Joe Williams' debut as the featured vocalist in
Count Basie's band was one of those landmark moments that even savvy observers don't fully appreciate when it occurs, then realize years later how momentous an event they witnessed.
Williams brought a different presence to the great
Basie orchestra than the one
Jimmy Rushing provided; he couldn't shout like
Rushing, but he was more effective on romantic and sentimental material, while he was almost as spectacular on surging blues, up-tempo wailers, and stomping standards.
Basie's band maintained an incredible groove behind
Williams, who moved from authoritative statements on "Every Day I Have the Blues" and "Please Send Me Someone to Love" to brisk workouts on "Roll 'Em Pete" and his definitive hit, "All Right, OK, You Win." ~ Ron Wynn