A Friday with Dar...
My dear friend H emailed me last week to offer me a free ticket to see Dar Williams. H is generous like that (last time she she did this I was introduced to The Sparrow Quartet, with whom I fell in love). Between my passion for live music and my enjoyment of H's company, there was no way I was going to pass the opportunity by.
I didn't/don't know a lot of Dar's stuff (I know...please don't throw things at me all you devoted fans) but I liked what I knew - and happen to be friends with at least 10 people who worship her.
So shedding a hectic Friday as best we could, H and I made our way to the Park West. It was a nice venue, if you don't mind arctic temperatures and crowded aisles which have the wait staff kicking you in the ankles all night (not their fault...it's too crowded for them to do their job). I much prefer Old Town. Still, it was clean and laid back (a sit down, watch and have a drink sort of place) with decent sound and sight lines.
I was glad to experience Dar's music more thoroughly. For most of the set, she played with a pianist and a hand drummer - and I wasn't blown away by that combination. When she played by herself though, she captured me and I enjoy her innovative quirkiness.
My favorite tune of the night was The Babysitter's Here which was so beautifully performed by Dar. It was more than a song - it was a bit of theatre and storytelling as well, and so endearing one could tear up. I've embedded a clip of it here, and while the visual quality is not great - the sound quality allows you to hear some of the nuances, as well as the grace with which she shares this number.
I didn't/don't know a lot of Dar's stuff (I know...please don't throw things at me all you devoted fans) but I liked what I knew - and happen to be friends with at least 10 people who worship her.
So shedding a hectic Friday as best we could, H and I made our way to the Park West. It was a nice venue, if you don't mind arctic temperatures and crowded aisles which have the wait staff kicking you in the ankles all night (not their fault...it's too crowded for them to do their job). I much prefer Old Town. Still, it was clean and laid back (a sit down, watch and have a drink sort of place) with decent sound and sight lines.
I was glad to experience Dar's music more thoroughly. For most of the set, she played with a pianist and a hand drummer - and I wasn't blown away by that combination. When she played by herself though, she captured me and I enjoy her innovative quirkiness.
My favorite tune of the night was The Babysitter's Here which was so beautifully performed by Dar. It was more than a song - it was a bit of theatre and storytelling as well, and so endearing one could tear up. I've embedded a clip of it here, and while the visual quality is not great - the sound quality allows you to hear some of the nuances, as well as the grace with which she shares this number.
Click to view