Joe Williams

Dibble · September-28th-2003, 07:49 PM

I know this might sound strange..but I am only recently discovering the wonderful Joe Williams..what a voice!! Good heavens..!! I recently acquired some examples of his work with Count Basie from my Dad..(thanks Dad)

Could any of you good people give me a few must-haves??

Im sorry if everything I say on here is old news to everyone else..but its all new to me!

Thanks

Debbie

Mike Schwartz · September-28th-2003, 08:27 PM

Debbie,
I'm sure not to be alone around here or in any jazz circle to state that Mr. Williams is my personal all-time male vocalist!

A really good compilation is a the Verve 2 CD set with a bunch of the classic Basie hits, as well as a mix of various small group sessions over the years.

One of the highlights of my current stint in radio was the hour and a half or so 1 on 1 with my vocal hero taped 3 months before his surprizing passing. What a thrill!

Every so often during my show I play this I.D....

"This is Joe Williams:You can catch the "Straight No Chaser" Broadcast with your host Mike Schwartz on the Internet at www.ksjs.org OR right here on your radio at KSJS 90.5 FM!"

After doing the interview and recording that station ID and a couple of others, Joe said he thought that they were very well conceived and liked the way they were put together. Spending that time with a legend like Joe, was a thrill of a lifetime

hornplayer · September-28th-2003, 11:00 PM

Debbie:

Joe's all time favorite recording was "A Man Ain't Supposed to Cry." It's available now on CD, and I think you'll love it.

My all time favorite recording is called Joe Williams and Friends, I Just Want to Sing. It was recorded in 1985 and shows off his "more mature" voice.

Joe's recording with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band is superb, as is the beautiful "Here's to Life" that he recorded in the '90's with the Robert Farnon Orchestra.

Then finally released on cd last year is the Joe Williams/George Shearing collaboration called "Heart and Soul."

You will enjoy all of these.

Joe was more than just my all-time favorite make vocalist... He was one of my very best friends ever.

Tom Storer · September-29th-2003, 02:05 AM

I'll second hornplayer's recommendation of "I Just Want to Sing." I had heard JW sing the blues with Basie, but that album introduced me to the full range of his talents. Plus it has the hilarious "It's Not Easy Being White"!

And the record with Thad and Mel is indispensable. "Rocks In My Bed"!

stonemonkts · September-29th-2003, 12:17 PM

The one I have with Basie is "Basie Swings/Joe Williams Sings" which is a gem. I love how Williams uses the deepness of his voice to accentuate the songs. Great style, and from what I can hear, a singer with loads of wit and grace. I should get more Joe Williams recordings.

Mike Schwartz · September-29th-2003, 12:24 PM

"Ballads & Blues Master" from the 80's is one of the later diamonds from Joe, IMO

Valerie · September-29th-2003, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mike Schwartz
"Ballads & Blues Master" from the 80's is one of the later diamonds from Joe, IMO

I second Mike's "emotion"!!

Dibble · September-30th-2003, 08:25 PM

Thank you all so much....Im astounded by your generosity.

Music is such a "subjective" and I think it is brave and kind to share your thoughts

Im a little sad that he is new to me...having read your posts

Hornplayer..seeing as he was your friend..Ill can pass on why he made me sit up and beg!!

I worship the ground Ella Fitzgerald walks on..and when I heard Too Close For Comfort with The Count and Ella and Joe..Joe did it for me!!

He was better than Ella on this track IMHO and I really hope he was a happy man..because ..for what it is worth..his raunchy exquisitely clear baritone is a revelation to me and he sounds so joyful when he sings!!

If you are still in touch with the great man's family..tell them he has a new fan!!

And to my Auntie Ella ( honestly she is the spitting image of my Grandmother and Great Aunt)I still love you too..but I am adopting a new Uncle Joe

Cheers Jazz Corner-ites

Debbie

My how music moves me to write such mush!!

hornplayer · October-1st-2003, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dibble
Hornplayer..seeing as he was your friend..Ill can pass on why he made me sit up and beg!!

