CD Review

Dar Williams's new release showcases a diverse range of sounds that are guaranteed to shift the pendulum on her recording career from coffee house folk singer to mainstream artist. The Beauty Of The Rain, is her most accessible recording to date as it relates instrospective verses with musically pleasing melodies. As perhaps a coy marketing idea to gain a broader audience, the release features a wide variety of today's most talented improvistational musicians: Allison Krauss, John Medeski, John Popper, Bela Fleck, Michael Kang, Stefan Lessard, and David Mansfield are among the many contributors. Although Williams has grown her own cult of fans and righteously defined herself within the singer/songwriter movement with six consistent recordings, this release keeps you on your toes. However, one thing is always certain with Dar Williams: her lyrics shine and her harmonies never stall.

"Mercy Of The Fallen" drenches in Shawn Colvin fashion road weary harmonies mixed with a radio happy chorus that leaves a memorable tune in your mind. John Medeski ads a cool Hammond amongst a track of self discovery in "Farewell To The Old Me." John Popper's harmonica soaks within "I Saw A Bird Fly Away," clearly the album's catchiest tune and a playful collaboration that rings in nursery rhyme whimsicality. "The Beauty Of The Rain" reaches deep down in William's signature simplicity as it grabs the concept of rain and boldly states, "The truth about the rain is how it falls, how it falls how it falls." William's alto displays its most vivid perch in "The World's Not Falling Apart" hitting highs and lows that grab your spirit amongst Stefan Lesard's bass lines. Allsion Krauss joins for the country tasting "The One Who Knows," blending two smooth vocals into one proud lead. "Closer to Me" with Bela Fleck on banjo is the album's strongest tune about letting go of a lover, but growing closer in long distance through various independent adventures. Rob Hyman, who plays keys on a majority of the songs, blends in perfect unison with each song's theme. Fleck and Michael Kang guest on "Fishing In The Morning," a low key affair with breezes of bluegrass that reflect the peacefulness of the title. "Whispering Pines" carries a majestic aura built upon personal poetic lyrics that can make the fog rise. The upbeat "Your Fire Your Soul" picks up the pace upon Medeski's ivories and Steuart Smith's harmonica, further showing that William's potential in a band setting is unlimited.

Although the album is short and finishes before you can absorb the contributions of all the guest performers- it leaves an addicting impression. The lyrics are musical poetry at its finest- identifying with life's simple rewards and complications. Most importantly, this is one album that even men who never imagined owning a woman/singer songwriter album, could be comfortable having in their collection. With its wide mix of musicians balancing the sensitive from the rock, The Beauty Of The Rain is an open book.