Ernie Williams & The Wildcats - Sister

Album: Sister
Size: 118,4 MB
Time: 51:13
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1998
Styles: Blues
Art: Full

1. Can't Shake That Woman (5:46)
2. Can't Hear The Music (6:23)
3. Time To Move On (4:04)
4. Time For A Change (3:57)
5. Cold Hearted Demon (7:37)
6. Why Do I Do The Things I Do (5:55)
7. It's Late (4:54)
8. Mother's Church (5:13)
9. Sister (7:21)

Born in Virginia and raised in a plantation shack, Williams fell in love with the blues after hearing artists like Howlin' Wolf and Sonny Boy Williamson blasted out on 50,000-watt WLAC-AM out of Nashville, listening on a small, battery-powered radio. Williams started playing guitar at the age of 13, picking tobacco during the day and picking on his instrument at night. He began playing parties and Friday night fish fries as a teen, and at the age of 19 he took the $9 he'd spent a year saving and jumped a bus to New York City. Settling down in Harlem, the young blues guitarist made a name for himself during the 1950s, playing amateur nights at the famed Apollo Theater as well as clubs throughout the city, often performing seven nights a week.

In the early 1960s, Williams re-located to the Albany, New York area and set aside his music for a while to work a series of odd jobs to provide for his family. Williams would re-emerge during the 1970s, forming a new band and playing everywhere and anywhere that would have him. Williams would become a staple of the hardscrabble Albany blues scene, and through the years the guitarist and his various bands would open for such headliners as B.B. King and Aretha Franklin. During his lengthy career, Williams released six CDs, including 1998's acclaimed Sister, with his band the Wildcats, and 2004's Live At Revolution Hall album.

Williams was well-known for his generosity as well, often performing benefit shows and fundraisers for food banks and other non-profits. A charismatic and dynamic performer with deep roots in the blues, Williams never failed to entertain a crowd, and while he sojourned beyond his home region infrequently, playing festivals and even as far west as Buddy Guy's Legends club in Chicago, he always returned home.

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

Sister mc
Sister zippy

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Ernie Williams & The Wildcats - I Remember

Album: I Remember
Size: 119,1 MB
Time: 51:41
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1995
Styles: Blues
Art: Full

1. I Remember (4:46)
2. Love Is Over (6:21)
3. Granddaughter (6:38)
4. Little Bird (5:25)
5. We Fit Together (5:36)
6. Children In The Streets (10:09)
7. All I Need Is You (4:18)
8. Bad Luck And Trouble (8:25)

It's pretty rare these days for veteran bluesmen to be "discovered" after years of obscurity, but bassist and vocalist Ernie Williams proves that there may still be some truth in that cliche. Though he'd worked for years in neighborhood venues in New York City and Albany, Williams was unable to expand his reputation until 1993, when he assembled his rough-and-ready band the Wildcats (Williams's old street nickname had been Wildcat Quick Ernie Lash).

Led by guitarist Mark Emanatian, they began gigging in rock clubs throughout the Albany area, and they eventually recorded Sun Goin' Down on the homegrown Wildcat label. On that disc, along with the current I Remember, Williams demonstrates a refreshingly unforced versatility: he immerses himself in a spectrum of musical and emotional expression from wistful blues balladry to roadhouse rockers.

His lyrics are unusually personal, even poignant, and his Wildcats, though predictably rock influenced, take their cues from Williams and remain rooted in a tasteful blues groove. Williams's brand of workmanlike artistry is becoming increasingly rare in this age of flash and vapid flamboyance, but it's what the blues needs if it's to remain viable as an art form.

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

I Remember mc
I Remember zippy

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Ernie Williams & The Wildcats - Harvest Time

Size: 138,3 MB
Time: 60:00
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1997
Styles: Modern Electric Blues
Art: Full

01. Tell Me Baby What's Wrong With You (5:39)
02. You Spoiled Me (4:11)
03. Love Of Gold (6:01)
04. Harvest Time (3:54)
05. It's Over (8:03)
06. So Long (6:47)
07. Going Home (6:45)
08. Hambone (1:28)
09. My Time Has Come (4:56)
10. Evil In This World (5:12)
11. Searching For Salvation (6:59)

Personnel: Ernie Williams, vocals, bass guitar, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, body percussion; Mark Emanation, lead & acoustic and electric slide guitars; Rocky Petrocelli, drums; Jason Ladanye, piano, organ, harmonica.

Ernie played his first guitar in the 30's; he was 13 and living in a shack on a Virginia Plantation. He spent his days picking tobacco and his nights bending the blues on a beat up six-string. By the 40's, he earned the right to play with the local bluesmen at the Saturday night Fish Fries in Halifax County, Virginia. At the age of 19, he bought a one-way ticket to Harlem, NY with the $9.00 it took him a year to save - he was moving north to go after his dream.

In the 50's, he played as many as 7 nights a week. From amateur nights at the famed Apollo Theater to juke joints in the dark corners of the city, he was making his mark as a young showman. In the 60's, life demands brought him north to Albany, NY. He worked odd jobs day and night to support his family. His dream was put on hold.

In the 70's when the blues scene was waning, he formed a new band, playing gigs in local bars and hosting blues jams whenever he could slip away from his minimum wage jobs. Over the next two decades, he maintained his post as a fixture of Albany's blues community, a scene hidden away in the dingy rooms of the city's toughest neighborhoods.

In 1992, he formed yet another band and, 53 years after he played his first note, Ernie Williams was about to realize his dream.

Although the band members have changed through the years, Ernie has remained one of the most beloved performers in the region. From the House of Blues in Boston to Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago; from festivals to opening slots for major recording acts, Ernie has been a force to be reckoned with. Ernie and his band represented the East Coast in KLON's National Blues Talent Search and walked away with a prize for first runner up; on two occasions they received a Critic's Choice column in the "Chicago Reader". To date, Ernie has released six CD's.

In addition to his musical performances, Ernie's charisma has landed him both magazine and TV spots. He was selected by Canon for their ad campaign for their new line of copiers called "Canon Blues". He also appeared on a TV commercial for "Grapes and Grains", a Capital District upscale wine establishment.

At 80+ years young, Ernie continues to say "this is just the beginning". Knowing his spirit and motivation, that's entirely possible!

Thanks to Marc.
Harvest Time

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