Turkey in the Straw by Glenn Williams and the Ullbillies (Lazyswede Productions) By Jim Soars, as featured in the February 2008 edition of Maverick Magazine www.maverick-country.com

A pleasant collection of both original and traditional country/folk songs, brought to us from the wilds of downtown Hull Glenn Williams is one of the few British artistes that can revive classic country and folk songs and give them a facelift without compromising the music's heritage, and this is shown perfectly on his interpretation of classic songs such as Turkey In The Straw and Wreck Of The Old '97. His songs are delivered acoustically; almost in a bluegrass style but also displaying that quintessential British folk feel.

His backing band The Ullbillies are all accomplished musicians comprising of John Smith on banjo-fiddle-Bones, Alan Raw on accordion-Washboard-Flute, Mick Morton on guitar and Paul Hewson on bass. Glenn handles lead vocal, guitar and mandolin duties and has that typical British vocal delivery that sounds clear and rounded, in fact very easy to listen to, being both warm and inviting.

Of the twelve featured tracks four are original compositions by Glenn, the rest are his interpretation of old traditional folk and country songs.

Of the originals Doing What I Ought To is one of my favourites, the track opens with a lovely ragtime guitar intro and then the harmony vocals of Glenn and Mick Morton come in and are first rate, all making for a great little tune. Winds Of Time another song written by Glenn is equally as good, this is one of those songs that stays in your head, a song that could easily be recorded by a higher profile singer from either side of the pond. Glenn's versions of the traditional songs are performed to a pretty high standard. His take on classic songs such as Crawdad Song and Corina Corina are excellent and just go to show that not all British country music is based on playing the same pop country covers over and over again.

This is a good album, that is pleasant to listen to and features excellent musicians and in Glenn Williams we have a good country singer-songwriter who should definitely concentrate on recording more of his own material in the future.

By Jim Soars, as featured in the February 2008 edition of Maverick Magazine www.maverick-country.com

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