Big Joe Williams
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Big Joe Williams on cover of Arhoolie CD 415 |
Big Joe Williams (born Joseph Lee Williams,
October 16,
1903 -
December 17,
1982) was an
American blues musician and
songwriter, known for his characteristic style of
guitar-playing, his nine-string guitar, and his bizarre, cantankerous personality.
Born in
Crawford,
Mississippi, Williams performed frequently, wandering across the
United States busking and playing stores, bars, alleys and work camps, as well as recording for
Okeh,
Bluebird Records,
Delmark Records,
Prestige Records and
Vocalion.
Big Joe's guitar playing is decidedly in the
Delta Blues style, and yet is unique. He played driving rhythm and virtuosic lead lines simultaneously, and sang over it all. He played with picks both on his thumb and index finger, plus his guitar was very heavily modified.
Williams added a rudimentary electric
pick-up, whose wires coiled all over the top of his guitar. He also added three extra strings, creating unison pairs for the first and second courses and an octave pair for the fourth course.
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Illustrated Big Joe Williams discography
