{image1}Lucinda Williams seemed a little out of place among the glowing chandeliers and red velvet of the Pabst Theatre during her sold out appearance Thursday night. Slowly gliding to the stage in a sleeveless black Ramones T-shirt and jeans, instantly Williams tenderly commanded attention with her shy yet confident demeanor.

In truth, a southern juke joint, a broken-down shack or a smoky tavern would have been a more fitting venue. But the night was immediately altered from the moment she breathed her first gentle words into the microphone. Suddenly the elegant surroundings disappeared and there was nothing left but beautiful silence and one distinctive voice.

Backing Williams on this tour were Doug Pettibone on guitar, harmonica and pedal steel; Jim Christie on drums and percussion and Taras Prodaniuk on bass. The trio quietly walked beside Williams, who's powerful harmony guided every moment.

Early in her set, Williams told of younger songwriters and bands preparing to quit after five years asking how she reached her current respected status. Her advice was to give it time. Nearly 30 years into her career, Williams is proof that time is now on her side.

Throughout the timeless evening, Williams performed material from the critically acclaimed "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road," "Essence" and from her most current, "World Without Tears." Rather than crowd the songs with overwhelming arrangements, the group cradled each phrase and emphasized William's weary vulnerability with soft atmospherics. Williams introduced most songs with detailed descriptions and history adding new life to every word to come.

Some of the most beautifully haunting moments of the evening were delivered with "Ventura," "Blue" and "Lake Charles." Phrases like, "Did an angel whisper in your ear, and hold you close to take away your fears," resonated ghost-like and ancient.

Before breaking into the talk-rap pacing of "Righteously," Wiilliams said she's just trying to have fun, regarding recent negative criticism of her departure from strict Americana. "You play street corners and nobody cares at all, then you gain some notoriety and everyone's got something to say about you," she declared.

During one look around the theater I couldn't help but compare the magnetism Williams possesses to that of early Dylan captured in "Don't Look Back." An incredible talent whose life transcends beyond song, while remaining humble and forever young.

The remarkable Jim White opened up the show with his haunting, gothic Americana ballads. White currently resides on David Byrne's Luaka Bop label. His newest album is called "Drill a Hole in that Substrate and Tell Me What You See."