Don Williams – Epilogue: The Cellar Tapes – Recordings From “The Gentle Giant”
Old school C&W legends were legends for a reason. The genre got a bad rap when some one-hit wonders with sugary twangy showcases began to feature borderline novelty & campy music that was passed off as mainstream country. But Buck Owens, Sonny James, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty, Jim Reeves, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton & Don Williams weren’t in this club. The only novelty country singer of merit was Roger Miller (one listen to his Broadway show soundtrack songs to “Big River” will prove that point – “River In the Rain”).
12 candescent tunes light up this posthumous set, Don Williams – Epilogue: The Cellar Tapes – Recordings From “The Gentle Giant” (Dropped May 29/Craft/Concord Recordings) produced by the late Texas-born Don Williams (1936-2017) with Garth Fundis. Where was this guy when I was growing up? “I Wish I Was Crazy Again,” how original & creative can a musician get with a simple country song? It’s lissome, graceful, poignant & it resonates with the average Joe.
Listening to Williams’ warm voice has an Americana polish that’s a rarity. Oh, there are great country artists today, talented, excellent musicians with skill & prowess. But the “spirit” & the creative themes are often replications. Not from lack of trying. This reissue with “Try Me Again,” “You Came True,” & definitely the up-close & personal “I’m the One” (alternate version) — pensive & organic. You can feel Don’s breath in your ear. And what are these? Never before heard recordings from Don Williams. Not demos or left-off album songs. Just extras. These are his latest from his final LP. These were pieces recorded with care & found by his family following his passing. Restored & remastered from original tapes with fresh accompaniment from his own touring band on his surplus motherlode.
I’m not a huge country fan (too pre-occupied with The Beatles, Springsteen, & the Rolling Stones – until they started to do stuff like “Wild Horses.” Then, their friendship with Gram Parsons. I started to wonder if there must be something to Country. Then I hear Don’s “Leaving Louisiana In the Broad Daylight” & the hair on the back of my neck sprang up like it did when I first heard Bobbie Gentry’s take on Doug Kershaw’s “Louisiana Man” & Jody Miller’s “Silver Threads & Golden Needles.” Yeah, there’s something to Mr. Williams. His voice had authenticity; it penetrated the pores of my skin.
“I’ve Fallen In Love For the Last Time” & “I’m the One” – where Don says in his songs what many would like to say. This is the reason Don charted 56 singles, had countless awards & inductions into halls of fame. From the boy who didn’t get it long ago – it’s obvious now why. “Giant” doesn’t come close to describing his talent. I’ve got catching up to do. Effortless, mellifluous & intense in his expressive power. This isn’t a country singer…this is an artist.
Highlights – All.
CD @ Amazon & https://donwilliamsofficial.com/ & https://craftrecordings.com/products/don-williams-epilogue-the-cellar-tapes-lp?srsltid=AfmBOopMgOp3X5hHguUTBbM6Hixq9uNTkyjQ_9NqV28TxFN4FOrtQxdV