JODY WILLIAMS
The Return of A Legend (Evidence Records)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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If you listen to some of the old stuff by Howlin' Wolf like "Evil," "I Have a Little Girl," or Bo Diddley's "Who Do You Love," you've heard Jody Williams' guitar. Jody worked the Chicago blues circuit in the 1950's at clubs like Silvio's and sat in on some of the most recognizable music ever to come out of 2120 South Michigan Avenue, the home of Chess Records. He had a hit in the late 50's with "Lucky Lou" and Tinsley Ellis plays right alongside Jody on some very complicated and original blues progressions on this CD. Jody Williams' story is a sad story of what might have been, big time. His blazing guitar work was picked up by less than scrupulous folks, and writer's credits, and subsequent royalties, eluded Jody through a series of misunderstandings and outright theft of his work as a bluesman ascendant. Forty-plus years ago, he put his guitar under his bed and focused on his family and his day job. We're very fortunate that he brought his "Red Lightning Gibson" back out, and Williams sounds as fresh today as he did on those legendary Chess recordings. Chicago blues harpman extraordinaire Billy Boy Arnold, one of Jody's bandmates from the 50's, sings "I'm Coming Back in Again" and Rusty Zinn helps out with "Brown Eyes and Big Thighs," an entertaining romp that's a lot of fun. For some blazing Chicago blues guitar work, you can't beat The Return of a Legend. Now that he's retired from his day job, Jody can get back to the blues, and we'll all be the better for it. I don't have a crystal ball, but I'll be looking for Jody Williams at next year's W.C. Handy Awards.

Track List:

Lucky Lou * Come Over To My House * Lifelong Lover * You May * Moanin' For Molasses * 6. Monkey Business * I'm Coming Back In Again * She Found A Fool And Bumped His Head * Jive Spot * Brown Eyes And Big Thighs * Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am * What You Gonna Do? * Henpecked And Happy

© 2002 - Eric Steiner