Sonics unmatched by any bluegrass CD or LP. One of the Chicago Tribune’s Top 10 Bluegrass CDs of 2001: “...a lesson on precisely what makes brother duets so unique. The two men—Tony and Gary—sing as one while maintaining their own individual sounds, and make it seem easy. Tony also is among the finest mandolinists alive, and the instrumental passages, featuring an excellent band assembled for this session, dazzle without ever lapsing into flashiness.” The moment the brothers leaned into the mike, it was obvious why they’ve been winning national awards for 40 years. Their all-star banjo-fiddle-guitar-bass band includes multiple Grammy winners, two world bluegrass champions, and a Bluegrass Hall of Honor member.
1. Boatman -Listen to Full Song
2. Mountain Girl -Listen to Sample
3. Still Light Of The Evening -Listen to Sample
4. City On The Hill
5. White Angels In The Clouds
6. Back Up and Push
7. I've Always Been A Rambler
8. Hard Luck Shuffle
9. Out In The Cold World
10. I Could Melt A Mountain Top
11. Temperance Reel
12. Maple On The Hill
13. Rovin' Gambler
14. Angeline The Baker
15. Jacob's Vision
Look no further than the Williams Brothers for a lesson on precisely what makes brother duets so unique. The two men--Tony and Gary--sing as one while maintaining their own individual sounds, and make it seem easy. Brother Tony also is among the finest mandolinists alive, and the instrumental passages, featuring an excellent band assembled for this session, dazzle without ever lapsing into flashiness. This is great music hiding behind genuine humility. -David Royko
Often we rely upon the national media to define our standards when excellence can be found in our own back yard. Siler City's Tony Williamson is a world-renowned mandolin player, bluegrass musician and band leader whose admirers include Ralph Stanley, Doc Watson and Sam Bush. The 15-track CD consists of original and traditional tunes and songs constructed around the Southern dialectic of loss and redemption. Most of the original songs were written by Tony Williamson.
The measure of an artist is reflected in the musicians he associates with, and Williamson has assembled some of the best. Gary handles most of the lead vocals and rhythm guitar. John Hartford Stringband alumnus Larry Perkins (a Kannapolis native) picks banjo and guitar. Don Wright (banjo and guitar), Rex McGee (fiddle and lead guitar) and former Seldom Scene bassist Tom Gray round out the veteran band.
The CD was recorded in a small private studio in Maryland, using two-track analog tape with the musicians gathered in a simi-circle around an arrangement of microphones. The technology and recording technique result in a warmth and spontaneity seldom achieved in more high-tech studios.
The live sound is just one of the special qualities of this alluring CD, which whets the appetite for hearing Tony Williamson and company live on the concert trail. -fJack Bernhardt
Now you've up and done it -- a killer project of absolutely wonderful old-timers and old-timey flavored tunes done just the way they ought to be done -- with soaring harmonies as only brothers can sing and just the right instrumentation. This music really harkens back to those halcyon days of yore when life was simpler and the music was infused with heartfelt sentimentality and passion. I thoroughly enjoyed every cut -- if I had to pick favorites I'd probably go with the title track, "White Angels In the Clouds," "If I Could Melt A Mountain Top," "Boatman," "City On the Hill" and "Angeline the Baker." This is a fabulous recording that should please old timey enthusiasts, ultra-traditional bluegrassers and ... well .... everybody! Congratulations! -Dave Higgs
