Marv Williams, pictured, is a little bit blues, a little bit rock, a little bit folk, and now available on CD. (Provided Photo)
Marv Williams is a little bit blues, a little bit rock, a little bit folk, and now available on CD. After 25 years as a musician, the Binghamton resident released his first 10-track CD last October.
Over the years, Williams said that he has accumulated a sizable catalogue of musical compositions, and this album – titled “My Story” – focuses on some of the best of those. He said, “There’s ones that were recorded a long time ago, stuff I’ve written through the years, and some I’ve written in the last year.”
He added, “I guess it was a couple of new songs that really spurred the idea [to put out an album].”
“The songs are individual stories in themselves,” said Williams. He explained that his favorite track, “Let It Roll,” is “about not staying in one place your life.” The title track is about a high school sweetheart who moved away. Although he said that the title track is not necessarily autobiographical, Williams added, “I think somehow my own stories are in there.”
Marv Williams, pictured, is a little bit blues, a little bit rock, a little bit folk, and now available on CD. (Provided Photo)
In describing the overall style of his music, Williams said, “I’m an acoustic finger-style player. It’s bluesy and a little folky.” He cited The Grateful Dead, Hot Tuna, and The Allman Brothers as some of his major influences.
He added, “I was raised on southern rock.”
Although the compositions are all his own, the album’s array of instrumentation was possible only with the help of other musicians. Mark “Shark” Gentile and Jack McKissick both played bass, while Dave “Jed” Kittle played rhythm guitar and Murray Burstin played djembe.
Williams managed to forego the cost of using a studio by recording the album in his own home. He said, “It’s a modest setup, but it gets the job done.”
Before coming to the world of music, Williams served in the Air Force during the early- to mid-1980s. Afterward, he worked as an engineer until he got laid off in 2010. Since then, he has been supporting himself through his music career.
Most of his music income is through local live shows. Some of his regular haunts include Blind Tiger Pub in Johnson City and My Uncle’s Place in Binghamton. He said that he tries to do at least three live show per week. Williams said that he enjoys the live shows.
Said Williams, “I like to feed off the energy from the audience. If I feel like I am entertaining at least one person, I’m happy.”
Anyone interested in being entertained by Williams in the future can check out his upcoming live show schedule online at http://brewmusic.net/event_select_all.php. Copies of the album – which are $10 apiece – are available on CD Baby, iTunes, and at live shows.
