Since Lucinda Williams seldom does what the business wants her to, she’s about the last artist you’d expect to see on a nostalgic full-album tour. But she’s doing one, albeit a brief one, this fall to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her self-titled album on Rough Trade (her third album, but the first to get noticed). She’ll perform the whole album, to tie in with a forthcoming deluxe reissue.

A critical sensation from the get-go, Lucinda Williams is now enshrined as one of alternative country’s flagship albums. A good half the tracks are standards by now, notably “Crescent City” (always a big one in this neck of the woods), “Passionate Kisses” (her first hit after Mary Chapin Carpenter covered it) and “Changed the Locks” (the album’s sole rocker, later recorded by Tom Petty and played by half the bar bands in the South). The deep cuts are equally rewarding, notably the despairing “Abandoned” and the closing cover of Howlin’ Wolf’s “I Asked For Water (He Gave Me Gasoline)”—the last trace of the acoustic-blues direction of Williams’ first two albums.

A critical sensation from the get-go, Lucinda Williams is now enshrined as one of alternative country’s flagship albums. A good half the tracks are standards by now, notably “Crescent City” (always a big one in this neck of the woods), “Passionate Kisses” (her first hit after Mary Chapin Carpenter covered it) and “Changed the Locks” (the album’s sole rocker, later recorded by Tom Petty and played by half the bar bands in the South). The deep cuts are equally rewarding, notably the despairing “Abandoned” and the closing cover of Howlin’ Wolf’s “I Asked For Water (He Gave Me Gasoline)”—the last trace of the acoustic-blues direction of Williams’ first two albums.

Since the album has only 12 tracks, you can probably expect a few newer songs as well. But for fans who complain that she usually features only her latest material and doesn’t always play the “hits,” here’s your big chance.

Lucinda Williams live on Sunday, September 15 and Monday, September 16

Doors 7 p.m.  /  Show 8 p.m.  (Monday show includes LMHF Induction)

@ Tipitina’s
Address: 501 Napoleon Ave.
Tickets: $35.00
Phone: 504-895-8477