And So It Goes

by Don Williams

Overview

Returning from an extended semi-retirement that began after the 2004 release of My Heart to You -- a record that appeared on the little-known Compendia imprint -- Don Williams released the rather brilliant And So It Goes in 2012, an album so understated that it may be easy to overlook its excellence. Then again, if Williams has a signature, it's a touch so easy that it sometimes appears that he isn't there at all; he's never performing, he's inhabiting his songs. As the years rolled on and the tempos got slower and the productions softer, he could sometimes disappear into his surroundings, but And So It Goes achieves a nimble balance between comfort and virtuosity, an album where Williams feels entirely relaxed but never lazy. Supported by longtime producer Garth Fundis, Williams keeps things soothing -- nothing seems hurried or urgent, everything unspools at its own unhurried pace -- but nothing's too easy; there are love songs to be sure, but Williams also tackles bigger issues, pondering the meaning of "Infinity" and wondering "What If It Worked Like That." This balance of subtle spirituality and life experience has considerable resonance, particularly because it takes a little digging to get to the bigger issues. And So It Goes can be enjoyed as mere aural comfort food -- it's as welcoming as a warm bath -- but what gives it impact is its underlying, sometimes hidden, meanings. This may or may not be Williams' final album but if it is, it serves as a superb coda to a career that always found deep meaning in ease; it seems like anybody could do this, but if they could, somebody would have done it as well as Don Williams has by this point. Not only that, but Williams has not always done it as well as he does here. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	06/19/2012
Label:	Sugar Hill
UPC:	0015891408125

Tracks

1. Better Than Today
2. Heart of Hearts
3. She's with Me
4. I Just Come Here for the Music
5. Infinity
6. What If It Worked Like That
7. She's a Natural
8. Imagine That
9. First Fool in Line
10. And So It Goes

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Don Williams   Primary Artist
Keith Urban   Vocal Harmony,Guitar (Electric)
Kenny Malone   Percussion
Chip Davis   Vocals (Background)
David Davidson   Violin
Garth Fundis   Vocals (Background)
J.T. Corenflos   Guitar (Electric)
Russ Pahl   Banjo,Dobro,Mandolin,Guitar (Steel)
Vince Gill   Soloist,Vocal Harmony,Guitar (Electric)
Tyson Rogers   Organ,Piano,Accordion,Piano (Electric)
Kris Wilkinson   Viola
John Gardner   Drums,Percussion
Mike Noble   Guitar (Acoustic)
David Angell   Violin
Matt McKenzie   Bass (Upright),Bass (Electric)
Al Anderson   Guitar (Electric)
Jenee Fleenor   Fiddle
Sam Bacco   Marimba
Anthony LaMarchina   Cello
Alison Krauss   Fiddle,Vocals,Featured Artist
Tim Williams   Vocals (Background)
Pam Sixfin   Violin
Chris Stapleton   Vocal Harmony
Billy Davis   Vocals (Background)
Billy Sanford   Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Gut String Guitar

Technical Credits

Sharon Vaughn   Composer
Stephen Bruton   Composer
Kieran Kane   Composer
Jamie O'Hara   Composer
Garth Fundis   Mixing,Producer
Doug Gill   Composer
Don Williams   Mixing,Composer,Producer
Jason Sellers   Composer
Kris Wilkinson   String Arrangements
Ronnie Bowman   Composer
Mike Noble   Composer
Rick Bowles   Composer
Anthony Smith   Composer
Al Anderson   Composer
Byron Hill   Composer
Gary Paczosa   Engineer,Assistant
Leslie Satcher   Composer
Rob Crosby   Composer
Robert Hadley   Mastering
Jeff Stevens   Composer
Tim Williams   Composer
David McClister   Photography
Lynn Hutton   Composer
Gordon Hammond   Mixing,Engineer
Robert Pratt   Management
Brandon Bell   Engineer,Assistant
Carrie Smith   Design
Bobby Taylor   Composer
John Ramey   Composer
Matt Rausch   Engineer,Assistant
Tammi Kidd   Composer
Paul Bowman   Engineer,Assistant
Billy Sanford   Tic Tac