When Alto Was King
When Alto Was King is the final album recorded by American saxophonist Charles [Williams (musician)|C. I. Williams] released in 1997 on the Mapleshade label a quarter century after his previous album.
Reception
awarded the album 4 stars stating "this superb-sounding album is a fitting showcase for Williams' alto talents". In JazzTimes Willard Jenkins wrote "Mr. Williams has a buttery tone that is delivered with authority and the veteran's sense of relaxed swing. His tone bending, for example, is done very subtly and with a knowingness that never announces the arrival of the next bended note. He plays it with a liquidity and fluid sense of phrasing that makes every piece a study in elegance".Track listing
All compositions by C. I. Williams except as indicated- "You'd Be [So Nice to Come Home To]" - 5:12
- "Punkin Juice" - 5:45
- "'Round [Midnight (song)|'Round Midnight]" - 8:08
- "Catfish Sammich" - 4:57
- "Misty" - 5:57
- "Lover Man" - 6:32
- "Because of You" - 3:29
- "Jeep's Blues" - 6:55
- "I'll [Close My Eyes (song)|I'll Close My Eyes]" - 5:03
- "Avalon" - 2:37
- "Precious Lord" - 2:07
Personnel
- C. I. Williams - alto saxophone
- Larry Willis - piano
- Don Blackman - piano
- Ed Cherry - guitar
- Keter Betts - bass
- Jimmy Cobb - drums