I’ll Meet You Here
Renew, 2021
9/10
It’s been 6 years since Dar Williams has released an album, but the singer-songwriter has stayed plenty busy being an educator, urban-planning expert and also writing a new book. On this 12th LP, Williams and her longtime producer, Stewart Lerman, actually tracked most of I’ll Meet You Here in 2019, but the repercussions of Covid delayed the record until now.
Williams starts the listen with the warm acoustic strummer, “Time, Be My Friend”, where her comforting vocals and eloquent storytelling unfolds with grace and melody, and “You Give It All Away” follows with bright brass as playful drumming and takes help from Bryn Roberts on Hammond B3 and Steuart Smith’s agile electric guitar.
Entering the middle, “Magical Thinking” offers a gentle and soothing climate that takes help from Paul Socolow’s precise bass and Doug Yowell’s reserved drumming, while “Little Town” displays Dave Eggar’s well timed cello and Erik Della Penna’s subtle electric guitar as Williams’ emotive singing makes a big impact. “Berkeley”, a truly exceptional tune, then places Entcho Todorov’s viola and David Mansfield’s violin into a very sophisticated and stirring version of chamber rock.
The final 2 tracks continue the strong songwriting of what comes before it, where “Sullivan Lane” welcomes The Sweet Remains on harmony vocals as the setting turns dreamy with pop leanings, and “You’re Aging Well” exits the listen with just Williams and piano, where she resurrects a tune off her first album and delivers with sublime intimacy.
Williams is at a great place in her life, personally and professionally, and that vantage point lends itself to some of her best songs to date, as evidenced by the rootsy/Americana ideas that are never far from the surface, and the diverse contributions match the versatility of her timeless vision.
Travels well with: Gretchen Peters- Dancing With The Beast; Erin McKeown- Manifestra