Cris Williamson
Seattle, Washington, United States | INDIE | AFM
Music
Press
Cris Williamson is a folksinger is the truest sense of the word. She's political, an environmentalist, and a huge proponent for peace and for gay and women's rights, all of which are reflected in her music. She empowers others by teaching songwriting workshops, and she's navigated her 40-plus years as an independent musician with such strength and grace that Bonnie Raitt recently named Williamson one of her personal heroes.
--- Mare Wakefield 2006 - Performing Songwriter
Discography
Cris's latest release, Fringe, is getting airplay on the Folk and Americana programs of the Community and College stations throughout the U.S. and Canada. It has appeared on the Top Albums lists of the FolkDJ List and the Roots Music List.
Fringe - Wolf Moon Records 2007
Essential Cris Williamson - Wolf Moon Records 2005
Changer: 30th Anniversary - Wolf Moon Records 2005
Real Deal - Wolf Moon Records 2005
Cris & Holly - H&C Records 2003 - with Holly Near
RePlay - Wolf Moon Records 2002
Ashes - Wolf Moon Records, 2001
Radio Quiet - Wolf Moon/GRD 1998 - with Tret Fure
Between the Covers - Wolf Moon/GRD 1997 - with Tret Fure
Postcards from Paradise - Olivia Records, 1993 - with Tret Fure
Circle of Friends - Olivia Records, 1991
The Best of Cris Williamson - Olivia Records, 1990
Country Blessed - Olivia Records 1989 - with Teresa Trull
Wolf Moon - Olivia Records, 1987
Snow Angel - Olivia Records, 1985
Prairie Fire - Olivia Records, 1984
Portrait - Olivia Records, 1983
Meg & Cris at Carnegie Hall - Olivia Records, 1983 - with Meg Christian
Blue Rider - Olivia Records, 1982
Lumiere - Pacific Cascades, 1982 - Winner, Parent's Choice Award
Live Dream - Olivia Records/The Dream Machine, 1978
Strange Paradise - Olivia Records, 1978
The Changer and the Changed - Olivia Records, 1975
Cris Williamson, EP - Kickback, 1972
Cris Williamson - Ampex 1971
The World Around Cris Williamson - 1965
Photos
Bio
"The first time I heard Cris' music, it was like hearing honey dripped on a cello... Cris has been a whole lot of women's heroes -- including mine. - Bonnie Raitt
Decades before indie labels were the norm, and years before women had any real access to the industry, Cris Williamson was busy changing the face of popular music. In 1975, the twenty-something former schoolteacher recorded The Changer And The Changed, for her brainchild, Olivia Records. the first woman-owned woman-focused record company. Her music and voice quickly became the soundtrack of a movement, and was the cornerstone of what would become known as womens music, music created, performed, and marketed specifically to women. Today, that recording, The Changer and the Changed, remains one of the best-selling independent releases of all time.
For Cris, the music became the vehicle for something larger. Her lyrics appear on a regular basis in books and thesis papers. Her albums are part of the curriculum for women's studies courses, and thousands of people who may not even know her name join their voices in "Song of the Soul" around campfires and places of worship. She is embraced by women. She is sampled in hip-hop Her music is used by midwives welcoming life into the world, while hospice choirs sing her songs in tender sacred escort. "She is often considered a treasure, passed hand-to-hand, person-to-person," says the Boston Phoenix, "Williamson is an heroic character whose tireless activism continues."
Today, with 30 full albums to her credit, Cris continues to tour the acoustic circuit adding new material at each juncture. Her performance career includes three sold-out shows at Carnegie Hall and the headlining of many of the great folk festivals, including Newport, Kerrville, Moab and Vancouver. The songs and the celebration continue with the release of her 31st, her brand new 2-CD set, Pray Tell: Songs of the Soul: 24 original songs released in mid 2013.
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