Jody Williams Return Of A Legend CD

Personnel includes: Jody Williams (vocals, guitar); Willie Henderson (arranger, baritone saxophone); Sean Costello, Tinsley Ellis, Rusty Zinn (guitar, background vocals); Ronnie Baker Brooks (guitar); Billy Boy Arnold (harmonica, background vocals); Hank Ford (saxophone); Kenny Smith (trumpet); Allen Batts (piano, organ); Harlan Terson (bass); Kenny Smith (drums).
Recorded at Tone Zone Studios, Chicago, Illinois in September 2001. Includes liner notes by Bill Dahl.
Digitally remastered using HDCD technology.
Personnel: Jody Williams (vocals, guitar, maracas); Rusty Zinn, Sean Costello, Tinsley Ellis (vocals, guitar); Billy Boy Arnold (vocals, harp); Ronnie Baker Brooks (guitar); Hank Ford (tenor saxophone); Willie Henderson (baritone saxophone); Kenny Anderson (trumpet); Allen Batts (piano, organ); Kenny Smith (drums).
Audio Mixer: Fred Breitberg.
Liner Note Author: Bill Dahl.
Recording information: Tone Zone, Chicago, IL (09/2001).
Photographer: Dan Machnik.
Arranger: Willie Henderson.
The boastful title is no exaggeration; this is a welcome return for the classic Chicago blues sideman, who, primarily because of the misfortune of his music being exploited by other musicians, took a self-imposed retirement for nearly 30 years. It's especially rewarding since Williams -- whose work you hear on early Howlin' Wolf, Otis Spann, Bo Diddley, Billy Boy Arnold (who guests here) sides -- hadn't played a lick during that time, keeping his guitar stashed under his bed. He sounds like he never put the instrument away on this album, the first cohesive disc under his own name ever. Aided by comparative youngsters Tinsley Ellis, Ronnie Baker Brooks, and Rusty Zinn, along with a 21-year-old Sean Costello, Williams holds the spotlight like the pro his is. Though well into his sixties when this was recorded in 2001, he sounds remarkably vibrant, completely confident, and totally in his element. Whether reprising past glories like the magnificent instrumental "Moanin' for Molasses" along with Costello (who had revived the tune as the title track to his third release) or "Lucky Lou," which most blues fans will immediately recognize as the opening to Otis Rush's "All Your Love" (but was nicked from Williams), or writing new originals like the slow blues of "She Found a Fool and Bumped His Head," the guitarist sounds like he's thrilled to be recording again. That enthusiasm infects the band and pervades this album with a glow all too seldom felt when bluesmen attempt comebacks, especially after laying low as long as Williams has. Between his clean, jazzy yet direct blues style, the remarkably sympathetic band, and wonderfully understated production from Dick Shurman (the man heavily credited with enticing Williams back from obscurity), there are no missteps on this return. It's a tasteful showcase for one of the blues' lesser-known yet classic stars, and will hopefully be the beginning of a new lease on life for Jody Williams. ~ Hal HorowitzDown Beat (June 2002, p.60) - 4 out of 5 stars - "...In the '50s, [Williams] had a lively musical imagination and a personalized tone and attack; fortunately, his gifts remain intact through the baker's dozen of original songs filling his 'comeback' album..."
Living Blues (5-6/02, p.39) - "...For once, the hype is justified...He sounds as if he just stepped out of a late-'50s/early-'60s time warp..."
Living Blues (p.44) - "[With] well-executed remakes of Williams' early recordings, strong new original compositions, and guest spots with an array of old friends..."
Mojo (Publisher) (5/02, p.112) - "...Has he still got it? Oh, yes....he radiates pleasure in rediscovering himself."