MAVERICK COUNTRY MUSIC MAGAZINE 2008
Glenn Williams and the Ullbillies
Turkey In The Straw
Lazyswede Productions





A pleasant collection of both original and traditional country/folk songs, brought to us from the wilds of downtown Hull

Glenn Williams is one of the few British artistes that can revive classic country and folk songs and give them a facelift without compromising the musics heritage, and this is shown perfectly on his interpretation of classic songs such as .Turkey In The Straw. and .Wreck Of The Old 97. His songs are delivered acoustically; almost in a bluegrass style but also displaying that quintessential British folk feel.

His backing band the Ullbillies are all accomplished musicians comprising of John Smith on banjo-Mandolin-fiddle-Bones, Alan Raw on accordion-Washboard-Flute, Mick Morton on guitar and Paul Hewson on bass.

Glenn handles lead vocal and guitar and has that typical British vocal delivery that sounds clear and rounded, in fact very easy to listen to, being both warm and inviting.

Of the twelve featured tracks four are original compositions by Glenn, the rest are his interpretation of old traditional folk and country songs.

Of the originals .Doing What I Ought To. is one of my favourites, the track opens with a lovely ragtime guitar intro and then the harmony vocals of Glenn and Mick Morton come in and are first rate, all making for a great little tune.

Glenns versions of the traditional songs are performed to a pretty high standard and his take on classic songs such as .Crawdad Song. and .Corina Corina. are excellent and just go to show that not all British country music is based on playing the same pop country covers over and over again.

This is a good album, that is pleasant to listen to and features excellent musicians and in Glenn Williams we have a good country singer-songwriter who should definitely concentrate on recording more of his own material in the future.

Written by Jim Soars, as featured in the February 2008 edition of Maverick Magazine. www.maverick-country.com

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"The Advertiser" (UK) "Pete Smith's" Review October 2007
GLENN WILLIAMS & THE ULLBILLIES
"TURKEY IN THE STRAW"







Maintaining the theme of real country and innovation we move back across the Atlantic to the port of Hull where resides one Glenn Williams the captain of motley crew called the Ullbillies.

Glenn, it appears, is a performer after my own heart. His passion is to revive classic country and he does this superbly by writing "new" traditional arrangements.

Thus on "Turkey In The Straw" (Lazyswede) we find age old songs like "Turkey In The Straw", "Wreck Of The Old 97", "The Crawdad Song" and "I'll Fly Away" delivered in a brand new but old package.

I know it doesn’t make sense but it will as soon as you hear these songs. Williams is just, well, brilliant! Listen to the old George Jones hit “Ragged But Right”; done the Williams’ way it is straight out of the Blue Sky Boys songbook.

The twelve songs include four of Glenn’s proving that there is probably no end to this guy’s musical talents. Completing the programme is an oh so beautiful a Capella version of "Silent Night".

Glenn arranged, recorded and produced the album with the help of musicians
John Smith (banjo, fiddle, mandolin, bones)
Alan Raw (accordion, tin whistle, flutes, washboard)
Mick Morton (guitar, vocals)
Paul Hewson (bass).









Review From Radio Louisiana.

Having been aquainted with Glenn Williams and The Muddy Waters Boys, for the last six months has given me a chance to listen to a paletera of musical styles.

This new duo of Brian Baker of Australia and Glenn Williams in England has brought two great musical talents together to form a new style of music for both of them.

As they have put out a new single with two side "A" you can understand why it is so when the music starts playing.

When I am Gone, with the lead sung by Brian is a classic almost Lyle Lovett type song. It is toe tapping with some great harmony. You are going to love the instrumentation in this song also.

The otherside of the double "A" single is a song with the lead starting with Glenn Williams. The composition of this song has many levels that make it a great song. As I sat here listening to it for about the 10th time, I was trying to put a style on it. I soon decided that it would be easier to explain who could sing this song equally well I would mention Paul McCartney or Ringo.

Brian Baker has done a great job on the production. I highly recommend these two songs.

Robert Partigianoni
Radio Louisiana
Leesville, Louisiana, USA
http://www.gatorsbackyard.com









Glenn Williams' recent work, whether it be with the Muddy Water Boys, members of his own family or recording solo has that all important element of true musicianship.

On listening to the traditional numbers, one can well be drawn back many years (those of us that are old enough, that is!)or one can be drawn in to new sounds, if one is not familiar with numbers such as 'My Grandfather's Clock'.

