Album Review: Don Williams - And So It Goes

In this review, we give you five things you need to now about The Gentle Giant's return to country music. The album features Alison Krauss, Keith Urban and Vince Gill in supporting roles and duets and is ably produced by Garth Fundis. Read on to see what we have to say here!

The first thing to know about Don Williams' And So It Goes Record is that there's an easy elegance to the music that is often lost in today's country music. It's a laid-back, just let the music breathe, sort of style that has always been a trademark of "The Gentle Giant."  One of Keith Urban's main influences, Williams has also inspired many of the current generation of country music including Easton Corbin and Josh Turner.  

The second thing to know about Don Williams' And So It Goes record is that it's his first record since 2004. In the eight years since then, Don Williams spent a majority of that time 'retired' but her must've still been writing songs as he wrote many of the songs on this fine, fine album. "High Hopes" starts off the song cycle and sets the mood for the album.  This, my friends is a country music album sung with such ease and effortlessness that it should be used as a masterclass for all artists wanting to be country music vocalists.

The third thing to know about Don Williams' And So It Goes is that there isn't a bad track on the record. "Heart of Hearts" showcases Williams firmly in control of his music and while quite a few songs feel like they just 'abruptly end' that's more because 'deep inside your heart of hearts' you don't want the music to end. Alison Krauss joins Don on "I Just Come Here For The Music," a song about two lost souls finding each other when listening to a strong country band and Keith Urban duets with Don on "Imagine That" with their voices blending so well that it's hard to tell that Keith Urban even harmonizes with Don on virtually every lyric of the song (along with playing guitar). Vince Gill provides harmonies on the track as well. Gill also harmonizes on the sweet "She's With Me" while also playing a sweet guitar solo.

The fourth and final thing you need to know about Don Williams' And So It Goes is that there's not a country album released so far this year that is as relaxing, mediative and worthy of our attention. Do yourself a favor and buy a copy of The Gentile Giant's first album in 8 years, you'll be happy you did.

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