So much songwriting, particularly in the folk realm, is about personality and presence, undoubtedly because the only thing between you and the performer is an acoustic guitar. Dar Williams possesses an artless charm that's suffused with warm intelligence. She seems liable to invite you into her kitchen, offer you fresh-baked cookies and beguile you with a story from her innocent tomboy youth. Williams' secret weapon is a stirring eclecticism that—sadly because of touring financial exigencies—is generally limited to her albums. With Sara Watkins. —Chris Parker