Description
Six years seems rather a long time between studio albums, particularly if you are as talented as someone as Dar Williams; The New Yorker has described Williams as “one of America’s very best singer-songwriters.” But if you also write young adult novels and an urban planning study, run songwriting retreats, and then crash smack into a global pandemic, perhaps it’s not that long. Anyway, Williams has now produced ‘I’ll Meet You Here’, a cracking collection of songs, touching on relationships, climate change, body issues and small-town xenophobia. And it is all rather good.
There are no dramatic departures in Dar Williams’ 13th album, I’ll Meet You Here. It’s simply filled with the kind of superbly crafted songs you’d expect, enhanced by the tasteful production of Stewart Lerman, known for his work with The Roches, Elvis Costello, Neko Case, and countless others.
Musically, the record is of a very high standard, with moving cello, tinkling piano and bright guitars and mandolin perfectly placed throughout, and even has Gail Ann Dorsey (of David Bowie’s live band) on bass. But it’s the lyrical content that truly lifts the album, and makes for a very pleasurable listening experience.
