Gentle Giant returns
Wednesday, March 21, 2012 – The Gentle Giant is back. After seemingly being retired, Don Williams will return with "And So It Goes" on Sugar Hill Records on June 19, his first since 2004.
Williams had a string of hits from the 1970s to the 1990s, including Tulsa Time, I Believe in You, It Must Be Love and Good Ole Boys Like Me. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010.
With the chance to reunite with honored Nashville producer Garth Fundis, with whom he'd worked for 17 years on many of his greatest successes and encouragement from his management and the label, he decided to go back to the studio one more time, as well as out on tour to support the release.
"I didn't do this album because I just felt that I was going to die if I didn't do another one, but because of all of that encouragement to do it," he said. "So here we are - and now I'm feeling good about it."
The band includes guitarist Billy Sanford and percussionist Kenny Malone. Keith Urban, Alison Krauss and Vince Gill add both instrumentals and vocal backing. Williams duets with Krauss on I Just Come Here for the Music. "We weren't looking to reinvent Don," producer Garth Fundis notes, "just to make a good new Don Williams record."
"When we started back up again," Williams said. "It was like we'd never quit." Kieran Kane, Ronnie Bowman, Al Anderson and Leslie Satcher, Don's son Tim Williams and Williams himself contributed songs.
"The only description that I've ever had for songs I choose to do," he said, "is that they affect me emotionally and that, hopefully, they have something to say that will touch other people." In doing both of those, listeners are about to find, 'And So It Goes' doesn't miss a beat.
More news for Don Williams
CD reviews for Don Williams
So It Goes
Don Williams is among the country artists who have been as steady and consistent as they come. Now at the tender age of 73, Williams' bass-baritone timbre hasn't been ravaged one bit by Father Time. This latest album - his first since 2004 - is no exception with Williams offering up "Better Than Today" in a true, toe-tapping country style. From there, the singer slows the album down for a ballad Heart Of Hearts that has just the right combination of grace and musicianship. »»» |
My Heart To You
Don Williams made some of the best country music records of the 1980s, like, "Good Old Boys Like Me." His understated charms seem to have been lost in the shuffle when one considers the names brought up as classic singers - Jones, Haggard, Gosdin...but not the man once dubbed the, "Gentle Giant," for his tall stature and mellow voice.
Williams has never really stopped recording new material, though his hit-making Nashville days are behind him. This latest disc has some songs that should hold up »»» |
Greatest Hits Volume Two
One of the most unfortunate aspects of Music Row is its lack of respect for its older artists; Don Willams is a classic example of an artist who still makes incredibly fine music but has to ply his trade for smaller imprints. This CD is a fine addition to the Texas troubadour's catalog.
From "We're All The Way" to "I Believe in You," Williams' smooth baritone shows few signs of age. And in a day where studio glitz reigns supreme, the gentle acoustic spirit in Williams' live set is most welcome. »»» |
Editorial: Walking the talk –
When names like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon and the Hag are invoked, you're talking hard core country. These are the touchstones of country , the guys who made country music what it was and still is (or maybe can be). When these folks would sing about being down-and-out and the rough-and-tumble, they knew of what they were singing about. Fast forward a few years to the country singers of today. »»»
Concert Review: McGraw has plenty of fight left –
Despite the fact that Tim McGraw is five years sober, fit as a triathlete and touring behind a number one album, he is still in an unenviable position. As he approaches 50, McGraw has to stay a step ahead of the current crop of young country hunks with TV shows, cross format radio airplay and wider appeal. But as he proved at First Niagara's... »»»
Concert Review: Steve Earle doesn't rest (on laurels) –
If you didn't realize Steve Earle had a new disc out, "The Low Highway," it would have been no problem realizing that quite and quickly.
That was because Earle started the two-hour show with three straight tracks from "The Low Highway," and he would not be done for the night. The title track of was a midtempo effort... »»»
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