Little Lion

Brooks Williams

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 25, 2000)
• Original Release Date: January 25, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Signature Sounds
• ASIN: B00003OP2K
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #114,589 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Williams's eighth record presents 13 warm acoustic-guitar instrumentals that reveal a slew of musical influences while never straying from the guitarist's understated style. Williams finds inspiration in songs from an array of artists, including Beethoven, Brazilian pop star Caetano Veloso, American bluesman Jorma Kaukonen, Brazilian accordionist and archivist Luiz Gonzaga, and reggae great Toots Hibbert, whose "54-46 (Was My Number)" is a highlight here. His original compositions draw from the wells of Delta blues, English folk, and even West African kora. Those who seek fire and grit may find Williams's playing a bit tepid, but fans of quiet, intimate, unobtrusive guitar will appreciate Little Lion for its grace and Williams for his unerring technique and taste. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brooks Williams at his best, January 28, 2000

By A Customer

Brooks Williams is one of the finest singer-songwriters around. What is often overlooked, however, is his incredible skill with the guitar. He is a gifted finger-style guitarist. He is also an excellent writer/arranger of instrumental guitar music. Several of the songs on this album are familiar to those who know Brooks Williams' music. Several are new. All the cuts are good. He moves gracefully from up-tempo, African and Brazilian rythms to the more contemplative style of "Wondorous Love", an old American spiritual. The latter song is particularly moving. It captures what is best about Williams' playing, the spirit behind his music. You can teach technique, but what makes a performer an artist is heart and spirit. Clearly Williams' has both, and this album exemplifies that.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clean, intimate acoustic guitar, December 19, 2003

By	Xaprb "xaprb" (Charlottesville, VA USA) - See all my reviews

Brooks is a master. I've been listening to him ever since the old, old days when I had a radio show and the record company sent me a copy of "Knife Edge." My brother and I, both guitarists, have loved him ever since. We've gone to see him in concert a handful of times, which is why I can say that this album is quite like a private evening with Brooks at the fireside (although the closest I've gotten to that is a nice dinner after one of his shows).

Brooks plays many of the songs in this CD at his shows, and this CD is pretty close to those performances. Sometimes the guitars are multitracked but mostly you just notice his understated guitar wizardry. Make no mistake, the man can play guitar, but he knows there's no point in trying to impress you with stupid fast riffs. When he plays fast notes, you almost always notice it after the fact.

Sonically, it's a real treat. Please, if you haven't got a good pair of headphones, try to listen to it through some. It's very intimate through a good set of cans; you're placed about 6 or 8 feet in front of the guitar (though the mike was almost certainly closer). The production is pretty sparse, though it sounds like it was recorded in a nice room.

The CD is an engaging collection of songs that I'm sure you will enjoy. I won't bother comparing Brooks with other artists, because I feel he's pretty unique. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Relaxing Guitar Music - With Feeling, December 20, 2001

By A Customer

Not new age drivel, not mindless musak, this is decent acoustic guitar work, melodic, with feeling and perspective. It is also well produced, and is fine as both background or foreground sound. I picked it up to learn a song for my nephew's wedding, however, I enjoy listening to all of it on a regular basis. If you like this kind of music, I recommend it.