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Entertainment Weekly (1/26/96, p.58) - "...Her second full-length album is alternately haunting, tragic, and whimsical....she may well be folk's most original and incisive songwriter." - Rating: A
MORTAL CITY is rife with whimsy, wit, and the confessional style of songwriting that first draws fans to Dar Williams. Her confessional style is engaging, charming, and rarely self-indulgent.
Williams tackles delicate subjects skillfully. On "As Cool as I Am," for instance, she sings about female jealousy and feelings of inadequacy in male-female relationships. Threatened by a woman who seems to have caught the attention of her lover, Williams wrestles with her own insecurity. Williams emerges victorious, ultimately declaring that she will not be afraid of women and won't allow her herself be intimidated by them.
"The Christians and the Pagans" tells of a woman's Christmastime visit to a relative's house-with her female companion. Family members are miffed (the subject and her buddy are said "pagans"), but Williams' subtle humor and keen sense of melody win the day-and propel the song. MORTAL CITY proves that Williams is a formidable talent who won't be disappearing anytime soon.
Personnel: Dar Williams (vocals, guitar); Katryna Nields, Nerissa Nields, Cliff Eberhardt, Lucy Kaplansky, John Prine (vocals); Larry Campbell (guitar, mandolin, dobro, fiddle); Mark Shulman, Jeff Golub (electric guitar); Eileen Ivers (fiddle); Erik Friedlander, Gideon Freudmann (cello); Art Baron (didgeridoo); William Galison (harmonica); Steve Gaboury (piano) Mark Egan, Zev Katz (bass); Billy Ward (drums, snare drum); Roger Squitero (congas); Sammy Merendino.
Recorded in Dar Williams' bedroom, Massachusetts and at Sorcerer Sound, New York, New York.
This Review Only Copyright 1998-2000 Muze Inc. All rights reserved.
Listen to the Music of Dar Williams on WIZARD RADIO
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