Don Williams Volume One

Don Williams Volume One[1] is the first LP album by American country singer Don Williams.[2] Released in 1973 on the JMI Records label, the album reached number five on the US Country Albums Chart. It was re-issued in 1974 on the ABC DOT label and subsequently in 1980 on the MCA label. "The Shelter of Your Eyes" and "Come Early Morning" were released as singles in 1973.[3]

Don Williams Volume One
Studio album by
Don Williams
ReleasedJune 1973
GenreCountry
LabelJMI Records
ProducerAllen Reynolds
Don Williams chronology
Don Williams Volume One
(1973)		 Don Williams Volume Two
(1974)
Singles from Don Williams Volume One
  1. "The Shelter of Your Eyes"
    Released: 1973
  2. "Come Early Morning"
    Released: 1973

Background

From 1964-1971, Don Williams formed and played with the band the Pozo Seco Singers.[4] In 1966, the band signed with Columbia Records, due to the strength of their first single, "Time".[5] Williams left the band in 1971, and moved to Nashville, where he met producer and writer, Allen Reynolds, who introduced Williams to country singer and businessman Jack Clement, who had just founded JMI Records. Williams was soon signed to JMI records, and Reynolds would go on to produce and write on Williams' next two albums.[6]

Initially a songwriters demo was recorded to sell Williams' songs to other artists. However, when there wasn't a strong initial response, it was decided to record and release a full length album.[7]

Content

At the time the album was released, the Nashville sound featured more elaborate orchestral arrangements; however Don Williams Volume One caught on.[8]

In addition to producing the album, Reynolds contributed the song "I Recall a Gypsy Woman" written along with Bob McDill and Williams. While not initially released as a single in 1973, the song would be released as the B-side from the Don Williams Volume Two album single "Atta Way Go", and as a single in the UK in 1976, where it become a minor hit.

Bob McDill[9] had a hand in writing three of the album's songs, including the final song on the album, "Amanda", which was also included as the B-side on his No. 12 hit "Come Early Morning." Williams' version reached No. 33 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.[10]

When Williams died in 2017, his version of "Amanda" was singled out in his Rolling Stone obituary:

“In giving voice to songs like ‘Good Ole Boys Like Me,’ ‘Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good’ and ‘Amanda,’ Don Williams offered calm, beauty, and a sense of wistful peace that is in short supply these days,” Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young said in a statement Friday. “His music will forever be a balm in troublesome times. Everyone who makes country music with grace, intelligence, and ageless intent will do so while standing on the shoulders of this gentle giant.”[11]

The masters for both "Come Early Morning" and "Amanda," along with Williams' other recordings for JMI Records, were sold to ABC-Dot Records in 1974.[12]

Track listing

From the original vinyl:[1]

Side A

  1. "Come Early Morning" (Bob McDill, Gold Dust Music, Inc., BMI) - 3:08
  2. "Too Late To Turn Back Now" (Don Williams/Allen Reynolds, Jack Music, Inc., BMI) - 2:03
  3. "Endless Sleep" (Jody Reynolds/Dolores Nance, John Stone Monti, Inc., BMI) - 2:11
  4. "The Shelter of Your Eyes" (Williams, Jack Music, Inc., BMI) - 2:58
  5. "I Recall a Gypsy Woman" (Allen Reynolds, McDill, Jack Music, Inc., BMI) - 3:20

Side B

  1. "No Use Running" - 2:38
  2. "How Much Time Does It Take" (Williams, Jack Music, Inc., BMI) - 2:32
  3. "My Woman's Love" (Williams, Jack Music, Inc., BMI) - 3:13
  4. "Don't You Believe" (Williams, Jack Music, Inc., BMI) - 2:39
  5. "Amanda" (McDill, Gold Dust Music, Inc., BMI) - 3:08

Musicians

From the album liner notes:[1]

Production
  • Produced by Allen Reynolds
  • Violin Arrangements by Chuck Cochran
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References
  1. "Don Williams Discography". Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  2. "Don Williams". Allmusic. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  3. "Don Williams Singles". Wikipedia. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  4. "The Pozo Seco Singers". Allmusic. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  5. "Pozo Seco Singer Discography". Allmusic. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  6. Carlin, Richard (2014). Country Music: A Biographical Dictionary. Routledge. pp. see URL. ISBN 9781135361044.
  7. Kingsbury, Paul (2012). The Encyclopedia of Country Music. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. see URL. ISBN 978-0-19-517608-7.
  8. Stambler, Irwin (1997). Country Music: The Encyclopedia. New York, NY: St. Martin's Griffin. p. 539. ISBN 0312151217.
  9. "Bob McDill". Allmusic. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  10. "Don Williams Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  11. Betts, Stephen L. (September 8, 2017). "Don Williams, Country's 'Gentle Giant,' Dead at 78". Rolling Stone.
  12. Stambler and Landon, Irwin and Grelun (1997). Country Music: The Encyclopedia. New York, NY: St. Martin's Griffin. pp. 539. ISBN 0312151217.
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