Music / Review
Review: Kathryn Williams and Withered Hand, Folk House – ‘Jigsaw-puzzle perfect harmonies’
There’s something lovely about watching friends singing, swapping stories, and having fun.
At one stage this evening, prolific singer-songwriter Kathryn Williams dissolves into a fit of giggles and Dan Willson (aka Withered Hand) looks on with mock bemusement.
They’ve just been telling a story about their friendship, singing harmonies that are jigsaw-puzzle perfect, and casting great warming beams across Bristol. In that moment, there’s loveliness.
is needed now More than ever
The album that these two friends are promoting, Willson Williams, is one of the finest records of 2024 so far. It has an inner glow, it’s fuzzy and hazy: a little bit folk-pop, a little bit power-pop, and it is gorgeous. To the surprise of absolutely no one, this evening was much the same.
Before playing the album in its entirety we are treated to short solo sets by the two of them. Williams opts for a couple of brand-new ones from a future album. Both Thoughts and Sea of Shadows are smart and literate with a heart as big as buildings. Her voice is as lovely as ever.
Willson ranges across his back catalogue. No Cigarettes, taken from his 2009 album Good News, is a masterclass in songwriting, an REM-referencing piece of introspective genius. New song The Hours points to yet more wordy brilliance.
The solo sets are wonderful, but it’s when the two of them get together that glorious things happen.
Shelf is the sort of song that you want to put on a compilation CD (or a Spotify playlist, I suppose) for your nearest and dearest. It’s vulnerable and honest, basking in its sense of failure, but with a golden pop sheen. As so often this evening, Williams and Willson sing alternate verses, then harmonise on the chorus. These are voices that were made to be together.
There’s something a little bit late 90s alt-country about much of this evening’s songs, something that conjures the very best of that genre. Willson reminds you of Neal Casal or (the sadly forgotten) Chris Mills; the harmonies carry a bit of Golden Smog. They’re twinkly and clever, warming bits of your heart you’d forgotten all about.
Grace is a little blurry, Williams sleepily husky as she swims up through dream-layers to grab hold of Willson’s shimmering guitar lines. Our Best has a slight country twang and those affectionate harmonies while R U 4 Real is a sliver of skewed romance. All three are playful, uplifting, and restorative.
There are just eleven songs on Willson Williams and the encore tune was never in any doubt. Cat Stevens’ Sing Out is delivered with unabashed joy, two friends having a fantastic time, singing a song that they clearly love and ending the night with a huge smile and an open heart.
Both Williams and Willson are incredible solo artists; together they are magical.
All photos: Gavin McNamara
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