Lucinda Williams Writes of Mia Doi Todd

Williams pays homage to Todd on "Rarity" from Little Honey.

By Matthew Recchia

On Gea, Mia Doi Todd's newest album, the singer-songwriter taps into her expressionist and idealistic side to bring the audience her most sensitive and passionate album yet. She probably didn't anticipate the affect it would have on Lucinda Williams.

In an interview with Newsday, Williams said that "Rarity" from her new album Little Honey (Lost Highway) was written for Todd, her fellow L.A. based singer-songwriter. "I was just really impressed with her-how poetic her songs were, how sophisticated her writing was, the beauty of her voice."

Dealing with the destructive forces that surround a "lover of life," Todd's lyrics show hints of the desperation and hopelessness that follow a vulnerable, helpless romantic. From the opening strums of Todd's guitar, the album flows beautifully, accompanied by the beats of Andres Renteria's hand drums and thumping bass lines from Joshua Abrams. Instrumentalist/composer Miguel Atwood-Ferguson also helps out by contributing the sounds of woodwinds, brass, and string arrangements to add a mystical and organic element to the album

The future looks bright for this relentless romantic, who is off the road after an exhausting US tour that saw her perform twenty-seven times in a span of thirty three days.

To listen to Mia or find information on upcoming performances, check out her Myspace page or website.