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Let Us Cross Over the River ] My Rocky River Home ] Living On the Hallelujah Side ]
The Sound of the American Mandolin (Video)  ] Across the Grain ] All for Naught ] Mandolin 2000 (book and CD)
Low country band

One Night In Savannah:  (left to right) Vassar Clements, Tony Rice, Carroll Clements, Tony Williamson, Warren Amberson and (kneeling) Scott Vestal gathered for a sizzling hot jam session.  The recording of this all star Bluegrass jam session  is now available.  Sadly this was Vassar's last public performance.  Tracks include:  Groundspeed; Mountain Girl; Kissimee Kid; Billy In the Low Ground; Dark Hollow; Salt Creek; Toy Heart; I Wonder Where You Are Tonight; Unwound; Lonesome Fiddle Blues; Wayfaring Stranger; Wheel Hoss. 
                    Vassar Clements, Tony Rice and the Low Country All Star Band.  Flatt Mountain Records FMR001.


 Sessions At McBane Mill.  Tony Williamson has assembled his dream band for a sizzling hot jam session at ancient McBane Mill.  Producer and audiophile genius Brent Lambert has captured every nuance of the rich tones of Tony's mandolin, Jeff Autry's guitar, Robbie Link's bass and Rex McGee's banjo and fiddle.  Touching every base from Charlie Parker and John Coltrane to traditional Appalachian tones, this quartet has forged an exciting sound for the new generation of acoustic music lovers.  Kudos to Bonfire records for releasing this awsome new instrumental recording!

CD  $15

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Still Light of the Evening
Tony Williamson & the Williamson Brothers Band 
  The Chicago Tribune picks
" Still Light Of the Evening"
among of the top five 2001 Albums of the Year!

Download the MP3 Mountain Girl

Tony Williamson, mandolin and vocals 
Gary Williamson, guitar and vocals 
Larry Perkins, banjo and guitar 
Don Wright, banjo and guitar 
Rex McGee, fiddle 
Tom Gray, bass		 Click on linked text to hear RealAudio Clip
1. Boatman 
2. Mountain Girl
3. Still Light Of The Evening 
4. City On The Hill 
5. White Angels In The Clouds 
6. Back Up and Push
7. I've Always Been A Rambler 
8. Hard Luck Shuffle 
9. Out In The Cold World 
10. I Could Melt A Mountain Top 
11. Temperance Reel 
12. Maple On The Hill 
13. Rovin' Gambler 
14. Angeline The Baker 
15. Jacob's Vision 

 
 Now you've up and done it -- a killer project of absolutely wonderful old-timers and old-timey flavored tunes done just the way they ought to be done -- with soaring harmonies as only brothers can sing and just the right instrumentation.  This music really harkens back to those halcyon days of yore when life was simpler and the music was infused with  heartfelt sentimentality and passion.  I thoroughly enjoyed every cut -- if I had to pick favorites I'd probably go with the title track, "White Angels In the Clouds," "If I Could Melt A Mountain Top," "Boatman," "City On the Hill" and "Angeline the Baker."  This is a fabulous recording that should please old timey enthusiasts, ultra-traditional bluegrassers and ... well.... everybody!  Congratulations! 

Dave Higgs 
Bluegrass Breakdown

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Let Us Cross 

Over the River


 
 

Tony and Gary Williamson

Featuring Aubrey Haynie on fiddle, Craig Smith on banjo, Rob Ickes on dobro, and Dale Perry on bass

Produced by Tim Austin and Tony & Gary Williamson


Download the MP3
Let Us Cross Over the River
the title song from this CD
1. The Old Gospel Ship 2:22
 2. It's Different Now 2:47
 3. Let Us Cross Over The River 2:33
 4. When We All Get to Heaven 2:20
 5. If We Never Meet Again 3:17
 6. Beacon In the Night 2:28
 7. What Would You Give in Exchange? 3:54
 8. Kneel At the Cross 2:13
 9. I Feel Like Traveling On 2:13
 10. If You See My Savior 3:03
 11. At Calvary 2:26
 12. When They Ring Those Golden Bells 3:54
 13. Lord, Build Me A Cabin 2:32
 14. Sweet Hour of Prayer 3:36
 15. There is Power in the Blood 2:36
 16. Gathering Flowers For The Masterís Bouquet 2:20
 17. Keep on the Sunny Side 3:05		  The words and melodies of these songs find their true meaning when illuminated by the spirit and glory of God. Without his blessings, the instruments ring hollow and the voices fall flat. We try to keep this in mind when we sing these songs, especially when called upon to add our humble musical offerings to arduous rites of passage. These themes shape our earliest remembrances growing up in Randolph County, North Carolina.