Glenn's take on 'Amazing Grace' gives new relevance to that well known number without detracting from the original's essence. In fact in can be said that Glenn has that amazing intuitive ability to revisit songs and re-record them whilst still maintaining that all important retro sound.

We should be hearing more of Glenn and the sooner the better.

Tony Bates
100.7 Highlands FM
Victoria Australia





I was recently was offered several songs for playing on my Radio Station from a fellow over in HULL England. That man’s named Glenn Williams had a band called The Muddy Waters Boys. However, I had never heard of him or his band I gave his songs a listen. His band includes: Glenn Williams, Paul Hewson and featuring "Mick Morton". , Miss Helen Williams-Nyman: Backing Vocals.

When I started my radio station, and a lover of country music. I assumed that all the good country singers were born and raised in the United States. Over the last 7 years, I have received music from all over the world. I can tell you that some of the best and fresh country music comes from around the world. Glenn Williams and The Muddy Water Boys are a perfect example of that statement. Now being from England of course they speak English, but all over Europe from Holland, Sweden, Germany, and even Norway, I have found similar talent.

As I set here listening to the songs I found that this man and his band, might have more natural talent than I have seen since the Beatles. I have always loved a band and singers that are not locked into one type of song. I have been told by Mr. Glenn Williams that he had retired from the business of writing songs and performing. He was talking with one of the band members and discussing the fun they use to have and decided to try one more time to produce a CD that is called "Something Old, Something New". It has been decided to let the CD to be downloaded free.

Glenn Williams and The Muddy Water Boys could have sold these songs on the CD for a great deal of money, but the fact is that they have decided that they did for the pure love of the music. It is their farewell gift back to their fans that supported them through the years.

You will see a group that is having some great fun making some of the greatest music you will see from any group. You will also see that natural talent I mentioned earlier. The difference between a talent and a great talent is that a talent does it until they can produce a product, without making a mistake. A great talent does it repeatedly until they can only produce perfection.

Now let us review the CD, song by song:

"Better Think Twice" This song is a great honky tonk piano up-beat song with great harmony of the instruments and voices. This song will get your toes tapping.

"Corina, Corina" I first heard this song sung by Merle Haggard. I rather liked the song sung by Merle, but Glenn Williams and The Muddy Water Boys, have slowed it down and added harmony to the song. This one song will give you the greatness and fullness of Glenn Williams voice. The fiddle and guitar playing are awesome. It may be my favorite on the CD.

"Farside of the Street" This song is sung and played in the Mississippi Delta Blues style. I can imagine this song be played in New Orleans Club/Bar. The instrumentation blues riff makes the song.

"Forgive Me for Being a Fool" We have all heard the song "Sweet Low Sweet Chariot". Glenn Williams arranged this song and changed the words to make an old classic into another great song that could become more popular than the original. The banjo player did an excellent job. You will also love the harmony from the singers.

"Frankie & Albert" One of my favorite songs was the old classics "Frankie & Johnnie" sung by many people. We have the exact same song and story, but Johnnie is now Albert. The only person that has ever done this song better than this band is maybe Sam Cooke.

"Give My Boots a Shine" This is my second favorite song on the CD. The fiddle and guitar players make this song. It also features the awesome voice of Glenn Williams. This song should be played at every rodeo in the world.

"Last Time I Saw You" This is a true ballad. It could have been sung by any folk singer. Many could come up with the meaning of the song but I believe it to be a song in tribute to heroes of many wars. As I listened to it, I could almost feel as I was on a warship heading to Normandy during WWII, hoping that I was going to go home.

So that is a review of the songs that I have placed on Radio Louisiana. I know my audiences here in the United States are going to love the songs, which I have chosen.



Robert Partigianoni
Radio Louisiana
Leesville, Louisiana





The latest release by Glenn Williams & Friends takes us back to the 60's and those better days of true folk. Remember those icons, Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton, Woody Guthrie? If so, you'll revel in Corina Corina, a great traditional number that Bob Dylan (albeit one of many) resurrected.

Glenn's interpretation is without pretence and oozes true musicianship and reminded me of days of my youth.

Taking on another traditional number, Pretty Peggy O, Glenn shows us that folk is still a living thriving genre and no matter its age, it is just as fresh now.

Going one step further, Glenn, in conjunction with his Brother "David" as co-writer, have created a poignant song full of great emotion that we can all relate to.

"The last time I saw you" stands out on its own merit and shows that Glenn has the ability to squeeze every little bit out of any song he performs. .

Tony Bates
100.7 Highlands FM
Victoria Australia