Victoria Williams Sings Some Ol' Songs (Dualtone)

Victoria Williams

By Kory Wilcoxson

Victoria Williams' voice is an acquired taste, and to be honest, I haven't acquired it yet. And that, my friends, is the determining factor about the worth of this album. If you're a fan, this album should be more of the same that you've come to love. If you don't like her, this will do nothing to change that.

What Williams has done is round up a collection of old standards ("Moon River," "As Time Goes By") and some more obscure songs ("Mongoose," "And Roses and Rose") and given them her own unique treatment. For the most part, it doesn't work. Although Williams has excellent taste in music, she doesn't pick songs that match her little-girl drawl. Judy Garland's version of "Over the Rainbow" is so ingrained in the collective consciousness that any rendition of it, especially one as quirky as Williams', will sound flat. Williams does better with "Someone to Watch Over Me," which lends itself more to Williams' delivery.

For Williams' fans, "Ol' Songs" will be a nostalgic trip back in time with Williams as the tour guide. For the rest of us, there's nothing new here.