As part of a wave of new folk singer-songwriters emerging out of the Boston area in the early ‘90s, Dar Williams has wound up playing with and becoming friends with numerous famous names (up to and including Cry Cry Cry, a side project she formed with Richard Shindell and Lucy Kaplansky). While she’s quite considerate and thoughtful in giving props to various musical friends and influences, Williams was also reluctant to name who some of her faves are for fear of offending anyone. That said, I managed to get at least three out of her and why:
Paul Simon
“He was from the metro New York area and he’d write about things from inside from
inside and outside of the city and that was my muse.”
(Now and then)
Cat Stevens
“[I’m into Cat] because of his attempts at mysticism.”
Fairport Convention
“They had that beautiful troubadour sound and while they’re not singer-songwriters, they come from that tradition.”
