Set: Disgusted / Happy Woman Blues / I Just Wanted To See You So Bad / The Night’s Too Long / Something About What Happens When We Talk / Pineola / Drunken Angel / Can’t Let Go / Out Of Touch / Essence / Real Live Bleeding Fingers and Broken Guitar Strings / Righteously / Unsuffer Me / Come On / Honey Bee / Tears Of Joy / Real Love / Little Rock Star

Encore: Marching The Hate Machines Into The Sun / For What It’s Worth / It’s A Long Way To The Top

You know you’re in for a special night of live music when Lucinda Williams announces that in lieu of a standard set list, she would perform songs from each record, beginning with 1979′s Ramblin’ and ending with material from Little Honey. Thus, the night began with a beautiful version of “Disgusted” as we followed Lucinda Williams through her entire catalog. A stand out from the very beginning was the gorgeous version of “I Just Wanted to See You So Bad” off her 1988 self-titled release.

It’s apparent from every interview and feature I’ve read that Lucinda is experiencing some of her happiest years, thanks in part to new man and manager Tom Overby. If that wasn’t apparent through her performance it was demonstrated in the playful glances side-stage where she’d be greeted by a smiling and supportive Overby.

When “Drunken Angel” appeared in the set list we entered where my introduction to Lucinda first began with Car Wheels on a Gravel Road. I can still remember the day I purchased the record, on the recommendation of some magazine, and sat transfixed with nothing but the album art and my headphones for a couple hours – an instant fan. Though arguably her biggest hit, “Righteously” got off to a little bit of a false start, she gathered herself, collected a few supportive cheers, and picked up right where she left off.

The Little Honey material was actually what I was most excited for going into the evening. It’s a record that’s hard to put down. Though I was disappointed in not getting “If Wishes Were Horses,” “Real Love” and “Tears of Joy” gave me a good enough sampling of my favorites from the new record.

The encore featured three cover songs, the first two will appear on a forthcoming 4-song EP, “Lu in ’08.” The final and fitting end to the evening was Lucinda’s take on AC/DC’s “It’s A Long Way To The Top,” which was dedicated to “the next President of the United States.” It was a rousing send off to a wonderful evening that sent everyone home satisfied. Here’s hoping we’ll have many more years of performances like last night from Lucinda Williams.

Myspace: Lucinda Williams

Find more MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic