Musings of a Creek Dipper
{{Infobox album
| name = Musings of a Creek Dipper
| type = studio
| artist = Victoria Williams
| cover = Musings of a Creek Dipper.jpg
| alt =
| released = 1998
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre =
| length =
| label = Atlantic{{cite web |title=Victoria Williams |url=https://trouserpress.com/reviews/victoria-williams/ |website=Trouser Press |access-date=12 April 2022}}
| producer = Victoria Williams, Trina Shoemaker
| prev_title = This Moment: In Toronto with the Loose Band
| prev_year = 1995
| next_title = Water to Drink
| next_year = 2000
}}
Musings of a Creek Dipper is an album by the American musician Victoria Williams, released in 1998.{{cite magazine |last1=Myers |first1=Ben |title=Musings of a Creek Dipper |magazine=Melody Maker |date=Apr 18, 1998 |volume=75 |issue=16 |page=38}}{{cite book |title=The Rough Guide to Rock |date=1999 |publisher=Rough Guides Ltd |page=1090 |edition=2nd}} The album cover artwork is a photograph of Williams in an Oxnard, California, creek.{{cite news |last1=Drennen |first1=Eileen M. |title=Victoria (No Longer a Secret) |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=11 Jan 1998 |page=L1}} Williams supported the album with a short tour, which included playing the Calgary Folk Music Festival.{{cite news |last1=Harrington |first1=Richard |title=A Heart in Her Song |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=16 Mar 1998 |page=C1}}{{cite news |last1=Mayes |first1=Alison |title=Victoria Williams stays on the sunny side |work=Calgary Herald |date=22 July 1998 |page=E1}}
Production
Musings of a Creek Dipper was produced by Williams and Trina Shoemaker.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5bAwDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA234|title=The Poetics of Rock: Cutting Tracks, Making Records|first=Albin|last=Zak|date=November 20, 2001|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=9780520232242}} Joey Burns and John Convertino played on the album, as did Greg Leisz.{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.furious.com/perfect/victoriawilliams.html|title=Victoria Williams loves you|work=Perfect Sound Forever}}{{cite news |last1=Tayler |first1=Letta |title=A Folk-Seasoned Pop Stew |work=Newsday |date=18 Jan 1998 |page=D27}} Williams employed more horns and strings than on previous albums. She experienced occasional flareups of her multiple sclerosis during the recording sessions.
Many of the album's songs were inspired by living near Joshua Tree, California.{{cite news |last1=Appleford |first1=Steve |title=2 Creekdippers Make Music in Seclusion |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=28 Jan 1998 |page=D1}} Williams's husband, Mark Olson, cowrote some of the songs and also played on the album.{{cite news |last1=Violanti |first1=Anthony |title=Celestial Voices – Victoria Williams and Her Heavenly Sounds |work=The Buffalo News |date=January 16, 1998 |page=G26}} Wendy & Lisa provided much of the musical instrumentation to "Train Song (Demise of the Caboose)".{{cite magazine |last1=Puterbaugh |first1=Parke |title=Victoria Williams's Antic Muse |magazine=Stereo Review |date=Apr 1998 |volume=63 |issue=4 |pages=84–85}} The vocals on "Kashmir's Corn" were recorded with Williams's head positioned in the bell of a sousaphone.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6I1GbZr-SsoC&pg=PA262|title=Behind the Glass: Top Record Producers Tell How They Craft the Hits|first=Howard|last=Massey|date=April 12, 2000|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|isbn=9780879309558}} "Humming Bird" first appeared on The Original Harmony Ridge Creek Dippers.{{cite news |last1=Bream |first1=Jon |title=Disc of the week |work=Star Tribune |date=13 Jan 1998 |page=3E}} Julie Miller sang on "Rainmaker".{{cite news |last1=Guarino |first1=Mark |title=Williams' songs can develop into gems |work=Daily Herald |date=16 Jan 1998 |department=Time Out |page=9}} "Nature Boy" is a cover of the Nat King Cole song.{{cite news |last1=Takiff |first1=Jonathan |title=Tunes from Subtle to Smart |work=Philadelphia Daily News |date=16 Jan 1998 |page=F16}}
Critical reception
{{album ratings
|rev1 = AllMusic
|rev1score = {{rating|3|5}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/musings-of-a-creek-dipper-mw0000071268|title=Musings of a Creek Dipper|website=AllMusic}}
|rev2 = Chicago Tribune
|rev2score = {{rating|2|4}}{{cite news |last1=Caro |first1=Mark |title=Album reviews |work=Chicago Tribune |date=23 Jan 1998 |department=Friday |page=44}}
|rev3 = Robert Christgau
|rev4 = The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
|rev4score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite book |last1=Larkin |first1=Colin |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |date=2006 |publisher=MUZE |volume=8 |page=694}}
|rev5 = Entertainment Weekly
|rev6 = The Hamilton Spectator
|rev6score = {{rating|4|4}}{{cite news |last1=Krewen |first1=Nick |title=Williams at her best in Musings |work=The Hamilton Spectator |date=20 Jan 1998 |page=B6}}
|rev7 = The Indianapolis Star
|rev7score = {{rating|3|4}}{{cite news |last1=Bacon |first1=Scott |title=Victoria Williams 'Musings of a Creek Dipper' |work=The Indianapolis Star |date=25 Jan 1998 |page=I5}}
|rev8 = MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide
|rev8score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite book |title=MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide |date=1999 |publisher=Visible Ink Press |page=1232}}
|rev9 = (The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide
|rev9score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite book |title=(The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide |date=2004 |publisher=Simon & Schuster |page=877}}
|rev10 = Spin
|rev10score = 7/10{{cite magazine |last1=Vowell |first1=Sarah |title=Reviews |magazine=Spin |date=Feb 1998 |volume=14 |issue=2 |page=104}}
}}
Robert Christgau wrote that "there's eccentric and then there's loopy, and this fragile, well-named follow-up is loopy." 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." 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."{{cite news |last1=Simon |first1=Clea |title=Victoria Williams Musings of a Creek Dipper |work=The Boston Globe |date=22 Jan 1998 |department=Calendar |page=21}} The Chicago Tribune opined that "too often Williams sounds like Olive Oyl at a twee party."
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." 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." 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."
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."
Track listing
{{Track listing
| all_writing =
| title1 = Periwinkle Sky
| length1 =
| title2 = Rainmaker
| length2 =
| title3 = Kashmir's Corn
| length3 =
| title4 = Train Song (Demise of the Caboose)
| length4 =
| title5 = Last Word
| length5 =
| title6 = Nature Boy
| length6 =
| title7 = Tree Song (Eucalyptus Lullabye)
| length7 =
| title8 = Let It Be So
| length8 =
| title9 = Allergic Boy
| length9 =
| title10 = Humming Bird
| length10 =
| title11 = Grandpa in the Cornpatch
| length11 =
| title12 = Blackbirds Rise
| length12 =
}}