Early in her career, Victoria Williams showed snatches of scattershot brilliance amidst an occasionally maddening amount of clutter. But upon marrying ex-Jayhawk Mark Olson and moving to a ranch in Joshua Tree, California,... more » the singer-songwriter's newfound serenity and sense of place blossomed into a minor masterpiece: 1998's sweeping yet intimate Musings of a Creekdipper spoke frankly of mortality and the reassurance of love, family, and faith. Water to Drink mostly melds the down-home folksiness of her Creek Dippers side project with her own expressive jazzy pop, but she isn't shy about stretching out into funk ("Junk") and even bossa nova (the title track is an Anglicized cover of Joao Gilberto's "Agua de Beber"). Love and affirmation are again overriding themes, as titles such as "You Can Be," "Joy of Love," and "A Little Bit of Love" attest. While Water to Drink is by no means a better album than its predecessor, it's more fun: Williams revels in these songs and the giddy, girlish covers of "Until the Real Thing Comes Along" and "Young at Heart." That said, the best songs here are the quirky character studies, especially "Gladys and Lucy." --Anders Smith-Lindall« less
Early in her career, Victoria Williams showed snatches of scattershot brilliance amidst an occasionally maddening amount of clutter. But upon marrying ex-Jayhawk Mark Olson and moving to a ranch in Joshua Tree, California, the singer-songwriter's newfound serenity and sense of place blossomed into a minor masterpiece: 1998's sweeping yet intimate Musings of a Creekdipper spoke frankly of mortality and the reassurance of love, family, and faith. Water to Drink mostly melds the down-home folksiness of her Creek Dippers side project with her own expressive jazzy pop, but she isn't shy about stretching out into funk ("Junk") and even bossa nova (the title track is an Anglicized cover of Joao Gilberto's "Agua de Beber"). Love and affirmation are again overriding themes, as titles such as "You Can Be," "Joy of Love," and "A Little Bit of Love" attest. While Water to Drink is by no means a better album than its predecessor, it's more fun: Williams revels in these songs and the giddy, girlish covers of "Until the Real Thing Comes Along" and "Young at Heart." That said, the best songs here are the quirky character studies, especially "Gladys and Lucy." --Anders Smith-Lindall
A triumphant return to the positive vibes of "Loose"
S Dawg McGraw | Los Angeles CA | 08/16/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Fifth CD from offbeat singer-songwriter may just be her best yet! While I grew to appreciate her last work, "Musings of a Creekdipper," it did not grab me as 1994's "Loose" did. With this new album, Victoria returns to her roots: writing uplifting, "feel-good" songs about salt-of-the-earth folks and assorted oddballs. She remains refreshingly down-to-earth and unpretentious. While Victoria's unconventional voice and unique arrangements may keep her off of Top 40 radio, I think "Water to Drink" will expand her fan base. My favorite songs are "Gladys and Lucy," "Grandma's Hat Pin" and "Junk." My only criticism is that I am not as crazy about Victoria's covers of standards as I am about her original compositions."
Another California desert madwoman
lelak | Sydney, Australia | 09/21/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"More immediately accessible than her previous work, Musings Of A Creekdipper, but by the same token, its very accessibility keeps it from brilliance. Less risks taken = less moments of brilliance. That said, the title track, "Water To Drink", has me compulsively tapping my feet. It's far from a let-down; fans old and new won't be disappointed in purchasing this album."
Water To Drink " A Little Bit of Love" in a Powerful Package
Blue Bayou Hound | Atlanta GA USA | 08/18/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This record is wonderful and has POWER. Vic's stuff is so sophisticated and multi-layered. Its great for over and over and over listening. This morning on the way to work I had it cranked up on the cd system. It was probably about my 6th listen and suddenly I realized how completely involved I was with the music. It was taking me to another place (maybe not so good when I'm driving :)), but it is evocative, emotional and oh so together. There is a great mix of her own stuff and her OWN take on Standards. The inflection in her voice and the timeing on the Standards make them ever more memorable. She always ends each cd with an uplifting, ethereal, very spiritual number and " A Little Bit of Love" is all of that. I found myself tearing up at the power of it. But it was a good cry, the kind that makes you feel better for having had it, a cry for "A Little Bit of Love". While I love this cd, I still urge everyone to see her LIVE, she is a true improviser and her shows are full of surprises and humor and love. It doesn't hurt one bit that she is a great musician and always surrounds herself with the GREATEST. Buy this one and if you don't have them go back to "Happy Come Home" (her first) and start a collection. You won't be disappointed. Its an amazing, powerful body of work."
One of her best
S Dawg McGraw | 09/07/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"this might be among my favorite albums of the year. i'm drawn to it like no other recent release; perhaps it's merely an antidote to the iommi solo album or the deftones. i first saw victoria on the "happy come home" tour. i've got all her albums since; anybody who tours with her dog is a good person in my book and worthy of support. fortunately, victoria deserves the support with unique yet addictive songs. and i think this album comes in a close second to "loose." "joy of love" is also one of her best songs. victoria -- especially her quavering, backwoods voice -- is an acquired taste. if you like folkie-pop sometimes accompanied by big string arrangements, then "water to drink" is definitely worth checking out. and please note that she never falls into the cliches of other folkie-pop people."
Another Offbeat Gem from Victoria
S Dawg McGraw | Los Angeles CA | 08/18/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This marks Victoria's triumphant return to the positive vibes and uplifiting vision of her 1994 album, "Loose." What ties these quirky, offbeat songs together is Victoria's beaming worldview. There are those who will find her high-pitched, girlish voice annoying, but if you give it a chance it will grow on you. Victoria's music is truly like nothing else out there. My favorite songs on this album are "Grandma's Hat Pin," "Gladys and Lucy," "Junk" and "Claude." The only reason I did not give this CD 5 stars is because I would have preferred to hear more of Victoria's original works in place of the 3 covers."