|
• KellerWilliams.net • Buy Dream
|
on His 9th Studio Release! A Kweevak.com Rock Report by Rich and Laura Lynch Fifteen years ago, singer/songwriter Keller Williams starting playing in local bars and restaurants in his hometown of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Later, he moved to Colorado to gig and ski. In the mountain state, Keller befriended members of the String Cheese Incident. SCI hooked Williams up with their in house management team Madison House, who helped Keller get more exposure and bookings at major festivals. Today, Keller is an enthusiastic and energetic one man band who is well respected in the jam band community.
 Keller Williams (photo C. Taylor Crothers - 2007) Keller's compositions range from witty to whimsical with mouth sound effects added to the mix. Williams' lyrics are humorous and sometimes nonsensical, often emphasizing his lighthearted and liberal views on life. Keller plays a modified acoustic twelve string (he removes one high and low E pair for sharper harmonics) along with a number of other instruments including bass and synthesizer. Williams is a master of the Gibson Echoplex Delay system, which enables him to layer and loop his music. Using the sequencer, Keller can play rhythms, sound effects and guitar leads all by himself. Williams is truly a one man jam band! Keller's style is a blend of genres heavy on jam, rock and progressive folk. Keller's compositions have basic structures and form but improvisation is a big part of his songs and live performances. On a stage full of musical equipment and instruments, Williams is like a kid in a toy store. Keller looks thrilled when he finds a cool groove that he can loop before he jumps barefoot to another toy or effect to add to his mix. Once he gets all the various sounds together he will often play the acoustic and sing and sound his way through the jam. Keller is having fun and the crowds are dancing and adding to William's boundless energy and excitement. During his years of touring, Keller has joined other bands for spontaneous jam sessions. "Dream" is his latest sixteen track release that is an extension of his free form ideas and experimental playing. The album started out as a wish list of artists that Williams wanted to collaborate with in the studio. The "long, ambitious list" included many musicians Keller admired. Williams and his team took the position that all "we could do was ask and the worst they could do was say no". Yet, the majority did not say no. In fact, when Bob Weir who was the first to be approached said yes the project "snowballed". Yet, with scheduling conflicts the CD would take almost three years to complete but it is well worth the wait. Keller states that "normally, my stuff is like verse/verse/bridge/chorus, verse/bridge/chorus but in order to be interesting to world class players such as Victor Wooten, the songs needed to be more complex." In some cases, Keller let the guitar responsibilities fall to the guests. "It does not make sense to compete with them (Kimock, Hunter and Scofield to name but a few)". The CD opens strong with a re-work of Keller's classic 'Play This'. This interpretation is an electric funked up version with Jeff Covert contributing drums and lead guitar licks. 'Celebrate Your Youth' is a elaborate blend of progressive jazz and samples with Williams rapping over up-tempo rhythms. 'Cadillac' is a bluegrass flavored collaboration with Bob Weir. The animated guitar exchanges are enhanced by visual commentary and Bob's dog barking in the background. 'Ninja of Love' is a rock/reggae styled song with Michael Franti, Noel White and Jeff Covert adding varied vocals and textures to this eclectic mix. Charlie Hunter takes command on his chunky eight-string on the flavorful and fruitful 'Kiwi and the Apricot'. 'People Watching' with Bela Fleck is spirited, featuring various musical techniques including the tap method. I believe part of the song is being told from a dog's perspective. 'Cookies' is a crunchy, tasty instrumental utilizing various effects and a baritone guitar. 'Rainy Day' is another effects heavy track complete with visual lyrics. 'Sing for my Dinner' is an up-tempo sort of bluegrass tune with Keller's good friends String Cheese Incident. The song takes a number of musical twists and turns from the opening bluegrass vibe. 'Restrain' is a slightly racy, acoustic number featuring the tap technique and other interesting sound effects. 'Life' is innovative and enhanced by Jeff Covert utilizing a Frampton style talk box. The song is fun and funky-classic Keller yet all new. 'Twinkle' shines with Steve Kimock and John Molo playing multifaceted changes and grooves in structures reminiscent of The Dead. 'Got No Feather' is dynamic with John Scofield (guitar) Victor Wooten (bass) and Jeff Sipe (drums). Charlie Hunter contributes more full sounding grooves to 'Slo Mo Balloon', a intricate moody piece heavy on rhythms. 'Lil Sexy Blues' has a world flavor melding with seductive guitar and bass lines. The closer 'Bendix/Dance Hippie' is short with a childlike voice layered over a rhythm. Keller Williams is living proof that "Dreams" come true and his latest CD is fantastic, fanciful and fun! A visionary album featuring world class talent!
 Keller Williams (photo C. Taylor Crothers - 2007) Originally Published: 03/04/2007 on Kweevak.com |
• BLOGS: Kweevak | Soundpress
• 10/09/08 - Concert Industry News: Reunions & Comebacks!
• 10/07/08 - Arnel Pineda: From YouTube to the Big Screen!
• 10/07/08 - The Grateful Dead Take a Trip in Egypt!
• 10/06/08 - Book Review: Brand, Buzz & Success
• 09/22/08 - Squeeze Takes Hold of New York City
• 09/15/08 - Music Builds on a Solid Foundation of Rock
• 09/04/08 - Woodstock Lives on at Bethel Woods Arts Center
• 09/03/08 - Journey, Heart & Cheap Trick Trio Triumphs
• 09/02/08 - Nils Lofgren Talks to Kweevak Radio
• 09/01/08 - Concert Review: Journey Still in Progress
• 08/20/08 - King Crimson Celebrates 40 Years in New York
• 08/20/08 - A Brand New Age for Blackmore's Night
• 08/18/08 - Bob Weir Is Still Counting On the Heads
• 08/17/08 - A Storm of RatDog and the Allman Brothers Band
• 08/09/08 - Shaken Alice Cooper Remains Unfazed
• 08/08/08 - Even More Les Paul and Geoff Achison
• 08/06/08 - Hootie & the Blowfish Supply the Goods
• 08/02/08: Bob Dylan - Down the Tracks DVD
• 08/01/08: Night Ranger Blasts a Hole In The Sun
• 07/28/08 - Smokin' Bottle Rockets Fly in Ringwood
• 07/24/08 - Frank Marino's Solid Mahogany Rush
|
