THE SPECIFICS: DAR WILLIAMS with WILLY PORTER: 8 p.m., Sat., March 9, 2013, Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Av., the West Bank, Minneapolis, MN, 612-338-2674, www.thecedar.org, www.darwilliams.com, $31.
Dar Williams has been writing songs since she was 11. Over the years, her voice has matured into the smoothly sweet sound one hears on her albums and in her concerts. As sweet as it is, her voice doesn't overshadow the maturity of her themes. Her songs offer her insights on adolescence, ageism, religion, misunderstood relationships, loss, humor and geography.
Dar's best albums include "The Honesty Room" (1995), "Mortal City" (1996), "The Beauty of the Rain" (2003) and "Promised Land" (2008). These albums are deeply personal recountings of pivotal events in her life which she expressed in music. She is able to convey her message and emotions without preaching or whining. Much of her catalog is very good, very easy to appreciate but these four albums click on a higher level.
Ms. Williams is from New York but spent a lot of time in and around the Boston area. Her live set was developed in coffeehouses and small venues like the Cedar. She will feel at home there.
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