Victoria Williams
Sings Some Ol' Songs (Dualtone)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

---

When I first listened to this 11-song compilation from the traditional American songbook, I immediately thought of singers like Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra or Arthur "Dooley" Wilson. Wilson sang "As Time Goes By" in one of my favorite films of all time, Casablanca, and I couldn't imagine this classic song interpreted any other way. Until now. Victoria Williams' newest Dualtone CD features 11 American classics songs recorded between 1993 and 2002. If you think back on what happened in your life during the 1990's, I'd bet it wouldn't match the challenges that Victoria's faced. In 1992, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and to defray some considerable medical bills, some of her musician friends came together to record some of Williams' original songs, including Lou Reed, Bob Mould, Maria McKee, and Vic Chestnutt, among others. This effort also launched Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, which helps musicians in similar straits: no medical insurance, but potential and artistry to spare. The second Sweet Relief CD featured the songs of Vic Chestnutt, and it's one of the best ideas to catch fire to help musicians in need. While I may tire of Williams' childlike approach to some classic American songs, there's no denying that she's got her own style. There's some great American music on this CD, and it helped me rediscover some of best that American music has to offer.

Track List:

Moon River * Blue Skies * And Roses and Roses * Over The Rainbow * My Funny Valentine * Keep Sweeping Cobwebs Off The Moon * I'm Old Fashioned * As Time Goes By * Someone To Watch Over Me * Mongoose * Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?

© 2002 - Eric Steiner