CD of the Week: A Blessed Lucinda

The often broken hearted, yet always resiliant Lucinda Williams returns with Blessed, WTMD's CD of the Week.

And since getting married to her manager onstage in Minneapolis two years ago, the whiskey-voiced roots rocker seems to blissfully reflect the title of her new record.

The songs on Blessed are less autobiographical and more character-driven. On "Soldier's Song," she sings about a serviceman's battle overseas and his family's on the home front, while standout "Seeing Black" delves into the final dark thoughts of late Georgia songwriter Vic Chestnut and features a blazing guitar solo from Elvis Costello.

Listen all week long for all tracks from Blessed, WTMD's CD of the Week.

Lucinda is asking fans to upload videos on her website to share why they feel blessed. Here's one response:

Mix Tape Thursday, 3/12/09

WTMD listeners take over the airwaves with three-to-five song sets on Thursday.

Submit your own mixtape!

7 a.m. Amanda Torbit

I've seen all of these women in concert and each blew me away like I would never believe, including Bonnie Raitt who I went to see because there was an extra ticket. She totally rocked, what a nice shock.

Patty is my favorite and I just saw her a couple weeks ago at the Meyerhoff and she was by far the best. I never thought I would have a favorite singer because I like so many kinds of music but I'm glad I found Patty and she will remain my favorite forever.

I hope you get as much joy from these women as I do!

• "Words Fell," by Lucinda Williams
  
• "You Got the Silver," by Susan Tedeschi
  
• "Angel from Montgomery," by Bonnie Raitt
• "Forgiveness," by Patty Griffin
  

9 a.m. Laurie Little

We try to support live music and would love more airplay for all of the following bands. Any chance that I can get to share their music with others is chalked up as a good day!

• "Little Black Angels," by Jonah Smith
  
• "Our Love," by Derek Trucks Band
  
• "Magnolia Soul," by Ozomatli
  
• "Heart Can't Tell a Lie," by Los Lonely Boys
• "Barrel House Blues," by Albert Cummings
  

11 a.m. Kevin Burke

Literary and historical inspiration for artists' lyrics.

• "Ramble On," by Led Zeppelin, based on the The Lord of the Rings;
  
• "Riddle in London Town," by State Radio, tells stories of American history;
  
• "The Crane Wife, 1 & 2," by The Decemberists; based on a Japanese folk tale;
  
• "Carolina Drama," by The Raconteurs; Jack White sings about the south as only he can;
• "Franklin's Tower," by The Grateful Dead; More literary connections in one song than many bands put in an entire album.
  

4 p.m. Corey Profit

• "Wonder," (Live) by Colin Meloy
  
• "Imitosis," by Andrew Bird
  
• "Summersong," by The Decemberists
  
• "Beautiful World," by Colin Hay
  
• "Fake Palindromes," by Andrew Bird
  

5 p.m. Grace DeWit

Isn't it all about you, anyway?

• "Bones of You," by Elbow
  
• "Pictures of You," by The Cure
  
• "Thinking of You," by Norah Jones
  
• "Anyone Else But You," by Moldy Peaches
  

6 p.m. Nick Frye

A beautiful girl walks in through the front door of the bar wearing a pair of tapered leg jeans. Her two-tone hair is pulled up in the back and her piercing green eyes are partially covered by her bangs in the front. I stand, unable to move, like a wooden soldier frozen by her enigmatic presence.

I become paranoid and overly aware that I'm just staring. I can't take my eyes off of her. It's as if this is the first day of my life. That's the story of how I met my current girlfriend. Plus, we love all of these bands and songs.

• "Taper Jean Girl," by Kings of Leon
  
• "Bangs," by They Might be Giants
  
• "Wooden Soldiers," by Person L
  
• "Paranoia in B-Flat Major," by The Avett Brothers
• "First Day of My Life," by Bright Eyes