Dar Williams (9/8/07)



Few things could keep me away from going back home and experiencing the Black Swamp Arts Festival in Bowling Green, OH. Dar Williams performing at Finney Chapel in Oberlin is definitely one of them.

Part of the excitement comes from having seen a show at Finney Chapel before. Several years ago the Indigo Girls performed there and it has to be one of the best experiences I've had seeing them. It's in an actual church, so no reserved seating... just pews. The sound and the intimacy is perfect for an acoustic folk show. While I've seen Dar Williams multiple times, she's one of the artists that I just can't get enough of. Her charm, wit, intelligence, storytelling, social activism and brilliant songwriting makes for an almost religious experience. Very fitting it was in a church.

On the day of the show, I realized I was so star struck with Dar's attendance that I never investigated who would be opening. A quick search revealed that it was Lucy Wainwright Roche. I thought wow, that's a star-studded last name. Turns out she's the daughter of Loudon Wainwright III and Suzzy Roche (of The Roches fame). This also makes her half sister of Rufus & Martha. Um, that's instant cred. But I quickly realized while listening to a few tracks from her MySpace page that the credibility is WELL DESERVED. I instantly fell in love what what I was hearing and was almost as excited to see her open as I was to see Dar.

We got to Oberlin early and stopped at The Feve for a drink. We walked over to the Chapel shortly after it opened and immediately bought Lucy's new (and only) CD titled "8 Songs." We took our seats and patiently waited. Unfortunately I was indisposed when she first came on stage, but only missed the first song. Seeing her on stage wasn't exactly what I was expecting from seeing her photos on MySpace. She was much cuter and looked a bit more mature. It also turns out she attended Oberlin College. She was terribly sweet and charming on stage. She interacted with the audience like a pro, and as my friend Tim said, "she IS her father's daughter." She played some great songs, including a cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Everywhere" and Richard Shindell's "Next Best Western," to which she invited Dar out to sing with her. What a killer opener. I HIGHLY Recommend you buy this album.

Here's the Richard Shindell Song:


Dar walked out on stage with just her guitar, her hair pulled back, and the usual glow about her. Here's the setlist:

Calling the Moon
Babysitter (dedicated to Lucy Wainwright Roche - her actual babysitter!)
New Song (Cold Time?)
Spring Street
End of Summer
I Had No Right
Great Unknown
The Ocean (didn't realize this song was about heroin addicts...)
Afterall
Iowa
Mercy of the Fallen
The One Who Knows
Christians and the Pagans
-- Encore--
As Cool As I Am
When I Was a Boy

The only disappointment I had with this show was the lack of new stuff. Only 1 song from her new(ish) album My Better Self and only 1 brand new song was a bit disappointing. Oh well, maybe next time.

One of the best highlights was when Dar asked for a show of lit mobile phones representing how many guys have learned to play Iowa to get with a girl. Then asked how many girls had done the same. :) She talked about how it's such an easy three cord song for such a task - much easier than learning any Ani DiFranco song. :) :)

After the show Dar walked to the front of the church to meet with whoever wanted to hang around. Unfortunately there were many, so I didn't bother fighting the crowd. Besides, I always dread those brief, awkward experiences with a performer who you thoroughly enjoy and respect. I can try desperately for it not to be that way... but it always is. Though I did stop to have Lucy sign my CD and to tell her how I really enjoyed her performance. I can't wait to see her perform a full set. Note that she'll be opening for her father at the Kent Stage on Thursday, November 29th. I highly recommend going for both artists.

Posted: Thu - September 20, 2007 at 07:42 AM           |

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