William James Foster

b. September 19th, 1921 in Leland (Mississippi)

d. May 20th, 2001 in Jackson (Mississippi)

AT HOME WITH THE BLUES

RMD Music

1993

Originaire du Mississippi, il apprend l'harmonica et part tenter sa chance à Detroit à 17 ans. Il participe à la guerre en Angleterre. Une fois démobilisé, Willie s'installe à Saint Louis. Il semble avoir joué avec Muddy Waters dans les années 50. Revenu dans le sud pour s'occuper de son père en 1963, il joue dans le groupe Rhythm & Blues Upsetters. Finalement, Willie trouve l'opportunité d'enregistrer un premier album, au début des années 90, sous la supervision du producteur Carl J. Griffin. Il y délivre un blues brut et excitant, sans grande originalité, mais accrocheur (à part les parties de clavier trop synthétiques).

Originally from Mississippi, he learned to play harmonica and headed to Detroit at age 17 to try his luck. He served in the war while stationed in England. After his discharge, Willie settled in Saint Louis. He seems to have played with Muddy Waters during the 1950's. Returning South in 1963 to care for his father, he played with the Rhythm & Blues Upsetters. Eventually, in the early 1990's, Willie got the chance to record his debut album under the supervision of producer Carl J. Griffin. He delivered a raw, exciting blues, if not particularly original, but sound—catchy (despite overly synthetic keyboard parts).

I FOUND JOY

Palindrome

1995

Ce second album a été enregistré grâce au producteur guitariste Bobby Mack. Mieux produit que le précédent opus, il permet à Willie de proposer une belle tranche de blues terrien et bourré de feeling. On trouve une tracklist intense avec les excellents "Why do you treat me so mean", "Janie on my mind", "Achin' all over", "Blues is just a feelin'", "If you love me", "I found joy". Une belle réussite qui permit à Willie de se faire connaitre.

This second album was recorded with the help of producer and guitarist Bobby Mack. Boasting better production than the previous release, it allows Willie to deliver a fine slice of down-home, deeply soulful blues. The tracklist is intense featuring excellent songs such as "Why do you treat me so mean", "Janie on my mind", "Achin' all over", "Blues is just a feelin'", "If you love me", "I found joy". It was a resounding success that helped Willie make a name for himself.

BLUES ESTAFETTE VREDENBURG UTRECHT '96

Blues Estafette

November 1996

MY LIFE

Palindrome

1997

Suite au superbe album "I found joy", Willie Foster et Bobby Mack mettent en chantier ce nouveau disque. Mais, plus long et moins percutant, il n'arrive pas au niveau de son prédécesseur. Cependant, il s'agit, tout de même, d'un opus de vrai blues qui mérite une écoute attentive car sa voix et son harmonica tiennent le coup.

Following the superb album "I found joy", Willie Foster and Bobby Mack set to work on this new record. However, being longer and less punchy, it falls short of its predecessor. Nevertheless, it remains a genuine blues album that deserves a close listen as his voice and harmonica hold their own.

LIVE

Black Cat

March 1999

Nouvelle venue sur le sol hollandais pour Willie Foster. On l'entend ici live, accompagné par des musiciens locaux (le groupe The Juke Joints), délivrer son blues sur scène. Mais, la set-list est trop longue et le mixage semble souvent déséquilibré.

Willie Foster makes a new appearance on dutch ground. Here, we hear him performing his blues live on stage, backed by local musicians (the band The Juke Joints). However, the setlist is too long and the mix often seems unbalanced.

LIVE AT AIRPORT GROCERY

Mempho

1999

Concert dans un restaurant du Mississippi dans lequel Willie - toujours en forme à l'harmonica - est accompagné de ses amis des Rhythm & Blues Upsetters. Si la qualité sonore se révèle excellente, Willie et ses musiciens jouent souvent sans flamme.

A concert at a Mississippi restaurant where Willie — still in fine form on harmonica — is accompanied by his friends, the Rhythm & Blues Upsetters. While the sound quality is excellent, Willie and his musicians often play without much fire.

[no image]

THE LEGENDS OF THE BLUES : LIVE 2000

Divine 10

March 2000

MY INSPIRATION

Blues Barbeque

2000

Presque octogénaire, Willie grave ce plaisant album qui montre, une fois encore, son aisance au chant et à l'harmonica. Bien accompagné par ses musiciens réguliers, il propose un bon opus de blues brut et excitant (même si peu original). Willie meurt d'une crise cardiaque survenue juste après un concert qu'il venait de donner en mai 2001. Il ne faut pas le confondre avec Little Willie Foster (1922-1987), autre harmoniciste, qui enregistra pour Parrot et Cobra.

Nearing eighty, Willie recorded this enjoyable album which, once again, showcases his proficiency on vocals and harmonica. Well-supported by his regular bandmates, he delivers a solid, exciting — albeit not particularly original — set of raw blues. Willie died of a heart attack immediately after a concert in may 2001. He should not be confused with Little Willie Foster (1922–1987), another harmonica player, who recorded for the Parrot and Cobra labels.