Kweevak.com Rock Report: Checking Out Dar Williams! (Concert Review)

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Checking Out Dar Williams
at The Ringwood Public Library
A Kweevak.com Rock Report by Rich and Laura Lynch

Dar Williams grew up in Chappaqua, New York. She started playing guitar at age nine and a few years later penned her first song. After graduating from high school, Williams went to Wesleyan University to major in theater. She lived in the vicinity of Boston for years working in the field, studying voice and playing the coffee house circuit. Williams was noticed by Joan Baez who invited Dar to join her on tour, widening Williams' exposure and heightening her profile.

Dar Williams onstage during her sold out show at the RPL.

Dar gained respect for her folk rock compositions that covered the gamut from adolescence, family, gender, issues, relationships and religion. Promised Land is Dar's most recent release with a subtle blend of pop and rock in the folk formula she is most well known for. It was produced by Brad Wood who has worked with Pete Yorn, Liz Phair and Smashing Pumpkins. The album is a tapestry of tales of people from past and present.

This singer/songwriter is also an author and activist who is involved in environmental and social issues in New York. Traveling down state, Dar performed at Ringwood's New Legacy Concert Series (celebrating its eighth year at the library) on Sunday, January 25, 2009. The stage was set with a back drop of the outdoor Reading Garden and stacks of books - an intellectual setting for an insightful artist. The New Legacy Series prides itself on the array of artists who have appeared there and generally have a once only rule but an exception was made for Dar who played to an attentive full house.

Williams - solo and armed with an acoustic guitar - took center stage, starting the first of two sets with her visual, vivid song "The Babysitter's Here" about the best nanny ever. The piece was presented from a child's perspective and ends sadly with the baby-sitter moving on.

Throughout the show, Dar shared insights into her songs and the scattered patterns that often influenced them. "The Tide Falls Away" was inspired by Minnesota, Gary from the Jayhawks and poetry. It was a stark and starling song about time and things falling away. It was followed by a pensive piece that showcased Dar pleasing voice and precise picking.

"Spring Street" was a cautionary composition that Dar wrote to herself when living in NYC to maintain her non-materialist values in the face of life in seductive Soho. It was a descriptive dialog about consumerism and life.

"I Had No Right" was inspired by a book about Catholic Jesuits that stood up against an un-just war. The song was executed with passion, pointing out the pains of conflicts and war.

"Holly Tree", one of a number of newer songs that Williams performed , was a haunting hymn about the witch trials with a plaintive plea "we'll save the baby". But even the child is not saved in this chilling landscape of lyrics.

Dar opened her second set with another song from Promised Land. "The Easy Way" was a perky piece despite its pointed prose about people and relationships. It was followed by Williams' opulent ode to "The Hudson" with vibrant, visual descriptions of the river region in New York state.

"You Are Everyone" combined stark strumming with salient song craft. Followed by the blunt, brash "Buzzer", which examined the Milgram (obedience) experiments of the 1960's.

Dar's two sets were peppered with chat and concise compositions spanning her career. Williams often referred to her son and mentioned that he was the source for "Summerday" a sunny yet serious song.

Dar made a point of thanking the audience, the library and its volunteers including the sound man (Tom) for how smooth the show went. Williams mentioned her childhood friend Lisa who was in attendance and that it was Lisa's mom who introduced Dar to feminism at age six. The banter provided the perfect intro for the show closer - "When I Was a Boy" - a song about a tomboy who knows change is coming. Williams returned for an encore - playing "The Christians And The Pagans" - an animated anecdote about religious differences and people trying to make peace at a meal. It was a fan favorite and ended the engaging event on a high note.

Related Links: For more information on DAR WILLIAMS and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- DarWilliams.com | Buy Promised Land | Ringwood Public Library | Marcia Ball/RPL

Originally Published: 01/27/2009 on Kweevak.com

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