Glenn Williams & Paul Hewson

ALL THE ROADS I WALK (Lazyswede Productions)

****1/2

Paying respect and tribute to well-known and legendary songs

Residing in Hull, the wonderful talent of these two fellas are served very well here in an album that should receive airplay from national stations due to how good it is.

Roy Acuff would sure be proud of the version of Great Speckled Bird included here. Although countless other bands and singers have covered this song, I regard his to be the best. Glenn and Paul certainly try their hardest to upstage my preferred version, and they do it rather well.

Jesse James has the added bonus of not just being a bluegrass but also a Cajun track as well. Gently played but wonderfully executed, this is a perfect tune in honour of the "great" outlaw.

I don't know how they do it, but once again a delightful bluegrass tune "Katie Dear" is featured. A slow-paced bluegrass song is created right before your very ears and how delightful it is.

Glenn and Paul should give themselves a huge pat on their backs for this. I thought such awesome bluegrass and country albums only came along once in a while, but here nine songs of such sublime beauty are present which can move you to tears.

"A Triumph of an Album".

Written By Russell Hill.
Courtesy Of "Maverick" Magazine England.(February 2010)
The Voice of Country-Folk-Bluegrass & Roots Music.
www.maverick-country.com





Glenn Williams & Paul Hewson

All The Roads I Walk (Lazyswede Productions)

Hull based Glenn Williams is probably Britain's foremost preserver of traditional country sounds.

I have previously reviewed a couple of his albums, the last, almost exactly a year ago.

The new release, "All The Roads I Walk" (Lazyswede Productions) has Glenn accompanied by Paul Hewson on a bunch of traditional and original songs that will warm the heart of both old-time and mainstream country fans.

The duo play all the instruments, guitar, banjo, bass, drums, Violin, Accordion & Korg Keyboard between them with Glenn taking lead vocals.

Of the nine tracks I was particularly drawn to number one, "The Great Speckled Bird", Williams' vocal is just right for this one, and a re-working of the Blue Sky Boys’ signature "Are You From Dixie" which becomes "Are You From Hull Now" (thanks for mentioning Sheffield Glenn!).

Williams' own compositions, "Farside Of The Street", "Little Home Upon The Hill" and "Working On The River" (featuring the fiddle of John Smith) fit beautifully with the traditional theme.

Completing the programme are excellent versions of "Jesse James", "Katie Dear", "Frankie And Albert" and "Little White Washed Chimney".

My undying gratitude to Glenn and Paul for reminding us of how country should sound.

www.lazyswede.co.uk

The Advertiser ( December 2009.)

Written By Pete Smith.








Glenn Williams and The Ullbillies
Winds Of Time
LazySwede Productions
****

Another fine collection of original songs from one of the best singer songwriters on the UK country roots scene.

His latest release WINDS OF TIME highlights his song writing credentials with ten new tracks making their first appearance. Again ably assisted by his regular band The Ullbillies that comprise guitarist/percussionist/keys Paul Hewson, John Smith on violin and mandolin and not forgetting Alan Raw a multi instrumentalist that takes care of accordion, flute, tin whistle and washboard.

The album opens with "This Old Heartache" a song with shades of that great band Ronnie Lane’s Slim Chance, the song rocks and rolls along seamlessly with a theme of love and longing. Title track "Winds Of Time" is a real standout, highlighting Glenn's vocal delivery, which has to be said is very good indeed and musically the picking is perfect.

Glenn's song writing and delivery is very similar to Bob Cheevers and is up there with the best of the US singer songwriters.

The album has a very "back porch" feel shown perfectly on "One Step At A Time"; you can almost smell the coffee wafting in on the breeze.

Paul Hewson is a fine guitarist and on "Strangers Like Me" he shines with just the correct amount of electric lead to highlight this sad lament.

The pace slows down further with the sparse love lament of “Helen” and with "Think On It", a convicts tale of loss and regret we hear just what a good songwriter Glenn Williams is, great lyrics.

The pace picks up again with "Take Away These Chains", this is one of those songs that you think that you've heard before, organ led, this fast paced gospel rocker gets those feet a tapping, very radio friendly.

Final track "I'm A Simple Man" is a typical country ballad of love and life and is a fitting end to a fine album that goes to show that the UK can produce a singer and songwriter that has both credibility, good vocal delivery and has a great live band to boot. The track features some superb picking and Glenn's signature vocal makes you want to hit the repeat button as soon as it has finished.

www.lazyswede.co.uk

Written By Jim Soars.

Courtesy Of Maverick Country Music Magazine.(May 2009 Edition)

www.maverick-country.com