Ultimate Joe Williams CD

Verve's Ultimate series unveils a new concept in the hackneyed concept of greatest-hits collections: instead of compilation producers, these albums feature tracks selected by figures who either worked with or were influenced by the artists themselves. The results are much more than your average best-of compilations; they're closer to treatises on the immense influence those artists exerted on generations to come, documenting exactly why they were special and deserve to be remembered. For vocalist Kevin Mahogany, the major figure in male jazz vocals during the '90s, the natural choice is none other than Joe Williams, the epitome of graceful swing. The collection begins with two versions of Williams' most popular song -- "Every Day I Have the Blues" -- recorded 30 years apart (Williams recorded only one full-length album released on Verve during the '50s, then returned to the label during the late '80s). Most of the rest of the songs are from Williams' later career at Verve, sophisticated swing selections like "How Deep Is the Ocean?," "Embraceable You," "I'm Beginning to See the Light," and "Sometimes I'm Happy." Williams himself participated in another volume of the Ultimate series by selecting songs for the Ella Fitzgerald compilation. ~ John Bush

Tracks selected by Kevin Mahogany.

Includes liner notes by Kevin Mahogany and Bob Blumenthal.

This is part of the Verve Records Ultimate series.

Personnel includes: Joe Williams (vocals, arranger); Norman Simmons (arranger, piano); Ernie Wilkins, Buddy Bregman (arranger); Shirley Horn (vocals, piano); Bill Graham, Marshal Royal, Med Flory, Lanny Morgan (alto saxophone); Frank Foster, Frank Wess, Ray Reed, Jay Migliori (tenor saxophone); Charlie Fowlkes, Jack Nimitz (baritone saxophone); Wendell Culley, Reunald Jones, Thad Jones, Joe Newman (trumpet); Henry Coker, Bill Hughes, Benny Powell (trombone); Count Basie, Ellis Larkins (piano); Kenny Burrell (acoustic guitar); Freddie Green, Henry Johnson, Ted Dunbar (guitar); Eddie Jones, Bob Badgley, Charles Ables, Paul West (bass); Sonny Payne, Gerryck King, Steve Williams, Dennis Mackrel (drums).

Producers include: Norman Granz, Miriam Cutler, David Kreisberg, Ron Berinstein, Buddy Bregman.

Compilation producer: Richard Seidel.