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Review by Bob Mitchell
that appeared in the January 2005 issue of Louisville Music
News
Doing It Right
Johnny Williams
1-800-Lonesome
Bell Buckle Records
by Bob Mitchell
The first right
thing Williams did was to enlist the help of his talented
wife, Jeanette, and her band. The second right thing he
did was to assemble an enjoyable array of songs. Two
tracks, including the catchy title cut, were written by
the incredible team of Tom T. and Dixie Hall. Williams,
1998 and 1999 winner of the Chris Austin song writing
contest at Merle Fest, contributes five original tunes but
none finer than "Take Your Love and Go,"
"Round Woods," an original haunting instrumental
with an old time feel, and the heartfelt "I Cling To
Your Memory."
Williams, the
subject of a feature article in the July issue Bluegrass
Now, knows how to write a good bluegrass tune. He wrote
and recorded three songs for the soundtrack of "Bell
Witch: The Movie." In addition, his songs have been
recorded by Larry Stephenson, Junior Sisk, Special
Consensus, and Honi Deaton. Another thing Williams can do
is sing a good bluegrass song. When he covers Buck Owen's
"Sweethearts In Heaven" it is easy to understand
why he was named Virginia State Champion Male Vocalist in
1991.
The project also
features some fine husband-wife harmony especially on
"Shutters of My Heart," "Trail of The Old
Lonesome Pine," "I Cling To Your Memory,"
and "Take Your Love and Go". Their a capella
gospel duet, "Perfect Joy," is superb.
Three tracks feature
Jeanette on lead vocal: an excellent title track, the up
tempo "Love Me Or Leave Me Alone," and a sincere
"You Don't Love Me Anymore."
Williams is ably
assisted by Marsha Bowman's solid banjo (especially nice
on "Sailor's Regret"); Jeanette Williams on
acoustic bass and lead and harmony vocals; Stephen
Fraleigh's tasteful fiddle work (notably on "I Cling
To Your Memory"); and Ashby Frank on mandolin.
Guesting on this project is Sally Jones, Pinecastle
recording artist, with her skillful baritone vocal on
"1-800-Lonesome."
Louisville Music
News, is a monthly paper with an estimated readership of
18,000 and on line readership of 22,000. All or portions
of Louisville Music News may be reprinted provided
explicit citation of the source is made.
Louisville Music
News
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