Musings of a Creek Dipper is an album by the American musician Victoria Williams, released in 1998.[2][3] The album cover artwork is a photograph of Williams in an Oxnard, California, creek.[4] Williams supported the album with a short tour, which included playing the Calgary Folk Music Festival.[5][6]
Musings of a Creek Dipper | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1998 | |||
Label | Atlantic[1] | |||
Producer | Victoria Williams, Trina Shoemaker | |||
Victoria Williams chronology | ||||
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Production
editMusings of a Creek Dipper was produced by Williams and Trina Shoemaker.[7][8] Joey Burns and John Convertino played on the album, as did Greg Leisz.[9][10] Williams employed more horns and strings than on previous albums.[11] She experienced occasional flareups of her multiple sclerosis during the recording sessions.[12]
Many of the album's songs were inspired by living near Joshua Tree, California.[13] Williams's husband, Mark Olson, cowrote some of the songs and also played on the album.[14] Wendy & Lisa provided much of the musical instrumentation to "Train Song (Demise of the Caboose)".[15] The vocals on "Kashmir's Corn" were recorded with Williams's head positioned in the bell of a sousaphone.[16] "Humming Bird" first appeared on The Original Harmony Ridge Creek Dippers.[17] Julie Miller sang on "Rainmaker".[18] "Nature Boy" is a cover of the Nat King Cole song.[19]
Critical reception
editRobert Christgau wrote that "there's eccentric and then there's loopy, and this fragile, well-named follow-up is loopy."[22] Trouser Press thought that "the album's relaxed pace rests the singer comfortably in her own jazz-folk niche, and she has never sounded more at home."[1] The Boston Globe stated: "High and quavery as a child at points, her Melanie-like voice makes even her most sophisticated songs sound as simple as a sing-along."[27] The Chicago Tribune opined that "too often Williams sounds like Olive Oyl at a twee party."[21]
Entertainment Weekly determined that "what's truly remarkable about these songs is how they manage to radiate a sense of wonder without sounding cloyingly precious."[24] Spin concluded that Williams "is unapologetic about her lazy pace and sappy disposition, spinning take-it-or-leave-it tales of cozy cabins and pretty clouds."[26] The Hamilton Spectator noted that, "by providing an atmosphere conducive to Williams' charms, Shoemaker ... has produced a bewitching, gratifying record that finally capitalizes on the singer's unique gifts."[25]
AllMusic wrote that Williams "expands her musical skills on Musings of a Creekdipper, finding an original, eclectically rural sound that enhances the off-center originality of her songs."[20]
Track listing
editNo. | Titel | Length |
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1. | "Periwinkle Sky" | |
2. | "Rainmaker" | |
3. | "Kashmir's Corn" | |
4. | "Train Song (Demise of the Caboose)" | |
5. | "Last Word" | |
6. | "Nature Boy" | |
7. | "Tree Song (Eucalyptus Lullabye)" | |
8. | "Let It Be So" | |
9. | "Allergic Boy" | |
10. | "Humming Bird" | |
11. | "Grandpa in the Cornpatch" | |
12. | "Blackbirds Rise" |
References
edit- ^ a b "Victoria Williams". Trouser Press. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- ^ Myers, Ben (Apr 18, 1998). "Musings of a Creek Dipper". Melody Maker. Vol. 75, no. 16. p. 38.
- ^ The Rough Guide to Rock (2nd ed.). Rough Guides Ltd. 1999. p. 1090.
- ^ Drennen, Eileen M. (11 Jan 1998). "Victoria (No Longer a Secret)". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. L1.
- ^ Harrington, Richard (16 Mar 1998). "A Heart in Her Song". The Washington Post. p. C1.
- ^ Mayes, Alison (22 July 1998). "Victoria Williams stays on the sunny side". Calgary Herald. p. E1.
- ^ a b MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 1232.
- ^ Zak, Albin (November 20, 2001). The Poetics of Rock: Cutting Tracks, Making Records. University of California Press. ISBN 9780520232242.
- ^ "Victoria Williams loves you". Perfect Sound Forever.
- ^ Tayler, Letta (18 Jan 1998). "A Folk-Seasoned Pop Stew". Newsday. p. D27.
- ^ a b (The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon & Schuster. 2004. p. 877.
- ^ a b Bacon, Scott (25 Jan 1998). "Victoria Williams 'Musings of a Creek Dipper'". The Indianapolis Star. p. I5.
- ^ Appleford, Steve (28 Jan 1998). "2 Creekdippers Make Music in Seclusion". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. D1.
- ^ Violanti, Anthony (January 16, 1998). "Celestial Voices – Victoria Williams and Her Heavenly Sounds". The Buffalo News. p. G26.
- ^ Puterbaugh, Parke (Apr 1998). "Victoria Williams's Antic Muse". Stereo Review. Vol. 63, no. 4. pp. 84–85.
- ^ Massey, Howard (April 12, 2000). Behind the Glass: Top Record Producers Tell How They Craft the Hits. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9780879309558.
- ^ Bream, Jon (13 Jan 1998). "Disc of the week". Star Tribune. p. 3E.
- ^ Guarino, Mark (16 Jan 1998). "Williams' songs can develop into gems". Time Out. Daily Herald. p. 9.
- ^ Takiff, Jonathan (16 Jan 1998). "Tunes from Subtle to Smart". Philadelphia Daily News. p. F16.
- ^ a b "Musings of a Creek Dipper". AllMusic.
- ^ a b Caro, Mark (23 Jan 1998). "Album reviews". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 44.
- ^ a b "Victoria Williams". Robert Christgau.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 8. MUZE. p. 694.
- ^ a b "Musings of a Creekdipper". Entertainment Weekly.
- ^ a b Krewen, Nick (20 Jan 1998). "Williams at her best in Musings". The Hamilton Spectator. p. B6.
- ^ a b Vowell, Sarah (Feb 1998). "Reviews". Spin. Vol. 14, no. 2. p. 104.
- ^ Simon, Clea (22 Jan 1998). "Victoria Williams Musings of a Creek Dipper". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 21.