Williams was already a critically hailed singer-songwriter by the time she released Car Wheels On A Gravel Road – she’d even received a Grammy for Mary Chapin-Carpenter’s cover of “Passionate Kisses” in 1994. Problem was, label drama and her own perfectionism was keeping her from getting to enjoy the limelight. Even before she had to move from American Records to Mercury, she’d recorded the album twice over and did countless vocal takes. But the six years it took to complete Gravel Road was worth it, as it not only won the Pazz’n’Jop Critics’ poll and took a home a Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album, it even went gold, proving that the complex emotions and literary detail her hardcore fans loved wouldn’t stand in the way of reaching a wider audience. Having proven herself to the suits, she’s been dropping an album every three years or so ever since.

Joe of Malvern, PA wants you to try this
Megan of Spring City, PA remembers Lucinda at the TLA
Geoff Harrington of West Chester, PA also remembers Lucinda at the TLA