Cry Cry Cry

It is ironic that three outstanding individual American folk singer-songwriters would come together as a band to cover other musicians' work -- many less well known than Dar Williams, Lucy Kaplansky and Richard Shindell. Upon hearing the beautiful harmonies, particularly by the two female members, one appreciates that covering other work is an art itself.

Though most of the music on the group's self-titled "Cry Cry Cry" CD is written by fellow Americans they admire, there is an outstanding version of Canadian James Keelaghan's "Cold Missouri Waters."

Though unfortunately not on the "Cry Cry Cry" CD, Dar Williams sings a great version of Fred Eaglesmith's "Wilder than Her" -- which Eaglesmith jokingly refers to as "the lesbian version" since Williams doesn't change the gender in the lyrics. Lynn Miles, who sings back-up to Eaglesmith on the original recording, joined Williams to sing back-up on this song at the Ottawa Folk Festival.

Williams' own material is heartfelt, moody and personal with often brilliant lyrics.