Debbie, you don't have to "pass.." Joe had that effect on LOTS of women!

Dibble · October-2nd-2003, 09:05 PM

Oh dear I think we have a case of two nations divided by a common language here Hornplayer!!

when ai said pass on..I meant share..not avoid...chuckle

I was sharing or passing on with you..what prompted me to post here about him..although I can see your point!! but not literally!!

eek ..scared I might say the wrong thing!!

Bloody fantastic singer..and a total revelation to me

Thanks everone for your comments..even you Hornplayer!!

hornplayer · October-3rd-2003, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dibble
Oh dear I think we have a case of two nations divided by a common language here Hornplayer!!

when ai said pass on..I meant share..not avoid...chuckle

I was sharing or passing on with you..what prompted me to post here about him..although I can see your point!! but not literally!!

eek ..scared I might say the wrong thing!!

Bloody fantastic singer..and a total revelation to me

Thanks everone for your comments..even you Hornplayer!!

[/i]
Bloody fantastic singer..[/QUOTE] "Bloody" Fantastic person, too, Debbie... BTW.. did you know his wife's a Brit?

Dibble · October-3rd-2003, 09:28 PM

I didnt know that Hornplayer!..Im bowled over by his voice..and he sounds like a a HUMAN being too..Thanks you so much for the info..and if you are in touch with the great man's wife and fellow Brit..please tell her that my numerous children now have a less than healthy appreciation for Joe..and that he lives on appreciated in my humble abode. They arent many 10 - 18 year old Mancunians with a inkling of who Joe Williams is..until now! And they like him!!

Enjoying my ever-growing wonderful music collection

Debbie

Dibble · October-3rd-2003, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David Gitin
I had the good fortune to meet Joe and his wife several times. One of the last occasions was Benny Carter's 88th birthday party (seven years ago) at Jazz Bakery in L.A. I took my mother, then close to 80 herself, and with all the 'luminaries' there lost track of her. When I located her, she was in a corner talking with Joe.

How lovely Dave!!..I think he is FABULOUS..goosepimples ( UK for goosebumps)I would have loved to have told him how much he moved me..hope your Mum enjoyed the party

What an incredible talent he had..

As a complete blurt with no musical talent..I am in awe of his capacity to move me..

which is why I think I am gravitating towards "jazz" whatever that is..it seems to me that it a complete unison between existing and music..where one has the control of one's instrument like a speaking voice..whether it be a voice or a .n. other instrument.

Shut up Debbie!!

GoodSpeak · October-5th-2003, 08:58 PM

Here are the Joe Williams CDs I own, FWIW:

I JUST WANT TO SING
BALLAD AND BLUES MASTER
COUNT BASIE SWINGS, JOE WILLIAMS SINGS
THE BEST OF JOE WILLIAMS ON BLUENOTE

And...Keep talkin' Debbie ;-)

Joe Williams is alltime.

Dibble · October-7th-2003, 08:53 PM

FWIW..thanks GoodSpeak..and dont invite me to talk..lol

Some more to add to my collection..oh dear

Wasnt he "effortless"..!!

shrugs · October-7th-2003, 08:59 PM

find Every Night: Live on Vine St.

Dibble · October-7th-2003, 09:17 PM

Is this it??

Every Night: Live At Vine Street (PGD/Verve, 1987)

Don't You Know I Care
Shake Rattle And Roll
Every Night
Dollar For A Dime
Too Marvelous For Words
Sometimes I'm Happy
Every Day (I Have The Blues)
Same Ol' Story
Jimmy's Blues
I Want A Little Girl
Roll 'Em Pete

shrugs · October-8th-2003, 10:37 PM

That's the one. It's one of his best IMO.

clinthopson · October-9th-2003, 11:58 AM

My all-time favoprite blues cut is the version of "Joe's Blues" with the Capp/Pierce Juggernatut Liev at Century Plaza.

