Claude Williams, born in 1908, was only
recently rediscovered as one of the very few remaining original
masters of jazz violin. After being away from full time performing
for over thirty years he was invited in 1987 to perform with the
"Masters of the Folk Violin Tour," sponsored by the
National Council for the Traditional Arts. This cassette, recorded
after the tour, shows off his improvisational skills on a number
of swing classics such as "Take the "A" Train,"
and "Cherokee" along with some fiddle blues, and a cover
of "Over the Rainbow." John Stewart provides strong
yet understated rhythmic support on guitar, in a way which highlights
the creative playing of Williams. This recording is a must for
the swing fiddle collector or player. Listeners who are unaccustomed
to improvisational music and jazz may ask, "where's the melody?",
but can rest assured that Williams states it at least once in
every cut.
Ryan Thomson