aaamusic | On 12, Oct 2010

Dar Williams takes the listener to the places she loves the most via a double cd which has all it takes to be on your Christmas shopping list. The first part – Songs Revisited With Guitar And A Few Friends – is a collection of back catalogue anthems which have received a special acoustic treatment, while the second part (unnamed) is generous 20 tracks (!!) with the flavour of an art retrospective exhibition.

This marriage could be a risky one and things could not end well, but not for the talented Williams. Instead, she reshapes already beautiful compositions into something more down to heart and gives them a feeling of ‘unheard’, definitely more intimate and with emphasize on the melody (people seem to forget, often charmed by her brilliant lyrics, that the melodies are crafted in such a talented way that they’re worth gold on their own).

Filled with first class guests – think Mary Chapin Carpenter, Gary Louris, Patty Larkin to name but a few – be prepared to be amazed. I won’t spoil the surprise, but just warn you: if you are a fan of “I only like the version I know” then you’ll be disappointed. Whereas, if you like surprises, than this album perhaps offers the greatest one you can have this year.

Dar Williams shows us where she’s been and gives us hints of where the future is taking her – and us – to. And I cannot wait to make that trip.

Author: Alessia Matteoli