While encompassing most of her best-known work, including signature songs "The Babysitter's Here" and "The Christians And The Pagans," this is not a mere collection of greatest hits. Instead, Out There Live is a revisualization of material, given new life by Williams and her ace band. It was the band, in fact, that inspired Williams to record and release the performances, thinking it could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The band members have impressive histories (bassist Gail Ann Dorsey played with Bowie, drummer Steve Holly played with McCartney). But, while the band earns their frontwoman's praise, the listener comes away confident that Williams will have plenty more luminous shows and tours to come.
The shows pull material from all four of Williams's studio albums (The Honesty Room, Mortal City, End of the Summer, and The Green World). For this reviewer, the most pleasant surprise is the beautiful, bittersweet "If I Wrote You" (originally found on the third album). Williams sounds completely at ease on stage at all times; she's so at home that it's hard to imagine her doing anything else. It's also hard to believe that the first of those albums came almost a decade ago.
Part of Dar's in-person charm are the stories that she peppers through her performance as lead-ins to her songs. Several of those are captured on Out There Live, both poignant and humorous accounts of the people and events that inspired tracks like "I Won't Be Your Yoko Ono" and "Are You Out There," her ode to the wonders of free speech radio.
It isn't remarkable that Williams has made the crossover from indie-folk obscurity to mainstream-pop success. Others have gone before, others will go again. But few can boast the consistently strong material that is showcased here. And few songwriters rival Williams in her ability to pen thoughtful, intelligent lyrics without taking herself too seriously.
Out There Live is a must-have for Dar-philes and also an excellent (and cheap) starting point for those looking for a primer. Everything is on full display here-the twinkling sense of humor, the wistful reminiscences, the occasional vulnerability-and the band deftly matches her every move.
Out There Live is available at fine record stores everywhere. For more information, check out http://www.razorandtie.com or http://www.darwilliams.com
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