
Over fields and across the sky
Then I'm awake and I'm back on the ground
If you could take me back up there
I'm down, down with that
 gregr79 wrote:
Lucinda and Gotye duet could be interesting if you strain you can almost hear it can't cha ?  {#Yes}

 
That made me almost like this song. Thanks for the verbal acetaminophen.
I Love this version although her other version is also great. We saw her in a small club in Annapolis last month and she totally blew us away. She is great and her band is just incredible. Thanks RP for turning me on to Lucinda.
sounds Lanoisesque. Bo Ramsey a contributor :-)
 ScottN wrote:
I quite appreciate LW anytime...but at midnight, and with a half dozen glasses of wine, she is Magnificent! {#Good-vibes}

 
 yeah !  great sound !  9 !!!
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Seconded.
Très tasty tune.

 
Mahalo (clink, schlurrrppp, ahhh .. )!
 hayduke2 wrote:
9 from me, everything is cool with this one
 
Seconded.
Très tasty tune.
I guess I'm tired of this one. Good album, tho.
Lucinda and Gotye duet could be interesting if you strain you can almost hear it can't cha ?  {#Yes}

Real nice tune.  I've not been too exposed to Essence and had not heard this.  

Thanks!

Love Lucinda Williams.  "Right in Time" is one of the greatest lust songs ever written.



 
Tasty guitar tone on this track.
 ScottN wrote:
I quite appreciate LW anytime...but at midnight, and with a half dozen glasses of wine, she is Magnificent! {#Good-vibes}

 
Like he said,  a revelation {#Bananajam}
She sings like she's straining on the toilet (superb guitar though)
I quite appreciate LW anytime...but at midnight, and with a half dozen glasses of wine, she is Magnificent! {#Good-vibes}
Over the years she has grown to become my favorite musician.  Her back catalog is just too good.
{#Wave}...... really like this a lot, nice production  8 >>>>>>> 9
I'm down with this - 7>8

 

Follow the link. Buy the CD. Get the Autorip for portable playing...

I seem to do this a lot when listening to RP... probably explains my 1,000+ CDs

OTOH, I have great collection and can pick-choose to follow the mood of the night


9 from me, everything is cool with this one
sucko - barfo, -won't end fast enough yet it seems to keep going...
If you get a chance to see Lucinda et al perform live, spring the best tickets you can afford. Incredible
 jim1964 wrote:

Fred, I fear you are missing the heart of this song, perhaps you should catch up on your zeds.

 

I have to go along with jim on this one, Fred.  Sometimes simply swaying to the feel  - and Bo's guitar - can be a very nice vibe
 fredriley wrote:
I'm 'down' with this dirgefest, right enough. She sounds like she's singing drunkenly in a bar at 2am having been on the sauce since lunchtime {#Sleep}

 
Fred, I fear you are missing the heart of this song, perhaps you should catch up on your zeds.
 kriskome wrote:
Nice. Who is playing guitar?
 

that would be the awesome bo ramsey.  
Oh come on baby ... One more chance
Very nice! Who is on guitar?
yes, babe...{#Notworthy}....beat me, rape me, make me wright bad checks,   i'm yours...
awesome simple song, sounds like my ex-wife wrote it. nice easy listening tune, love the emotion
 fredriley wrote:
...She sounds like she's singing drunkenly in a bar at 2am having been on the sauce since lunchtime {#Sleep}

 
You make that seem like a bad thing.  
{#Dancingbanana_2} 

Yep, Lucinda, I'm down with it, baybay!  Sing on, girl!


 fredriley wrote:
I'm 'down' with this dirgefest, right enough. She sounds like she's singing drunkenly in a bar at 2am having been on the sauce since lunchtime {#Sleep}

 

Hit the nail on the noggin, Senor Frederico.
 fredriley wrote:
I'm 'down' with this dirgefest, right enough. She sounds like she's singing drunkenly in a bar at 2am having been on the sauce since lunchtime {#Sleep}

 
With Mark Knopfler sitting in for the session.{#Lol}
Really dig this, not familiar with the album - good?
I'm 'down' with this dirgefest, right enough. She sounds like she's singing drunkenly in a bar at 2am having been on the sauce since lunchtime {#Sleep}