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Thread: Don Williams

  1. #1

    Default Don Williams

    This song came up on shuffle today. The mandolin sounds really jumped out and made me smile.


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  3. #2
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    Default Re: Don Williams


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  5. #3

    Default Re: Don Williams

    My dad accidentally got a custom van in the 1970s when a friend defaulted on a loan. It had a stereo cassette player and big, extra speakers. He had two tapes both were Don Williams. I was surprised Mr. Williams did not get a mention in the Ken Burns Country Music documentary.

    P.S. Thanks for thr live vresion. Great mandolin content!
    Last edited by MrMoe; Jul-27-2021 at 7:03am. Reason: ps

  6. #4
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Don Williams

    I've been a fan since his folkie days. His songs never seem over produced and that mandolin is just pleasant.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Don Williams

    Ah yes, "The Gentle Giant." Not sure if he's one of the all-time greats, but just about every single was a good song, well-done. His music's easygoing style was so pleasant to hear, yet may have worked against him as far as elevating his status is concerned. I'll never understand why he suddenly, quietly, disappeared from radio. It's a shame; he deserved better.

    I'm not sure, but I may have discovered him through Eric Clapton's cover of "Tulsa Time." I dug deeper into his previous songs and followed him into the future, and also was surprised to learn he had been a member of The Pozo Seco Singers, who had had a medium hit with "Time" back in 1965. Something about him struck a chord within me. Indeed, my user title comes from one of his songs, "Love Is On A Roll": "I'm a songwriter, a professional dreamer." Ever since first hearing that, I've thought that sums it up succinctly.
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

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    Default Re: Don Williams

    I, too, have enjoyed Don Williams' sound and style most of my life. And, I never get tired of hearing this particular song - especially with mandolin accompaniment.
    "If your memories exceed your dreams, you have begun to die." - Anonymous

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    Registered User Scotter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Don Williams

    "I can still hear the soft southern winds in the live oak trees.
    And those Williams boys they still mean a lot to me; Hank and Tennessee.
    I guess we're all gonna be what we're gonna be.
    So what do you do with good ole boys like me?

    Play that which you feel is groovy, get down with your bad self, and shake your money maker if it makes sense for you to do so.

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    Registered User Kevin Stueve's Avatar
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    Default Re: Don Williams

    When asked to give a toast at my daughter's wedding the gentle giant came to mind and I built a toast around

    You're my bread when I'm hungry
    You're my shelter from troubled winds
    You're my anchor in life's ocean
    But most of all you're my best friend
    2012 Weber Bitterroot F5.

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  16. #9

    Default Re: Don Williams

    I will not forget when my dad (The Preacher) told me that Eric Clapton admired Don Williams. And NO we can not listen to my one tape (The Allman Brothers) on the long ride home.




    .

  17. #10
    Registered User Bob Buckingham's Avatar
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    Default Re: Don Williams

    Nice oval hole sound on that mandolin. Don's music was always a bit of sanity in a crazy world.

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    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Don Williams

    Don Williams version of J.J. Cale’s “Tulsa Time” was the earlier version I heard way before I heard Clapton’s. A very good friend turned me on to Don Williams when I helped her and her husband move. I’ll never forget that day!
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

  20. #12
    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Don Williams

    'Scuse me, pardner, but "Tulsa Time" is not a J.J. Cale song. It was written by Danny Flowers. Don Williams recorded it, had a decent hit with it, then it was covered by Eric Clapton. I believe you are confusing this with other songs Clapton covered, "After Midnight" and "Cocaine," which were indeed written by J.J. Cale. Better bring your "Best of Clapton" album with you to the corner to help pass the time.
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

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  21. #13
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Don Williams

    Damn! Don’t hold back there Hoss! I guess I made a mistake, Gee!
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

  22. #14
    Registered User Russ Jordan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Don Williams



    This looks like Danny Flowers on mandolin.
    Russ Jordan

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    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Don Williams

    Quote Originally Posted by Timbofood View Post
    Damn! Don’t hold back there Hoss! I guess I made a mistake, Gee!
    See? I knew you'd take it in the spirit of fun with which 'twas intended.

    Oh Lord! I hope this day is good.
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

    Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!

  24. #16
    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Don Williams

    Seems Danny Flowers played guitar in Don Williams' band, and might well have switched off on mandolin now and then - like here.

    Here's an article that goes into a bit of history on the song, and some other things.

    From said article, a photo of Don and Danny on tour in the UK in 1976 with some people y'all oughta know. I'll forgive those who don't recognize Ronnie Lane from Small Faces. Maybe.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Don Williams with British Rock Royalty.jpeg 
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    And here's a song from the Townshend/Lane collaboration "Rough Mix," released that year, co-written by Williams.

    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

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    Default Re: Don Williams

    And in the interest of symmetry, here's a great Ronnie Lane song with some nice mandolin:

    "The paths of experimentation twist and turn through mountains of miscalculations, and often lose themselves in error and darkness!"
    --Leslie Daniel, "The Brain That Wouldn't Die."

    Some tunes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa1...SV2qtug/videos

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  28. #18

    Default Re: Don Williams

    Our son is a rocker who took off with his band at 16. A few years later he was ready to give mom and dad a try again and I went to help him fix an apartment. We listened to my iPod while we worked. Don Williams came on and he was no help for the rest of the day. He listened to all of Don's songs and asked me to work quietly. He discovered Linda Ronstadt that way too.

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  30. #19
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Don Williams

    Quote Originally Posted by journeybear View Post
    See? I knew you'd take it in the spirit of fun with which 'twas intended.

    Oh Lord! I hope this day is good.
    I felt that this morning!and in the grocery store I started whistling that tune!
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

  31. #20
    Registered User MartieChick09's Avatar
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    Default Re: Don Williams

    I've loved Don Williams since I was little, and my dad has always been a big fan of his. Fun fact, when my aunt got married about 10-15 years ago now, she said her husband wrote the song "Listen to the Radio" and my dad and I were like yeah right. So we go grab the CD and sure enough he did! He and my aunt even played it for Christmas with us one year on my guitar! So that's pretty cool!

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  33. #21
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    Default Re: Don Williams

    Well, now! That is just the best story I've seen around here in a while!
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

    Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!

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  35. #22

    Default Re: Don Williams

    I sing along with this one if no one is around. I have my own version for the lyric in the the last stanza.


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