From Amazon.com
He's even better live!
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: I first "discovered" Jack in 1999 when the Winterline album first came out. Song after song rolled out of my CD player and I couldn't believe it. This guy has to be the best kept secret of the music world. What a great songwriter. And then I caught a live show. He's even better live! If there is a better guitar player on the planet I have never seen or heard of him. Buy this album and then buy the rest of his albums. You will not be disappointed. And then catch him live!
Utter Doggerel
Album Rating: (1 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: I heard "You're the One" one morning on my local radio station and just HAD to find out who the artist was. Their online "last song played" service was down, so I came to Amazon.com to see if I could track it down, and low and behold I found Across the Winterline. I immediately clicked on One Click Ordering and awaited it's arrival.
What a TOTAL disappointment. "You're the One" is a wonderful piece of music. There is no doubt that Jack Williams is a remarkably talented guitarist and vocalist. I love his melodies, especially when he sticks close to his talent for no holds barred blues. He has a great voice, gravelly, resonant and warm. BUT . . .
With the exception of "Your the One" and maybe one or two other songs that escape me at the moment, his lyrics are just terrible. Not just terrible, irritating, anoying doggerel. They are full of some of the worst forced rhymes, trite cliches and cheap sentimental bromides I've ever heard. Some of these lyrics are so bad they are painful to listen to.
If you can afford it, buy this CD and add "Your the One" to the blues list on your IPod, RealPlayer folder, or include it in a compilation CD you burn, and then throw this one away. That's what I did. Otherwise, just pass.
Touches your soul
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: I heard "The Man in Me" on the local radio and was so impressed I called the station to find out who ws the author of such poetry and skillful presentation. After getting this CD it is one of my all-time favorites. Jack has a truely honest and real presense that will touch your soul.
Wow--just wow.
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: I love this guy. He's great in concert, nice gravelly (sp?) voice, and genuine poetry in the lyrics. I'm here to buy the newest album. One note, though I love both Songdog and Winterline, I'd give the prize to Winterline (that's the one of him crouching and jumping in the reflection right?). I saw him opening for David Wilcox (the American one, not the Canadian), who's another brilliant songwriter you should check out if you're into this kind of stuff.
Superb Guitarist and poet
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: I heard Jack at a folk festival this summer and was very Impressed. Yes Peter Yarrow, he is about the best guitarist accompanying himself I have ever heard. I have learned to play " Mama Lou", " Across the Winterline", etc but the most lyrical song on this album is " The Lone Palmetto Sings "."Waterbug" is a unique song really displaying his guitar virtuosity. Add together Gordon Lightfoot, Phil Ochs, Joe South and throw in superb guitar and you have Jack Williams. Enjoy.
Purchases
1 You're the One
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