Gone

The fact that he wrote songs covered by the likes of Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, B.B. King, and Delbert McClinton, among others, is the only accurate information about Jerry Lynn Williams floating around the internet. Here is what I know. His first recording was with a band called High Mountain for Etcetera Records and it was called "Hoedown". High Mountain released a second album for Columbia Records and it was titled "Canyon". I know because I actually held it in my hands while browsing through a cutout bin long after I had given up vinyl. The same album was later re-released by Columbia and called "Down Home Boy" by Jerry Williams. His third album was called "Jerry Williams" on Spindizzy Records. It is possible that all three albums are the same, but I don't thinks so. Which brings me to this supposedly never officially released album for Warner Brothers called "Gone". I arrived in Fort Worth, Texas in January of 1980 and bought this album at the Sound Warehouse on West Berry Street that year. I sold all my vinyl in 1989, so I can't say for sure, but I don't believe it was a promo copy. I don't know what made me buy it. Maybe it was the unique cover art (done by Mr. Williams himself), probably the names of so many musicians I recognized, and the producer Chris Kimsey, but to this day I consider it one of the best buys I ever made. I don't recall how many times I played it that day, but I was astonished. Nothing could have prepared me for the music. It was funky; the lyrics were exceptionally good and the players are outstanding. Who better than Steve Cropper and Donald "Duck" Dunn to play on a cover of Otis Redding's "I've Got Dreams To Remember"? The first time I heard "Givin' It Up For Your Love" I was blown away. I love Delbert, but his hit single of this song doesn't compare to Jerry's original. The day after I sold all my vinyl, I started trying to find them all on CD. I waited 26 years for this, but it was more than worth it. You shouldn't wait so long.

GONE, but not forgotten...I keep wondering why this album remained hidden away...but Real Gone had the vision and tenacity to re-issue an album deserving in it's time, has again resurfaced, and I am incredibly appreciative of his talent that was a side note on hit songs by notable world music makers, even though he never quite got the solo respect he deserved, until now. He may have passed in 2005, but his talent lives on.

I wanted to like this album because I've become a fan of Jerry Williams. Unfortunately, this set of songs is very uneven in quality. Some songs are catchy, and some songs are downright forgettable as late seventies pop trash. I'd avoid this one unless you have to have everything there is, by the late and great Jerry Williams.

I read a glowing review of this CD reissue in a recent issue of MOJO magazine and decided it was worth taking a chance on buying, and of course hearing. Wow, it was that and more! All the raves are justified: this was a true hidden treasure of an album, now unearthed and rescued from oblivion and reissued for our listening pleasure.As noted in the other reviews, Jerry Williams was a very talented songwriter, one whose tunes were recorded by several famous artists. But as this 1979 album reveals, he was no slouch as a recording artist either. I keep trying to think of who his vocal style reminds me of, but nobody in particular strikes me as an accurate match (sorry, but it certainly isn't Stevie Wonder as one reviewer says). Jerry's musical style is a lively mix of rock and soul and country blues; a funky swampy musical stew that percolates with raw energy and good vibes. The songs are all originals except for a cover of Otis Redding's "I've Got Dreams To Remember" and a totally re-worked, virtually unrecognizable version of the Horace Silver classic "Song For My Father."The CD comes with a 12-page booklet that includes an essay that Bill Bentley wrote about Jerry Williams for the Austin Chronicle in 2006. The track listings also include a lineup of all the musicians who play on the songs. After being blown away by this outstanding album, my only hope is that perhaps some of the demos and unreleased recordings by Jerry Williams will also be issued in the near future. This man needs to be heard by any and all fans of quality rock and roll.

Finally! This classic LP is reissued. Coolest dude on the planet makes the hottest record of the late 70s. Sings as good as Stevie Wonder and writes songs people like Bonnie Raitt, Clapton, The Vaughn Bros, Ronnie Wood, Delbert, T-Birds, Bobby Womack and others cover. But nobody did his songs better than Jerry Lynn Williams. 35 years is a long time to wait for a treasure like this. Jerry didn't make it, but I'm glad I did.

Pulled from an actual release in 1979 under circumstances no one will now confirm, Jerry Williams' stellar album for Warner Bros. finally finds its way for the world to hear. By the man Eric Clapton described in his autobiography as someone who "looked like Jack Nicholson and sang like Stevie Wonder," these ten songs sound as mind-blowingly soulful as the day they were recorded 36 years ago. GONE is back, and not a moment too soon.

I agree with all of the previous 5 star reviews but my rating is based on the vinyl version (not a promo!) issued by WBR in 1979 as#BSK 3291.I have had it in my collection since that time.The label is the full color WBR label and nothing on the record or the packaging indicates that it is a promo.The inner sleeve has a picture of Jerry sitting on an Amp holding what looks like a Strat on one side and a song by song musicians list on the other side.None of this has much to do with the great music on this disc but I thought it might be of historical interest to the many Jerry Williams afficianadoes........BMW

Johnny Cash - Gone Girl 197801 - Gone Girl02 - I Will Rock And Roll With You03 - The Diplomat04 - No Expectations05 - It Comes And Goes06 - It'll Be Her07 - The Gambler08 - Cajun Born