How to write a song that matters

Songwriter Williams (What I Found in a Thousand Towns) explores many facets of her craft in this elegant and practical title, using personal reflections over several decades of touring to support her guidance. Williams recommends seeking inspiration in a host of situations ranging from everyday routines to beauty in nature to assist in choosing lyrics and melodies. She outlines the value of song circles and retreats, presents the nuts and bolts of open mic situations and how to deal with audience responses in a variety of settings, and emphasizes the importance of being honest with oneself as each song is developed. Charming metaphors such as musical chords as housemates (complete with quaint drawings) are sprinkled throughout to good effect. VERDICT In contrast to the many useful guides to song creation that focus dryly on method, Williams's book stands apart for its shimmering, poetic language and forthright engagement of readers, making her treatment of the subject that much more emotionally satisfying. By the end, readers will have gained valuable lessons about both songwriting and life.--Barry Zaslow

A songwriter's guide for those who are more concerned with making meaningful art than with commercial success. As a recording artist, singer/songwriter, author, and leader of songwriting retreats, Williams has established a fruitful career on the periphery of the mainstream. In her latest book, following What I Found in a Thousand Towns, she distills her wisdom and experience to help others who have similar priorities. She also demonstrates how a great song comes about, how a songwriter develops her artistry, and how a song progresses from initial inspiration into something acceptable and possibly even exceptional. Through examples from her own songwriting and workshopping, Williams shows how a song can start from a familiar chord progression of the sound of certain words, even if the words don't hold a specific meaning yet. Then there's a spark of inspiration, for those who are receptive to it, which fuels a creative flame. Williams smoothly describes the process of "listening for cues and clues" to discover the focus of the song, who the narrator is, what a particular combination of verbal sounds and guitar progressions is trying to convey to the songwriter and to potential listeners--and why any of this matters. The author recognizes that there are many hunches and intuitions involved and that experience will help the songwriter learn how much to value the initial inspiration, when to remain true to the voice and when to question it, and how to incorporate feedback from others. Williams also shows how and where songs can make a wrong turn and how to get them back on course. Even those with no musical experience or aspirations will appreciate the author's illumination of the mechanics of songcraft, and she is consistently encouraging. "However you join music with your lyrics," she writes, "please, please, just jump over things in this book that don't relate to your songwriting or that are intimidating in general." Both a practical and inspirational guide with special appeal for budding musicians. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.