I Own That CD! - Sweet Relief - A Benefit for Victoria Williams

Victoria Williams is a singer-songwriter from Shreveport, Louisiana. In early 1992, just as her career was beginning to take off, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Because she didn’t have health insurance, an array of artists recorded some of Williams’ songs, which then led to the creation of the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, a charity that aids professional musicians in need of health care. The tribute release that came out in 1993 was called Sweet Relief: A Benefit for Victoria Williams, and it’s today’s feature on I Own That CD!

The CD was filled with big alternative acts from the early-90s. Kicking things off is Soul Asylum’s take on “Summer of Drugs” a wistful tune that brings the listener back to their childhood days. The tune takes on a more rock feel, with a soaring chorus. The stars keep shining with the amazing Lucinda Williams take on “Main Road”, a song that would easily fit on Lucinda’s breakthrough classic Car Wheels on a Gravel Road. The two Williams singers fit nicely together in their style and delivery.

The most popular song from the release is next - Pearl Jam’s take on “Crazy Mary”. It certainly is one of my favorites. It showed a different side to the band, tackling an unreleased (at the time) song from Willams. It’s Eddie Vedder shining brightly on this track with his haunting vocals.

Other highlights include tracks from Matthew Sweet, Lou Reed and The Jayhawks. Lou Reed also delivers a classic Lou-kinda track. “Tarbelly And Featherfoot” is a perfect storyteller song for Reed to cover. An impressive take from a true legend.

My favorite track on here is “Opelousas (Sweet Relief)” a gorgeous, rolicking gospel-tinged track from Lone Justice singer Maria McKee, that will have you tapping your toes and nodding your head by the end. With a fantastic band and Counting Crow’s Adam Duritz backing her, it’s clearly the standout track.

The CD closes with the spiritual, moving “Holy Spirit” by folk singer Michelle Shocked. Shocked breaks the song into two parts - first a bluesy track and then turns it up with a bible-belt sing-along.

The CD captured exactly what it accomplished to do - help Williams out with medical bills and bring some of the best, most popular 90s artists together to do so. It’s a fantastic listen and if you want to, you can borrow my copy.