The Willies

Bill Frisell | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 11, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B0000668K2
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,203 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #28 in Music > Indie Music > Jazz > Jazz Fusion
  • #85 in Music > Indie Music > Jazz > Modern Post Bop

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blues Dog, Happy Man, July 9, 2002

By 

PatrickB (Richmond, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Willies (Audio CD)

Frisell continues to explore American music with this excellent CD. I hear sort of a fusion of Blues Dream with Good Dog, Happy Man, minus percussion. I was somewhat apprehensive about the lack of drums. Jim Keltner's work on Good Dog is so nice, meshing with Frisell's style. Yes, it's laid back. But it's real good.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bluegrass Tinged Frisell, June 11, 2002

By 

Earl D. Brogan "EDB" (Lake Linden, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Willies (Audio CD)

With Frisell on electric and acoustic guitars and in charge of looping, Danny Barnes sitting in on guitars, banjo, bass harmonica, and pump organ, and Keith Lowe anchoring the bass parts The Willies covers a range of bluegrass tinged jazz. This isn't new grass or Bela Fleck Acoustic Planet territory--the neighborhood here is more firmly jazz or Frisell's own--so don't expect hoe downs or classic break downs. What you do get is excellent explorations of tunes including traditional classics(Blackberry Blossom, Sitting on Top of the World), tasty instrumental covers (Goodnight Irene), and Frisell originals.

I think they sound like they're having fun, and the listening is very enjoyable. Good stuff.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bill Frisell Does It Once Again!!!!!!, August 28, 2004

By 

J. Rich - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Willies (Audio CD)

Bill Frisell is a musical chameleon. Every album he makes seems to be so different than the last. "The Willies" is a wonderful album full of soulful guitar, bass, and banjo. I, personally, have 11 of Bill's albums, and this one is currently getting the heaviest rotation in the cd player. What I love about this album is not only the fact that it's bluegrass with dark overtones, but it's got a really amazing feel to it. It's a very cohesive album. In my opinion, there isn't a bad song on this album. I really love "Everybody Loves Everybody." That song alone is worth the price of the album. Some of my other favorites are "Blackberry Blossom," "Get Along," "Sittin' on Top of the World," and "John Hardy Was A Desperate Little Man." But as I said, the whole album is very good. The thing that attracts me to Bill Frisell's music is it's subtlety and dark, textural beauty. This is an album that a fan of jazz, bluegrass, or rock would enjoy. Yeah, there's nothing that gets your feet or body going, but so what! This album is strictly for open-minded music lovers. If you are a patient person then this album will be very rewarding, but if you think everything has to get your feet going, then you shouldn't even bother with this album or any other Frisell album for that matter. Another thing I want to point out is that Bill Frisell is not a shredder. He's more into the textural side of guitar playing like David Torn, Andy Summers, Steve Tibbets, and King Crimson's Robert Fripp. All of these guitar players have the technical ability, but they don't feel the need to show that side of their playing too often. This album should appeal to those already familiar with Bill's work or any person who has an ear for intricately arranged music.