Alison Joy Williams
"Love All Of Me"
By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © July 2011

OK, so you probably haven't heard of Alison Joy Williams just yet and that shouldn't worry her a bit. Ya see, with a voice like this, and the talent she has for writing songs that's all going to change soon. She knows it, I know it and you're about to know it.

"Love All Of Me" is her second release and except for "House Of the Rising Sun" on the previously released "Blonde Hair Blues", all of her recorded music is original. On this project, Alison Joy Williams, on vocals, is joined by: Gene Rabbai on keys; Bob Hatter on electric guitars; Ralph "Rocko" Friedrichson on bass; William Ellis on drums; Donnie Skaggs and Scott Neubert on acoustic guitar; Max Abrahams on sax; Daniel "Goose" Gossett on vocals; and Debra Thomas and Diana Kelly on backing vocals.

Had I thought of this line first - I don't get the blues, but the "Blues Sure Get Me", I'd be using it as my slogan. It's a cool and truthful statement. Most of us blues fans really don't get the blues but yet the blues sure has got a hold on us. Well written and well sung by Alison, great rhythm from Ralph and William and real good work out of Max on his only appearance on the sax.

I'm a sucker for a soft, beautiful, love song and this one's just that. After reading the disc's liner notes, I know this one is being sung to Dennis...who's gotta be one lucky guy. As she sultrily describes the perfume she's put on, the outfit she's picked out and the way she's done her hair - all in preparation for her time with him - she knows he's going to love it. After all, as Alison says...."I Know Him". With all due respect to the fine job the band's doing behind her, this one's all Alison. She even had me lusting for a look.

The title track, "Love All Of Me", has all the sounds of a pop hit. Had this been performed by The Teardrops back in the sixties it'd be a sure "chart topper". It features more great lead vocals along with superb harmony from the back up singers and excellent slide guitar by Bob.

Although singing her original style of Blues is what she loves doing the most, Alison prides herself as a cross genre writer and her country roots are evident on several tracks - one of which is "Let's Go To Bed". This emotionally sung ballad is a duet between it's co-writers - Alison and Daniel and features soft, soothing guitar work.

The fusion of the acoustic and electric guitars by Donnie and Bob is as superior as the keyboard work by Gene on "It's All About Me". Along with outstanding vocal harmony between all the ladies, this one's another winner. As soon as you get the chorus line down pat I'm sure you'll be singing aloud...... "It's Allllll aaaaaabout meeee".

A perfect blend of a Country/Gospel/Blues style song titled "I Only Cry On Sundays" is easily the discs best track. Along with good support from Diana, the songs co-writer, Alison belts it out of the park on this one. If I had one bit of advice for her it would be more and longer versions of this kind of stuff. She's got the chops and I want to hear 'em. This is powerful, commanding singing at it's best.

Other tracks on "Love All Of Me" include: "Does That Make You Happy?", "I Don't Feel", "Hey Mister", and "Wishing".

Along with the music, the lyrics and the singing, another thing that impressed me about this disc was the thank you's in the liner notes. Most of them read like one long, annoying run on sentence but Alison did it with the clever style of a song writer. Good job gal.

As usual, I'm now going to direct you directly to Alison at www.alisonjoywilliams.com and I'm going to ask that when you contact her please tell her the Blewzzman sent ya.