Customer Reviews

Together/Have a Good Time

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A couple of things. I really can't believe I'm the first person to review this cd, and, second, I don't know if I can find the words to fully do it justice.

This is Joe Williams. That alone speaks volumes. If you know the man, you know what I mean. He can cut through you and touch on what it means to suffer depression, experience joy, longing, happiness, sorrow, and generally know that whatever it is you're going through, be it at 1 pm or 4 am, buddy, you ain't in it alone.

Next, this is Harry "Sweets" Edison. I don't think he needs any introduction. You dig up him, you know what I'm talking about. Look up his score with Lester Young, Teddy Wilson, Jazz Giants of 56, even Coleman Hawkins. You know the company he keeps, you know his style, so you know what beauty to expect. If you don't, prepare to be blown away and mesmerized.

This cd features them combined in the small combo (quartet-quintet) setting, very smooth, very flowing, very solid. No brash, brassy, big-band stuff here. No stringy, hi-fi stuff either. Very jazzy, very beautiful. It starts off very happy, very jovial. Turns a little melancholy, but all in all, not the deep dark depressive Joe Williams that he can sometimes be known for. This is a much happier version.

This is a fantastic disc. I can't say that enough. DO NOT hesitate to get this while you can. You will not regret it. One of my all time favorites.

For the uninitiated, Joe Williams can be a revelation. His tone, his phrasing, his rich baritone voice and a style that is comfortable with blues, ballads, or scat jazz, led to his being voted best singer of the year several times in the 60s, 70s, and 80s by jazz and blues critics. This collaboration with Harry "Sweets" Edison is fun, melodic, and interesting - and like ALL of Joe's work, it swings. This ranks up their with his best work with the Count Basie Orchestra (check out "The Greatest" to hear Joe's swinging version of "Singing in the Rain") and Dinah Washington (for a very different take on "Together"). This wouldn't be the first Joe Williams CD I'd suggest you buy (that would be The Greatest or Swinging Night at Birdland), but this is among the top five.

What an excellent combination is this! In this record we see why Count Basie took Joe Williams as his singer of preference. Joe is a TOTAL PROFESSIONAL. The mating of Joe's vocals with Harry's elegant trumpetsong is a winner. This is a full hour of playful, wonderful and warm JAZZ. You'll want this one.