Joe and Marshall Royal just tear it up!

hornplayer · October-9th-2003, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by clinthopson
My all-time favoprite blues cut is the version of "Joe's Blues" with the Capp/Pierce Juggernatut Liev at Century Plaza.

Joe and Marshall Royal just tear it up!

AMEN, Clint! and I haven't ever seen it on CD.... is it?

clinthopson · October-9th-2003, 04:33 PM

Horny,

I have it on cd. On Concord 4072. Email me if you can't find it.

Noj · October-18th-2003, 11:10 PM

Up

Valerie · October-19th-2003, 01:01 AM

As quite a few folks here already know, Joe was and is one of my all-time favorites. The first time I recall seeing him in person was his appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1963 and the last time was several months before his passing, with many, many times inbetween, thank goodness! I am also very grateful to be able to say that he was my friend too.

Dibble, you can't get too mushy for me when you speak about Joe!! Carry on, he deserves all of it!!

hornplayer · October-20th-2003, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by clinthopson
Horny,

I have it on cd. On Concord 4072. Email me if you can't find it.

Thanks, Clint... I just now saw this post... I'll look for that!

Valerie · October-20th-2003, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dibble
Is this it??

Every Night: Live At Vine Street (PGD/Verve, 1987)

Don't You Know I Care
Shake Rattle And Roll
Every Night
Dollar For A Dime
Too Marvelous For Words
Sometimes I'm Happy
Every Day (I Have The Blues)
Same Ol' Story
Jimmy's Blues
I Want A Little Girl
Roll 'Em Pete

I am so grateful to be able to say that I was in the audience for two of the sets when this was recorded. I was with my boyfriend at the time who wrote "Same Ol' Story".

Mike Schwartz · October-20th-2003, 01:55 PM

I'd like to share what is now a very funny and equally embarassing Joe Williams story.

A dozen years or so, I take my girlfriend at the time to see my favorite male vocalist. She had heard him on recordings was extremely excited to be seeing the Great Joe Williams at the Blue Note in NYC.

We're totally hooked up; sitting at the table in the center of the room up against the stage directly under/besides the singers microphone stand!

Across the table from us is a woman chain smoking one cigarette after another, much of the disgusting odor and smoke rising directly up into Joe's face. We observe this for several tunes worth during the fantastic show, and I tell my lady friend that I can't take it any more, have GOT TO tell this woman to have some respect, to please refrain from smoking and poisoning of all people Joe Williams himself....

I politely but firmly ask the perpetrator to chill, at which point she says something back in a thick French accent along with a "mind your business and BTW DROP DEAD" look back at me.
At the conclusion of that very song, Joe graciously points out to the audience how thrilled he is that one of his longest and very best friends and fans in the world is in the audience....

Naturally it's Miss Chimney, sitting right in front of Mr. Williams.

Me and my NY mouth did it again;-)

hornplayer · October-20th-2003, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Valerie
I was with my boyfriend at the time who wrote "Same Ol' Story".

Benard Ighner??? (I used to love the way Joe always made an issue of pronouncing Benard's name precisely. I guess he was frequently called BeRnard....)

Valerie · October-20th-2003, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hornplayer
Benard Ighner??? (I used to love the way Joe always made an issue of pronouncing Benard's name precisely. I guess he was frequently called BeRnard....)

Right you are, HP!

Mike, that is one funny story!

xoxoxo to both of you.

Dibble · October-20th-2003, 08:35 PM

Fantastic stories ..so lovely to hear from people who knew the great man..

Feeling mushy again at being a new fan..

I dont have any wonderful stories to tell but thank you all...hoping to build up my collection further when the credit card has recovered a little

Debbie X

Dibble · October-30th-2003, 09:26 PM

Im finding more and more out about this wonderful man and his voice..thanks