Gig Review
Brooks Williams
Saturday, 19 June 2010:
A very welcome return for his third visit to Bluesnights by this native son of Statesboro, Georgia. Brooks Williams, who now resides in the UK, turned in an enthralling performance. Quickly engaging the crowd with his warm personality he set about wowing everybody with his guitar technique!
Starting with a Son House song “Grinning In Your Face”, he brought out much emotion with expressive vocals and accomplished playing. Then a homage to his hometown with a fast paced version of “Statesboro Blues” by Blind Willie McTell.
On his self-penned composition “The Time I Spent With You”, there is an interesting riffs and chord progression, which Brooks told us owed much to the stylings of the late, great Freddy King.
Swapping his custom-built acoustic for his Resonator steel guitar he then played Snooks Eaglin’s “Trouble in Mind”, a very medium-paced ragtime which showcased his superb finger picking.
A highly enjoyable first set with excellent slide work, finishing with another own composition “Frank Delandri” – an homage to an early (but sadly never recorded) blues guitarist who made a living entertaining waiting customers in Deep South brothels. Brooks’ plaintive vocals were artfully complemented by his fast fretwork.
... continued
Brooks Williams started his second set with “When The Sun Goes Down”, a slow blues and beautifully played. Being a fan of Lightnin’ Hopkins, Brooks wrote a song as a tribute to him entitled “Sit At The Feet Of Lightnin'”, which documented Brooks' periodic visits to the legendary bluesman’s Texas hometown; fast picking and poignant lyrics made for an evocative song.
An especially good number was “61 Highway” with its hypnotic rhythm and insistent riff. Easily able to change styles and rhythms, Brooks Williams did a grand job on Blind Boy Fuller’s “Weeping Willow Blues” and with its jumpy rhythm it rocked really well.
With Muddy Waters' “Sugar Sweet”, Brooks pulled out all the stops. His rendition featured red-hot picking and a thumping rhythm - a very punchy number!
Then, by contrast, to draw the evening to a close he played an instrumental version of “Love Me Tender”, smooth picking of notes and chords and a very gentle end to the night.
Brooks Williams combined guitar artistry with a melodic vocal style and went down really well with the (highly discerning!) Bluesnight's audience! He is one bluesman that everyone should check out.
This last gig of the current Bluesnight's season was a truly excellent concert!
Review by: Lewis A Harris.
© Bluesnights. The Dorset Blues Society.
19 June 2010.
