Customer Reviews

The Definitive Joe Williams

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I saw Joe Williams live several times. This big handsome urbane man was witty, charmingly funny in a kinda sensual rap manner, and man, could he sing. Starting out in Chicago singing for free between movies as an usher in the Chicago Theatre, Joe came up in big band swing, working with clarinet great Jimmy Noone, Andy Kirk and his Clouds of Joy , Lionel Hampton, Red Saunders and then in 1955 he hit big with the most exciting sound in the world-Count Basie's Orchestra. Big, tall, hands at his side he sang the blues in a jazzy way, sang jazz in a bluesy way, and had a way with ballads the was just magnificent. Mostly cuts from Joe's Basie days this is a swell album. Joe was a master performer and he performed literally until the day he died. The great voice was only stilled when Joe-80! left his hospital bed [NOT CHECKED OUT! just left], walked two miles home and died on his front steps. What a man and what a great soulful,bluesy,jazzy artist.
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How quickly we forgot what a wondrous vocalist Joe Williams was, especially in his prime years. There is no one singing today who matches his vocal control, his range, his remarkable skill in improvisation and the sheer power of his voice. From blues to jazz to ballads, his amazing repertoire put him in the same class as Tony Bennett and Sinatra; unfortunately, Joe never really got his due and was often dismissed as a band singer. Luckily we have his wonderful records as testimony to his artistry, especially Every Day I Sing the Blues. The Definitive Joe Williams proves they just don't make 'em like Joe anymore!

I had the distinct privilege of meeting "Papa" Joe Williams after his last concert in Dallas,TX in Jan. 1999 @ the fabulous Majestic Theater and I still carry the ticket stub in my wallet and will always cherish the program he signed for me after asking me "What's going on Hoss?" It was on that evening that I realized after long pondering that I had to dedicate my life to preserve this great American artform we affectionately refer to as Jazz!! He has been an inspiration to every Male Jazz Vocalist.

Joe Williams is probably the best male Jazz vocalist to have performed. I mean, who could compete with him? Sinatra? Bennett? Jones? They're good singers, but they don't have Williams' resonant voice, charisma, clear tone, passionate delivery, or ability to make a song really come alive.

Joe Williams sang almost all his life. Looking at the entry for him in the Grove Dictionary of Music, there was harly a time he wasn't singing. He started out with a local gospel quartet, and eventually attracted the attention of Count Basie. The rest, as they say, is history. For more information on his life, see the link in my comment.

I love this man's voice, and you will too. "Every Day I Have the Blues," and "All right, OK, You Win" are classics. If you listen to this album, you won't have the blues!

I worhship you--the title of your review said it all.

Joe Williams is the best in his genre. Very unique, very powerful. This CD is heavy with swing, a few ballads. I bought this CD by accident, I thought I was buying Joe Turner or something, anyway it's made me very happy.