Dar Williams

The show was quaint, and very, very humble. Just a guitar on a stand, a microphone and a grand piano were on the stage, but only one person walked out. She said her name was Dar Williams, and started to play a song called, "The Light and the Sea". The song started with light strumming on an acoustic guitar, and Williams' powerful, hushed country influenced voice, yearningly churning out poetry. Her use of recurring themes in her songs was powerful, and created a very passionate sounding song.

The greatest thing about her first song, in my opinion, was her stunning use of simple chords for the backdrop of her vocals, and extremely powerful, nostalgia-inducing chords and strumming for musical bridges. Unlike other songwriters, it seemed like she used the bridges of her songs as climaxes rather than as a transitions. When the song was over, she began chatting with the audience, who completely loved her. Every anecdote that she shared was met with laughter and joy. She seemed to be able to really connect with people on a comforting level. She ended her anecdote with a transition into her song, and it was beautiful, and allowed for so much more understanding of her beautiful lyrics and songwriting.

I have seen Dar Williams perform live perhaps 20 times over the past 20 years. I'm marking April 14, 2018 as the night that her voice never sounded better. Crystal clear with an ease and purity that I've never heard before. Just sublime.

Awesome show. Very personal and intimate in spite of a large venue. I very much enjoyed enjoyed hearing of the genesis of many of her songs. All her songs speak to a philosophy of understanding and inclusiveness