She just published a well-received memoir, put out one of the best albums of her 45-year career and lined up tour dates through next spring — including an unprecedented five-night stand in what she called "another hometown," Minneapolis.
It almost makes you wonder if the news of Lucinda Williams suffering a debilitating stroke in November 2020 was exaggerated or misreported.
When longtime fans see one of the South's most widely celebrated singer/songwriters return north for her marathon run at the Dakota this week — five sold-out shows Monday through Saturday — they will unfortunately recognize one indicator those reports were true: She still can't play guitar after losing some of her motor skills.
"I'm just hoping and praying it comes back in due time, like some other things have," Williams, 70, said of her ability to play the instrument she had heavily leaned on since age 12.
"I couldn't walk across the room without falling down at first, but I learned to walk again. So I'm hoping bit by bit the other things will come back as long as I keep pushing myself."
In the meantime, Williams still has her other primary instrument to lead the way onstage.
None other than Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders put it in a social media post last week after running into Williams in an airport: "Her voice is better than ever in my opinion." Fans who've heard Williams' new album, "Stories From a Rock n Roll Heart," can also confirm her voice remains the definition of rugged beauty, as rich and soulful as ever.
Talking by phone from Nashville in mid-July — she and her Twin Cities-reared husband/manager Tom Overby split their time there and in Los Angeles when not on the road — Williams confirmed that she's feeling good in the vocal department. Really good, in fact.