running on faith
Writing a song is to stir the emotions, and if you touch one soul you touch the whole universe. - Jerry Lynn Williams
Eric Clapton, Running on Faith
As I try to let one musical interest lead to others, I’ve noticed that I’m often completely unaware of who is writing what I’m hearing. Who is the mind behind the message? I’m connecting the singers, but not always the songs. All writers often work behind a veil so that we only know their words when they speak through someone else’s voice.
But you wouldn’t think this would be a problem for a flamboyant, 6′6” guy who was known, on occasion, to wear a cape.
Jerry Lynn Williams was apparently not afraid of the spotlight: at 14 he left school to form a band and by 16 was playing for Little Richard (alongside Jimi Hendrix). But now, he’s best known, when he’s known at all, for the songs he’s written for others, and it’s quite a list of others: Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Delbert McClinton, Ringo Starr, Jonny Lang, Roy Orbison, to name a few. The Lone Ranger, by Bill Bentley, for the Austin Chronicle is a good start on seeing this career arc.
Two years ago today, Nov. 25, 2005, Williams died on the Caribbean island of St. Marten. He was 57. Here’s a few more examples of his music:
Delbert McClinton, Givin’ It Up for Your Love
Jonny Lang, Right Back
Of course, among Taylor Hicks fans, one of Williams’ best known songs is Forever Man, from Clapton’s Unplugged album. It seems the appropriate one to put here today is the one I first heard, the one that was taped two years ago today, November 25, 2005. The day Williams died.
Taylor Hicks, Forever Man, Workplay, Birmingham
There’s no video of that show, that I know of, but here’s a fan shot of his last performance of this song - we’ve put up good audio of this earlier.
categories: music
tags: Delbert McClinton, Eric Clapton, Forever Man, Jerry Lynn Williams, Jonny Lang
posted by what at 03:00 am
It’s cool that the band that Taylor last sang Forever Man with in Pearl River was almost the same band that he played it with in 2005.
Thanks for the videos of Clapton and McClinton. That Delbert McClinton video looks like it is from Austin City Limits. I almost bought that DVD yesterday and after watching that video I’m going back to get it.
I’ve always be in awe of people that can write good songs and music.
Thanks, as always for the links. It’s fun to come here and see what jewels you have for us.
On song writing, you hear about a song having a “hook” or a story, but I really like a song with a strong, identifiable melody. Let’s face it, most people get the words to the songs wrong anyway, but they’ll always remember a good melody. A song without a strong melody risks getting lost in the background after the first 2 drinks. Give me a song with a good melody and I can’t help singing along whether I know the words or not. Life is good.
I guess I should dive into finding more songs that he has written. I love all the songs that you have videos for above. I love Clapton Unplugged. I have all 3 Jonny Lang cd’s, the 1st being his best in my opinion. What more to say about Delbert, I saw this song live at an outdoor concert at a park here in KC several years ago. Great music listed here!!
Great selections.
I agree Trixi. Jonny Lang’s best CD was his first one.