Holly Williams

The Highway (Georgiana)

ACL Music Fest 2013 Friday Reviews

Holly Williams

The Highway (Georgiana)

The daughter of Hank Williams Jr., and thus the granddaughter of Hank Sr., Holly Williams lives in the shadow of a powerful legacy. Never shying away from that fact, the Nashville singer makes music to fit her own existence, and her third LP The Highway contains some of Williams' most potent songwriting. Using mostly acoustic settings, producer Charlie Peacock (the Civil Wars) gives her songs an airy feeling that she's never had before, allowing stories of simpler times to speak with stronger conviction. Special guests make the proceedings more attractive, with Jackson Browne fitting in perfectly on the amber tones of "Gone Away From Me" and Jakob Dylan joining in on the urgent "Without You." Gwyneth Paltrow and Dierks Bentley make appearances as well. One thing's for certain: Here stretches Williams' Highway and you're more than welcome to come along for the ride. (2:30pm, BMI stage)

***.5

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Holly Williams, ACL Fest 2013

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