Dar Williams - As Cool As I Am

Things often happen in threes - as I recall within the same month of June 1996, I saw the video of "As Cool As I Am" on Country Music TV, bought the "Mortal City" album and saw singer- songwriter Dar Williams perform at the intimate Telford's Warehouse in Chester (not many US musicians play Chester). I was infatuated, her lyrics droll and original and  the modern acoustic guitar folk style appealing.

"Mortal City" was actually her second major label release, branching out with more complex arrangements and ambitious songs like the seven minute title track. The breezy "As Cool As I Am", the opener, sets a defiant tone, and probably still her most famous song today.  Existing as the polar opposite of yesterday's "I Want You" by Costello, she rejects any jealousy or competitiveness.

Straight from the start, its sounds so fresh and enticing, fast paced with the striking and unusual heartbeat of the didgeridoo (we don't have enough didgeridoo in modern music).  The pace never relents, and Williams' strong voice is harmoniously backed by the Nields.

Her partner is possessive ("Like you own them just because you bought the time"), arrogant, and too flirty.  He frequently attempts to undermine and shake her self-confidence ("You tried to make me doubt, to make me guess, tried to make me feel like a little less").

But Dar is stronger, she has already moved on from her insecure and competitive past, now free so enjoy her life, as warns "I will not be afraid of women".  Finally, tired of his games, she departs, replying to his claim "that woman has a halo" with the mocking  "Yeah, she's really blond". A lengthy and intricate set of lyrics, providing a vignette of modern relationships.

Williams went on to record a further seven studio albums, maintaining her high level of songwriting, and excellent in concert (with two more shows in Chester).

In 2012 Dar Williams revisited many of her old songs for an acoustic album "Many Great Companions", including "As Cool As I Am" with Gary Louris (from the Jayhawks). She also released an accompanying video highlighting strong women -  an admirable version, and very worthy cause, but I missed the didgeridoo.

 

Hear Now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hEmtrgEjAM

Hear Next -  "Honesty Room" and  "Mortal City" are the two essential albums, but I would also highly recommend the "Cry Cry Cry" album recorded with Lucy Kaplansky and Richard Shindell.