I love these Basie/Williams albums. Mostly because for the rest of his life, Joe Williams spoke so highly of Count Basie. One of his early solo albums, he's quoted gloating about his work with Basie, then later performances, everywhere, always just gave huge thanks and credit to Count Basie. He never forgot his roots.
This album is in all actuality considered a solo LP for Williams. Joe Williams' popularity had reached it's peak. Williams' popularity was also instrumental to Basie's continued success. Basie's work on the album was a thank you to Williams for the years served as his band's singer.
Basie worked the arrangements with a smaller backing band than normal. You still get the huge sound expected from Basie's standard and title track, "Everyday I Have the Blues." However, after that, the album is laid back. The swing style of "Going to Chicago" is a vocal workout for Williams with your basic club group from Basie. The album flows like that for the most part, even a smoker like "Shake, Rattle and Roll" is toned down (but at a good clip, for sure). It's a jazz vocal album that finds Williams showing off and Basie adding flourishes that don't normally appear on similar albums.
Everyday I Have the Blues
