in which dar williams releases a most excellent greatest hits album

so, a good number of years ago, in the aftermath of an extremely messy break-up, i stumbled across dar williams and her gorgeous songs. i was a bit of a cd making freak back then (yes, after mix-taps and before mp3 playlists) and spent a frightening amount of time in record stores and online, searching for meaningful music that would help steer me back to where i wanted to go. dar williams was one of the artists i gravitated towards, thanks to a plethora of beauty, vivid, strong lyrics, and songs i could relate to.

if you wrote me was one of those songs i clung to for awhile, sort of like a wubbie. not all of the lyrics fit (which makes the song still loved and listenable all these years later), but it was enough at the time for me to say: this song here, it speaks for me.

i never thought you were the letter writing type
so now i see the words you chose, the way you write
so i started to write back about the trees in the snow
and i saw a bird, couldn't say what it was; but i thought you'd know
you always surprised me

and if i wrote you
if i wrote you
you would know me
and you would not write me again

and when the spring came and flooded all the streams
it's like how you got the night you told me all you dreams
and when the barn roof sagged after an icy bout
it's like how you shrugged when you knew the truth was the only way out

but not the only way
oh, no

and if i wrote you
if i wrote you
you would know me
and you would not write me again

we drew our arms around the bastard sons
we never would drink to the chosen ones
well you know the way i left was not the way i planned
but i thought the world needed love and a steady hand
so i'm steady now, yeah

and i'm so happy
i had to tell you
and i love you
and you will not write me again

williams released this week a two-disc, greatest hits set: many great companions. one disc is a catalogue of her best work, if i wrote you, included. the second disc is a number of songs altered and paired with guest musicians, including the delightful mary chapin carpenter (who i have many fuzzy, warm feelings for as a friend of mine and i in college listened to one of her cds until we knew every single word), patty larkin, gary louris (of the jayhawks) sara & sean watkins (of nickle creek), and the motherload trio. it's hard to top her regular catalogue, but williams brings it in her revisions, adding additional guitars and vocals to enhance, rather than detract, from her songs' beauty. both albums are swoon-worthy, meant for reflection and peace rather than white noise.

here is a duet between williams and louris, singing if i wrote you:

(mp3) if i wrote you by dar williams & gary louris

and an acoustic version of as cool as i am, also with louris:

(mp3) as cool as i am by dar williams & gary louris

dar williams will be touring, if you want to catch her:

Oct 15 – New York, NY – Residency @ City Winery
Oct 16 – New York, NY – Residency @ City Winery
Oct 26 – Evanston, IL - SPACE
Oct 27 – Madison, WI - Barrymore Theatre
Oct 29 – Minneapolis, MN – Residency @ Dowling Studio in Guthrie Theatre
Oct 30 – Minneapolis, MN – Residency @ Dowling Studio in Guthrie Theatre
Nov 5 – Portsmouth, NH – South Church
Nov 6 – White River Junction, VT – Tupelo Music Hall
Nov 14 – Seattle, WA – Residency @ Triple Door
Nov 15 – Seattle, WA – Residency @ Triple Door
Nov 18 – Arcata, CA – The Jambalaya
Nov 19 – Crystal Bay, NV – The Crystal Bay Club
Nov 20 – Livermore, CA – Livermore Valley Performing Arts
Nov 21 – Los Angeles, CA – Residency @ Hotel Café
Nov 22 – Los Angeles, CA – Residency @ Hotel Café

i sure hope i can make it to hotel café to see her!

buy many great companions on itunes HERE

additionally, williams will be doing a live chat on friday, october 15 at 12:30 EST. if you want to ask her anything, come back to this post and watch it here!

darwilliams on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free