Happy Come Home

by

Victoria Williams

Edit

I first read about Victoria in the LA Times, in an article about how she got her recording contract, etc., etc. A year later my mother-in-law bought me the album and it became one of my favorites. Williams has a voice that takes a little getting used to (kind of a Yoko Ono/Shirley Temple hybrid), but it grows on you, and I ended up listening to the album non-stop.

Much has been written about Victoria's battle with multiple sclerosis, which has gotten her a lot of press, but which I think unfortunately deflects attention from her artistry. The quality of the writing and playing is awesome - deceptively simple - and listening is like entering a parallel, more colorful and childlike, world. I highly recommend this record.

This is the only Victoria Williams CD I have. The initial listening can be somewhat disarming. Ms. Williams has a distinctive warble and delivery that is both sincere and truly unique. Her sweet, goofy, insightful lyrics are especially unassuming and fresh in a deceptively simple, child-like way: the songs are innocent, but not naive. She's backed by a great band, showcased on "Statue of a Bum." Some find her lyrics almost embarrassing, and I can understand how people might find her voice irritating, but I think most of this CD is a real charmer.