These songs forged our earliest memories, the first leaves of a palimpsest that not only frames our musical consciousness, but our perspective on life as well............We pray that through God this work will be a blessing to you. It is our greatest wish that you too may wrap yourself in the blanket of these verses and melodies and be comforted by our music, just as if you were on the far side of the river resting under the shade of the trees. 

Tony Williamson (liner notes) 

CD $15. 
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The Williamson Brothers 
My Rocky River Home



My Rocky River Home

(coming soon)
Download an MP3 of
My Rocky River Home

from this CD

Tony and Gary Williamson perform the old-time style of music that dates back to their ancestors in rural North Carolina. In fact, the title song of this CD chronicles the experiences of their great-grandfather, Noah Williamson, a confederate soldier during the Civil War.
"Seamlessly blended harmonies and masterfully intuitive picking... Siler City's Williamson Brother have figured prominently in the Piedmont's traditional music scene for decades. With "My Rocky River Home", the brothers embark on a delightful musical journey that recalls the famed brother duets of yesteryear. Guitarist singer Gary owns one of the regions most distinctive tenor voices and Tony is recognized as one of America's most accomplished mandolin players." --Jack Bernhardt, Raleigh News & Observer

 "-unpretentious, heartfelt traditional numbers sung as only brothers can sing ... Gary plays a rock-solid rhythm and Tony, of course, has no equal on the mandolin--a combination made in acoustic heaven." --Dave Higgs, WPLN, Bluegrass Breakdown, Nashville, TN
CD $15.
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Mandolin Central Publishing, Inc.
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Living On the Hallelujah Side
 CD-3002


Living on the Hallelujah Side
 On this beautifully recorded gospel instrumental collection, Tony Williamson (mandolin, mandola and guitar) joins a host of superpickers including Tim Austin (guitar), Craig Smith (banjo), Aubrie Haynie(fiddle), Dan Tyminski (guitar), Wyatt Rice (guitar) and Dale Perry (bass fiddle) for a tasteful rendering of these timeless and meaningful melodies. Selections include many of our favorites: In the Sweet By and By, Leaning on the Everlasting Arm, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, I'll Fly Away, Old Time Religion, Over In the Gloryland, Amazing Grace, The Old Rugged Cross and more. 

CD $15.
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(coming soon)
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From this CD
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 The Sound of the American Mandolin
Tony and his family
Video $25.
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 This video combines discussion with performance in an historical overview of the development of the mandolin in America. Max McCullough narrates. During the turn-of-the-century America, the mandolin experienced a popularity that can be described as a "rage" or a "craze." This once beloved instrument was nearly forgotten as the acoustic and electric guitars dominated popular music from the 1950s until the present. The mandolin, however, has now made a dramatic comeback nearly 100 years later. Tony Williamson's "The Sound of the American Mandolin" makes a strong case for this comeback, as his playing delights audiences and his discussions inform and entertain. As a logical offshoot of his work at Mandolin Central, one of the leading resources for vintage musical instruments, Tony began presenting his personal tour of great mandolins in 1994. "Mandolin virtuoso Tony Williamson. . .sure can play, and what he doesn't know about mandolins, nobody does." This is how the Acoustic Musician magazine (Nov 1995) described Tony Williamson performing on and talking about his host of rare and vintage American mandolins. The mandolin and the other mandolin family instruments (which include the mandola, mandocello and mandobass) are the subjects of the "The Sound of the American Mandolin", a one-man show which features Tony Williamson performing on and talking about a host of rare and vintage American mandolins. This show, which examines one of America's favorite musical instruments through performances and discussion, has been performed at venues all over the United States and is now available on the videocassette "The Sound of the American Mandolin featuring Tony Williamson." "There is a wealth of information packed in this hour long video: its well worth the consideration of mandolin players and should be required viewing before buying a mandolin!" --Central Texas Bluegrass Association, Austin TX, June 1995 "Williamson demonstrates characteristic tones and timbres (of the mandolin family instruments) with his dazzling performances. Williamson is a fine mandolin player and (has) a storehouse of knowledge about the instrument." --Vintage Guitar magazine, July 1995. "Tony Williamson is a mandolinist extraordinaire, considered by those "in the know" to be one of the best mandolin players anywhere." Central Texas Bluegrass Bulletin, Sept 95. 
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Across the Grain
 
