Bernie Williams Journey Within CD

A perennial all-star and paragon of consistency, Bernie Williams patrolled centerfield for the New York Yankees starting in 1990 with grace and a certain coolness. A classically trained guitarist, he also gained renown within baseball circles as the sport's preeminent musician. Throughout the history of baseball there have been many major leaguers who have fancied themselves musicians. However, outside of Arthur Lee Maye, an outfielder who led a moderately successful doo-wop combo, the Crowes, in the '50s, and Scott Radinsky, a relief pitcher who fronted two highly regarded '90s punk bands, Ten Foot Pole and Pulley, most of these athletes' ambitions have generally been reserved, and rightfully so, for hobbies.

However, Williams's 2003 debut, THE JOURNEY WITHIN, a deft jazz record with an infusion of Latin themes, proves him an able guitarist in the tradition of Grant Green, as well as an impressive songwriter whose day job just happened to be baseball star. Williams-penned compositions such as "La Salsa En Mi," "Just Because," and "Enter the Bond" reveal him at home with all styles and paces, while his take on the classic-rock standard "Dust In The Wind" displays a keen ear for improvisation. Overall, a promising debut from a young lion who just coincidentally happened to be....

Recorded at Globe Studios, New York, New York.

Personnel: Bernie Williams (guitar, percussion); Mark Rivera (saxophone); Jerry Hey (flugelhorn); Bela Fleck (banjo); Hiram Williams (cello); John Thomas (piano, keyboards, string synthesizer); David Benoit (piano); Larry Williams (Fender Rhodes piano); David Sancious (keyboards); Tim Pierce, David Spinozza, Mike Alvarez (guitar); Leland Sklar, T-Bone Wolk (bass); Kenny Aronoff, Shawn Pelton (drums); Luis Conte, Bashiri Johnson (percussion); Ruben Blades, Gilberto Santa, B.J. Lequerica.

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.Entertainment Weekly (7/25/03, p.73) - "...The Puerto Rico native proves a mighty fine guitarist--and composer--on JOURNEY, an infectious, jazzy mix of Latin-tinged instrumentals..." - Grade: B