Search - Joe Williams :: I Just Want To Sing

Sing, Brother Joe, sing!

Steven H. Hulme | Boise, ID USA | 04/18/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The late, great Joe Williams shows a range of styles in this recording. From the whimsical and tongue in cheek ("It Ain't Easy Being White" and Duke Ellington's "Fat and Forty") to flowing ballads ("After You've Gone," "Young and Foolish") he displays his marvelous pipes and demonstrates that he does indeed just want to sing. On this outing he is accompanied by a small combo of tuned-in session musicians, who do a masterful job. The recording quality is outstanding - extremely intimate. You'll feel like you're right there in the same room with Joe and his friends. Williams left a great legacy of recordings over his many, many years. This one was near the end of his long and distinguished career, and his savvy and technique shine."

Master voice with master musicians!

Carlos from Rio | Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil | 02/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
This is simply master singer Joe Williams with a fire swing and slow ballads repertoire under a swinger session with Thad Jones on trumpet, Bennie Golson and Eddie Lockjaw Davis on sax and a rhythm section leaded by Norman Simmons. Simply great!



All great arrangements by the great and underrated Johnny Pate.



Program opens with the Count Basie hit, composition by guitarrist Freddie Green 'Corner Pocket' which gained lyrics and the new title 'Until I Met You'. Other swingers in the program include the Maria Grever's 'bolero' 'What A Difference A Day Makes' and Jerome Kern's 'All The Things You Are', both in 4/4 uptempo arrangements. Pure fire!



Second track is an inspired slow Bossa Nova arrangement for the standard 'After You've Gone' with Thad Jones on trumpet. A killer!



Sound quality is also a feature for this label Delos CD."