Sings Some Ol' Songs : Victoria Williams : Review : Rolling Stone

Victoria Williams could always pull off feats of folksiness that would seem contrived and ridiculous coming from any other performer. The Louisiana-born, California-based songwriter possesses a naturally off-kilter mojo that is utterly charming. For this reason, she is much better when marching to the beat of her own material than she is on this set of pop standards. In fact, when she struggles with the choruses of "Over the Rainbow" and "My Funny Valentine," it sounds like a recording of a sixth-grade talent show. Sings . . . is not devoid of her trademark moments of divine whimsy, however. Oscar Levant's "Keep Sweeping Cobwebs Off the Moon" is a delightful Dixieland romp, not only thanks to Jon Birdsong's brass and Danny Frankel's percussion, but also because Williams' warble works so well in that setting. Like all outsider artists, her delivery is completely sincere, and while that doesn't make it any easier on the ears, it does make it worth a listen.

MEREDITH OCHS
(August 6, 2002)