Musings of a Creek Dipper

Musings of a Creek Dipper
Studio album by Victoria Williams
Released	1998
Label	Atlantic[1]
Producer	Victoria Williams, Trina Shoemaker
Victoria Williams chronology
This Moment: In Toronto with the Loose Band (1995) Musings of a Creek Dipper (1998) Water to Drink (2000)

Musings of a Creek Dipper is an album by the American musician Victoria Williams, released in 1998.[2][3] The album cover artwork is a photograph of Williams in an Oxnard, California, creek.[4] Williams supported the album with a short tour, which included playing the Calgary Folk Music Festival.[5][6]

Production

Musings of a Creek Dipper was produced by Williams and Trina Shoemaker.[7][8] Joey Burns and John Convertino played on the album, as did Greg Leisz.[9][10] Williams employed more horns and strings than on previous albums.[11] She experienced occasional flareups of her multiple sclerosis during the recording sessions.[12]

Many of the album's songs were inspired by living near Joshua Tree, California.[13] Williams's husband, Mark Olson, cowrote some of the songs and also played on the album.[14] Wendy & Lisa provided much of the musical instrumentation to "Train Song (Demise of the Caboose)".[15] The vocals on "Kashmir's Corn" were recorded with Williams's head positioned in the bell of a sousaphone.[16] "Humming Bird" first appeared on The Original Harmony Ridge Creek Dippers.[17] Julie Miller sang on "Rainmaker".[18] "Nature Boy" is a cover of the Nat King Cole song.[19]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[20]
Chicago Tribune	[21]
Robert Christgau	A−[22]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[23]
Entertainment Weekly	A−[24]
The Hamilton Spectator	[25]
The Indianapolis Star	[12]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide	[7]
(The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide	[11]
Spin	7/10[26]

Robert Christgau wrote that "there's eccentric and then there's loopy, and this fragile, well-named follow-up is loopy."[22] Trouser Press thought that "the album's relaxed pace rests the singer comfortably in her own jazz-folk niche, and she has never sounded more at home."[1] The Boston Globe stated: "High and quavery as a child at points, her Melanie-like voice makes even her most sophisticated songs sound as simple as a sing-along."[27] The Chicago Tribune opined that "too often Williams sounds like Olive Oyl at a twee party."[21]

Entertainment Weekly determined that "what's truly remarkable about these songs is how they manage to radiate a sense of wonder without sounding cloyingly precious."[24] Spin concluded that Williams "is unapologetic about her lazy pace and sappy disposition, spinning take-it-or-leave-it tales of cozy cabins and pretty clouds."[26] The Hamilton Spectator noted that, "by providing an atmosphere conducive to Williams' charms, Shoemaker ... has produced a bewitching, gratifying record that finally capitalizes on the singer's unique gifts."[25]

AllMusic wrote that Williams "expands her musical skills on Musings of a Creekdipper, finding an original, eclectically rural sound that enhances the off-center originality of her songs."[20]

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Periwinkle Sky"
2.	"Rainmaker"
3.	"Kashmir's Corn"
4.	"Train Song (Demise of the Caboose)"
5.	"Last Word"
6.	"Nature Boy"
7.	"Tree Song (Eucalyptus Lullabye)"
8.	"Let It Be So"
9.	"Allergic Boy"
10.	"Humming Bird"
11.	"Grandpa in the Cornpatch"
12.	"Blackbirds Rise"

References

1. "Victoria Williams". Trouser Press. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
2. Myers, Ben (Apr 18, 1998). "Musings of a Creek Dipper". Melody Maker. Vol. 75, no. 16. p. 38.
3. The Rough Guide to Rock (2nd ed.). Rough Guides Ltd. 1999. p. 1090.
4. Drennen, Eileen M. (11 Jan 1998). "Victoria (No Longer a Secret)". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. L1.
5. Harrington, Richard (16 Mar 1998). "A Heart in Her Song". The Washington Post. p. C1.
6. Mayes, Alison (22 July 1998). "Victoria Williams stays on the sunny side". Calgary Herald. p. E1.
7. MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 1232.
8. Zak, Albin (November 20, 2001). The Poetics of Rock: Cutting Tracks, Making Records. University of California Press. ISBN 9780520232242.
9. "Victoria Williams loves you". Perfect Sound Forever.
10. Tayler, Letta (18 Jan 1998). "A Folk-Seasoned Pop Stew". Newsday. p. D27.
11. (The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon & Schuster. 2004. p. 877.
12. Bacon, Scott (25 Jan 1998). "Victoria Williams 'Musings of a Creek Dipper'". The Indianapolis Star. p. I5.
13. Appleford, Steve (28 Jan 1998). "2 Creekdippers Make Music in Seclusion". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. D1.
14. Violanti, Anthony (January 16, 1998). "Celestial Voices – Victoria Williams and Her Heavenly Sounds". The Buffalo News. p. G26.
15. Puterbaugh, Parke (Apr 1998). "Victoria Williams's Antic Muse". Stereo Review. Vol. 63, no. 4. pp. 84–85.
16. Massey, Howard (April 12, 2000). Behind the Glass: Top Record Producers Tell How They Craft the Hits. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9780879309558.
17. Bream, Jon (13 Jan 1998). "Disc of the week". Star Tribune. p. 3E.
18. Guarino, Mark (16 Jan 1998). "Williams' songs can develop into gems". Time Out. Daily Herald. p. 9.
19. Takiff, Jonathan (16 Jan 1998). "Tunes from Subtle to Smart". Philadelphia Daily News. p. F16.
20. "Musings of a Creek Dipper". AllMusic.
21. Caro, Mark (23 Jan 1998). "Album reviews". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 44.
22. "Victoria Williams". Robert Christgau.
23. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 8. MUZE. p. 694.
24. "Musings of a Creekdipper". Entertainment Weekly.
25. Krewen, Nick (20 Jan 1998). "Williams at her best in Musings". The Hamilton Spectator. p. B6.
26. Vowell, Sarah (Feb 1998). "Reviews". Spin. Vol. 14, no. 2. p. 104.
27. Simon, Clea (22 Jan 1998). "Victoria Williams Musings of a Creek Dipper". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 21.