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Mississippi's Big Joe Williams And His Nine-String Guitar

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Charles Edward Smith writes that there are two blues singers named Joe Williams: "One was with the Basie band and sings in a smooth city style. . .the other is a much older man, who knows every style of voice and guitar out of Mississippi and has used most of them in his work. . .[both] sing the blues. . .and both are friends of Memphis Slim. This album presents the older of the two singers, Joe Lee Williams, whose name got shortened to plain Joe Williams long before the younger man came on the scene. . ." (Folkways Records & Service Corp. Album # FS 3820, 1962). Side One includes "Whistling Pines," "Bluebird Blues," "She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain," and others. Side Two features "T.B.Blues", "King Bisquit Stomp #2," and "Delta Blues," among others. I like corduroy better than satin, so this Big Joe [Lee] Williams suits me. <http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0028Z0IPM/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_title>

Big Joe Williams was one of the early blues players and an excellent singer, guitar player and writer. He wrote some great songs that are still popular --- "Baby, Please Don't Go" and "Who's Been Fooling". Both of them are on this album along with several classic blues and other popular songs. Big Joe experienced a revival in the 1960's and '70's, played with some of the British Rock Groups and played concerts at colleges. He sometimes played electric guitar and this album features both his electric guitar playing as well as his signature accoustic 9-string guitar.