Rating:
Genre:
Vocal Music
Release Date: 05/27/2003
Run Time: 77:17
The pioneering African-American performer
Bert Williams was best-known for his humorous and philosophical monologues during various editions of
the Ziegfeld Follies. He was also a decent singer (particularly in his early days), and the first solo, non-religious, African-American artist to be recorded.
Archeophone has been releasing
Williams' formerly rare recordings, complete and in chronological order. On the second of three CDs,
Bert WIlliams: The Middle Years, 1910-1918,
Williams is heard at his peak, performing such classics as
"You Can't Do Nothing Till Martin Gets Here," "Woodman, Spare That Tree," "Nobody" (his greatest hit), his tribute to ragtime,
"You Can't Get Away From It," and
"O Death, Where Is Thy Sting?" Some of the songs are monologues, while others have
Williams singing and talking while backed by an orchestra. The liner notes (which include a long piece about comedy written by
Williams) are unbeatable, and many of the performances are classics. This is a perfectly done reissue.
~Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
;)
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