Customer Reviews

Sings Some Ol' Songs

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Like many of Vic's fans, I would have preferred an album of original material. After all, it was her poignant, playful story-songs about crazy old women, frying pans and trains, all sung in her inimitable Billie-Holiday-meets-Carly-Simon warble, that caught my attention in the first place. Fortunately, Victoria has succeeded in making these classics very much her own. "Mongoose" is a lively, playful romp that sounds like a campground sing-a-long; "Moon River" invites the listener along on a slow, melancholy journey with "two drifters off to see the world..."; and her heartbreaking version of "Somewhere over the Rainbow" will slither under your skin and into your heart. We've all heard this song countless times -- but somehow it never had the same poignancy before. The lyrics to my favorite track, the lively and jazzed-up "Old-Fashioned," ring the truest: "I'm old fashioned ... I like the old fashioned things ..." Indeed, the album may be too old-school for many people's tastes. But those who appreciate nostalgia and the chance to get in touch with their inner child will be richly rewarded. One recommendation: A lot of the slower songs are at the beginning. For variety, you may want to skip ahead to livelier tracks like "Moongoose," "Cobwebs," and "Old-Fashioned." Hopefully I'll have the chance to see some of these numbers live in the Fall!

As my friend who introduced me to Williams said, "She's like licorice - you'll either hate her or fall in love". Williams is definitely her own woman, and her styling is fearless and filled with love for the music and (most of the time) the lyrics. You won't hear a cliche' in any of these renditions. I recommend this collection as a good representation of her approach, and if you like it get some more - if not, still share it with friends, 'cause you never know who's going to respond positively. She's got more than a dozen CDs out, so there's not a trivial fan base.

You will have to look and look for anyone who comes close to the intellect behind Victoria's musical sensibilities. She has a quirky voice but what she can do with it puts her in the highest echelon of great vocalists. Same for her overall musicianship. She infuses these old standards with their full meaning and resonance.

There's another wonderful old standard she does that's not on this album, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes. It's on her Live From Toronto album.

Of course this isn't the essential introduction to Vic's music; however, it's a blessed reward for her fans. Memories of the first time she performed "Over the Rainbow" (in Atlanta), as well as all the other highs she's given us, are evoked in a grand way here.

This CD should probably feature a prominent "for faithful followers only" warning label. If you enjoy the iteration of Victoria's persona in which she sings torch songs and standards in an exceedingly quirky fashion, then by all means snap this up. Her take on 'Moon River' is surprisingly engaging and insightful, but most of rest of the material ('Blue Skies', 'As Time Goes By', 'Someone to Watch Over Me') is far too tired to be roused even by exceeding quirkiness. There's only one unlistenable track here ('Mongoose'), and it's mercifully short, though 'Over the Rainbow' (which is not so short) comes close. In sum, it is likable, but fill out the rest of your Victoria Willliams collection before investing in this one.

I was looking for a female version of moon river, and bought this based on other reviews. Victoria's voice is very odd - sort of like Cyndy Lauper singing in a baby voice. Definitely an acquired taste - I'm curious to hear her other cds, but I don't think I need another in my collection.