MP3 Mark Williams - Winter Night Suite
Jazz Guitar, Vocals, Small Combo/Swing and Ballads
11 MP3 Songs in this album (58:12) !
Related styles: JAZZ: Jazz Vocals, EASY LISTENING: Ballads
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Details:
This digitally re-mastered and expanded edition contains the complete 1993 recording of WINTER NIGHT - A SUITE FOR TWO GUITARS, and four additional tracks. WINTER NIGHT SUITE was written and performed by Mark Williams, with guest performances by vocalists Meg Murphy and Cornell Wiley. New to this CD are alternate, small combo versions of "The Diamonds In The Sky Are Stars", "Neighborhood Stray" and What Do I Care?", as well as an orchestral arrangement of "When Night Falls".
TOTAL TIME: 58:12
INCLUDES FULLY PAINTED EIGHT PAGE BOOKLET BY AMANDA HOWLETT
Mark Williams has been called "a fine performer and a talented arranger" (Andy MacKenzie, JUST JAZZ GUITAR) who "posesses a sublte approach" (Don Price, JAZZ IMPROV) and "exceptional musical talent'' (Fritz the Night Owl, JAZZ NOTES).
Cornell Wiley was the founder and lead singer of the Dozier Boys, one of the most popular and beloved Doo Wop groups of all time. The Dozier Boys were unique in that they provided their own exceptional musical accompaniment in addition to singing four and five part harmonies. Cornell was also a widely respected teacher of bass guitar and music theory on the university level, and was Director of the Jazz City Workshop. He excelled as a performer in all musical genres. His passing in 2004 has left a void in the lives of his audiences and students that can''t be filled. This CD reissue is dedicated to his memory.
Keyboardist Caleb Hutslar is regarded as one of the most accomplished contemporary musicians in the field of modern jazz. In addition to his solo recordings, he performs and records with the acclaimed jazz fusion group CHARGED PARTICLES.
Bassist/recording engineer David Irwin and percussionist Rick Soriano have performed together professionally for over twenty years. They are are one of the most sought-after rhythm sections in Central Ohio.
Also available on CD BABY by Mark Williams:
HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE (https://www.tradebit.com Seven-string guitar arrangements of tunes by the Beatles, Leon Russell, Wes Montgomery and others.
The following article was written by Fritz the Night Owl, and published 02 August 1993 in his syndicated column JAZZ NOTES.
NIGHT ECHOES IN WILLIAMS'' WORK
There''s more good jazz being recorded and released in Columbus these days than in most cities twice its size. The latest entry is a superb, late night, romantic recording by guitarist Mark Williams: Winter Night - A Suite For Two Guitars.
It features seven of his original compositions dealing with love and relationships - the way they are, as opposed to the way we wish they were. Each track reflects various stages in the love relationship and expresses the differences between the idealized world and real world. Moving, thought-provoking, mood-inducing music - played superbly, with a gentle swing throughout
The opener, "Neighborhood Stray" features the liquid-clear voice of the incomparable Meg Murphy. Meg sings to her man about how one can get out of touch with the part of them that loves - and losing the ability to love. It is poignant and beautiful, with Meg''s voice a marvelous complement to Mark''s overdubbed solo guitar work.
"All The Way Into Moonlight" is a happy, up-tempo number, while "The Diamonds In The Sky Are Stars" is an intriguing counterpoint to the old adage that diamonds are a girl''s best friend.
"When Night Falls", the longest work of the suite, is a gorgeous ballad with a subtly swinging solo that maintains its interest and musicality throughout. "Partial Eclipse Of The Heart" is a slow blues for those who haven''t spent a lot of time in relationships, but who realize one can feel better alone than in the company of the wrong person.
"What Do I Care" features vocalist Cornell Wiley over two guitar parts. The lyrics are wry but optimistic. Cornell gives them his best soulful rendition as Mark''s fluid and bluesy interjections amplify the sentiments.
Winter Night is perfect for those Garbo-esque moments in your life when you ''vahnt to be alone!''
Mark Williams is another example of the exceptional musical talent living and working in our area: talent that we should recognize and promote, thus enriching all of our lives.
Williams'' interest in jazz was inspired while still in high school when he overheard his older brother''s collection of John Coltrane. "It opened my ears to the great potential for personal expression," he said. "I''m an emotional player. I have to feel the same emotion as the music and lyrics in order to perform it honestly and believably." In other words, the Actor''s Method applied to musical performance.
His guitar influences include jazzmen George Van Epps and Johnny Smith for their flawless playing, clear ideas and expression - and Segovia, for his mastery of the instrument as applied to the classics.
He studied formally at the renowned Jazz City Workshop with such talented musicians as Bobby Alston, John Ulrich, Cornell Wiley and guitar-master Don Hales. He ultimately became a member of the faculty. He had a long running gig with Meg Murphy at the Top Of The Center and worked with pianist Duke Burrell in Los Angeles.
He plays with picks and fingers - or fingers alone, which allows him to use the full range of the instrument. "The picks are great for those fast, single-line runs - while the finges are a more pianistic approach - allowing me to play more than one part. With fingers, I can do the bass-line, chords, melody simultaneously," he explained.
While he enjoys the interplay, inspiration and ideas of the group setting, he prefers to work solo. "It''s more challenging - you have to keep everything going yourself - you can''t stop or lay back and let someone else carry on. It''s scary - but it keeps you sharp!"