One of the few great male jazz singers in history, Williams got his start in the late 1930s in Chicago. But it wasn't until the '40s, and his sessions with renowned vibraphonist Lionel Hampton, that he rose to national stardom. In the '50s, Williams sang for Count Basie's big band, where he recorded his first hit, "Every Day I Have the Blues," in 1951. Unlike his flute-voiced predecessor in Basie's band, Jimmy Rushing, Williams sang in a buttery-smooth, dark baritone. His naturalistic phrasing -- inspired by Frank Sinatra -- combined with his subtle slides in pitch make his voice sound warm and comfortable. And his vibrato states its presence without dominating. Williams' greatness stems in part from his versatility as a singer. Tunes such as "Boogie Woogie (I May Be Wrong)" showcase his considerable talent as a blues singer. His scatting on "How High the Moon" reveals a keen, bebop-influenced sense of melody, while "Getting Some Fun Out of Life" demonstrates his understated yet sensitive treatment of ballads.
- Noah Enelow
One of the few great male jazz singers in history, Williams got his start in the late 1930s in Chicago. But it wasn't until the '40s, and his sessions with renowned vibraphonist Lionel Hampton, that he rose to...
 |
Joe Williams Feeds |
 |
Save to del.icio.us |
384 Available
|
|
Goin' To Chicago Blues (4:54) | |
|
|
Teach Me Tonight (4:03) | |
|
|
|
Smack Dab In The Middle (3:26) |
|
|
It's The Talk Of The Town (3:16) | |
|
|
A Man Ain't Supposed To Cry (3:35) | |
|
|
After You've Gone (4:55) | |
|
|
I'm Through With Love (2:56) | |
|
|
Roll 'Em Pete (4:12) | |
|
|
Say It Isn't So (2:56) |
Hear Joe Williams and similar artists on this Radio Station.
|
Joe Williams |
87 Available
ElectronicsListen to any song in the catalog through home audio systems, MP3 players, mobile apps and more.Get Unlimited MusicListen to anything and everything with a Rhapsody Subscription. |
- Portions of Album Content Provided by All Music Guide © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC.
