Emerald

Description

Dar Williamss growth as an individual over her two-decade career has gone hand-in-hand with her evolution as an artist. This is perhaps best typified by the release of Emerald, a timely and brilliant album of new songs and collaborations with friends such as Jill Sobule, Richard Thompson, Jim Lauderdale, the Milk Carton Kids, the Hooters, Lucy Wainwright Roche and her mother Suzzy Roche and others in various studios across the U.S. from Maine to NYC and Nashville to L.A. It marks her debut with the UK label, Bread and Butter and is a sparkling collection of new original material, inspired collaborations and some surprising covers such as B.A.D.s Johnny Appleseed making this album one of her best yet. Raised in Chappaqua, N.Y., Williams spent 10 years living in the thriving artistic community of Northampton, Mass., where she began to make the rounds on the coffeehouse circuit. Joan Baez, an early fan of her music, took Williams out on the road and recorded several of her songs.

The Telegraph 19 Best Country Music Albums Of 2015 5*

Review:
Dar Williams is a songwriter of immense talent and her new album, Emerald, is a work of real depth. From the powerful opening song about staying strong in adversity (Something To Get Through) to the mordant Mad River, this is a work of mature and thoughtful songwriting. Richard Thompson on guitar guests on the title song and Suzzy Roche and daughter Lucy Wainwright Roche sing harmonies on a glorious version of Kat Goldmans Weight Of The World. Girl of the World, a song inspired by her visits to an orphanage in Honduras, is another delight on one of the albums of the year.