 

Across the Grain
by Tony Williamson

Download the MP3
Disney Medley  

from this CD

....Mandolin virtuoso Tony Williamson. . .sure can play, and what he doesn't know about mandolins, nobody does. Acoustic Musician, Nov 1995.

........ It's mandolin man Tony Williamson! He's back with a pair of fine instrumental albums that explore a variety of moods and 'tudes. Across the Grain finds him performing in various ensemble configurations, including several that include Dobro master Jerry Douglas and fiddler Jason Carter. Williamson delves into folk, jazz and bluegrass pieces with crafty arrangements that range from muscular, fast-paced mando merriment to the soothing and calm. All for Naught takes a similar approach, only in a solo context. Whether on his own, or accompanied, Williamson's attention to nuance and devotion to his craft makes these solid efforts worthy of attention. (AP) Dirty Linen #69, April/May 1997.

Across the Grain  by Tony Williamson  . CD and cassette Songs include 9 originals (Mr. Ambassador, Lady Ellen, 'dola Dance, Odie's Ride, etc.), a Disney medley, Wellenspiel by L. Schubert and "Well You Needn't" by Theolonius Monk. Recorded by Tim Austin of Doobie Shea Studios.


CD $15.
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All for Naught
Tony Williamson


Download the MP3
Road to Pedros
from this CD

  This collection of 16 solo compositions and arrangements for vintage stringed instruments includes favorites like"Topsail Blues", and "The Road To Pedro's". Each tune is played on a treasured instrument like the 1924 (signed by Lloyd Loar) and 1927 Gibson F-5 mandolins; 1922 Gibson H-4 mandola; 1922 Gibson K-10 mandocello; 1937 Martin D-18, 1935 Martin D-28 and 1938 Gibson J-35 guitars; and 1936 Model 37 Dobro. This CD on the Mandolin Central Label has 9 original compositions by Tony Williamson and several traditional numbers including "Dixie" (on mandocello) and "Bonaparte's Retreat" (on mandola).

Mandolin virtuoso Tony Williamson. . .sure can play, and what he doesn't know about mandolins, nobody does." Acoustic Musician, Nov 1995.

(All For Naught)...captures the informal accessibility of (Williamson's)...solo performance and his expert musicianship. It's a great album for listening--almost as engaging as his live show--, and an excellent study guide for serious instrumentalists who can listen and learn from Tony's relaxed style and impeccable skill." Central Texas Bluegrass Association, July 1996
Williamson, a multi-instrumentalist, is a finely honed stylist on these solo original and traditional numbers, many reminiscent of old-timey music...It's one thing to own these fine instruments, but it's another matter to be able to play them. Williamson is fortunate on the first count and impressive on the second. Williamson's fingers smoothly transverse the necks of the mandolins, reaching high notes that lose nothing in tone or clarity. On the mandola rendition of "Bonaparte's Retreat," he alternates playing melody on the high notes and the low ones, ending in crisp harmony. I enjoyed listening to the quality of Williamson's playing and ...the album succeeds as a presentation of the vitality of vintage stringed instruments." Bluegrass Unlimited , Vol. 31, No. 10, April 1997. 

Available on CD only..........$ 15.00
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 Mandolin 2000



 

   With this volume, Mel Bay Publications has taken a giant step toward unlocking the secrets of the great mandolin masters.  Accurate transcriptions and challenging material provide a meaty fare which should fill the plate of even the advanced mandolin student.

Mandolin Central's Tony Williamson is featured along with over 44 of the world's finest mandolin players including Jethro Burns, Sam Bush, David Grisman, Evan Marshall, Mike Marshall, Ray Bell, Alan Bibey, Caterina Lichtenburg, Tim O'Brian, Aubrey Haynie and Radin Zenkl.

Includes 2 CDs with 47 recorded tracks of the songs included, transcribed in both standard notation and tablature.

$29.95
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