Quotes
His roots in Berlin (1969) go almost as deep as those in Oklahoma (his childhood), with direct artistic results: In Robert Williams’ songs, his powerful American blues/country/folk heritage is expertly fused with European delicacies. We would like to see artists from “God’s own country” do this more often.
Fast so weit wie in Richtung Oklahoma (Kindheit) reichen seine Wurzeln
Folker Magazine
May-June 2005
Robert Williams and Stephen Miller inspired the audience in the packed bar on the Hulsberg with their solid blues, country, and jazz.
Robert Williams and Stephen Miller spielten in der rappelvollen Kneipe am Hulsberg soliden Blues, Country und Jazz und begeisterten damit dass Publikum.
Karina Skwirblies
Weserkurier (Bremen, Germany)
January 1, 2005
"State Secrets, Bob William’s first solo album, was released earlier this month in London, England. Bob, best known for his work with the Hagelbergers, has created a masterpiece of American rock, fusing the country and western that seems to be his roots with a variety of other influences. Most of the songs are new material and many were contributed by other Hagelbergers, notably Basic Italian and Buffalo Billy, with lyrics co-written by John Vaughan of Somewhere in Europe fame, and the sensational Living Outside the Law from Jesse Ballard off the "Americans in Berlin" album. There is also a song from the Hagelbergers' spiritual soul-mate and former band member T.M. Fabian, the witty and melodic If.
Ever since we have been following the Hagelbergers here in England we have asked the same question - IF the dice had just rolled a slightly different way surely we would not be talking of CSN&Y but the Hagelbergers too as the champions of an old and almost forgotten America. The musical legacy is just as strong, and continues to shine strongly in this new album. As Bob Williams sings in the title track, "We all came from Kreuzberg and we're glad that we did". We're glad too Bob, for that spiritual and musical home is still resulting in new and great music to inspire us all 30 years on."
James Courtenay
Notting Hill Fan Club
London, January 2005
"Those
of you who attended Friday's show with Robert Williams and Michael Fracasso know
what a great night of music it was at t he Blue Door. Robert Williams is a
really great singer/songwriter and his new songs which will be out in the fall
are among the best I have ever heard. Listen to "Quiet American" and
tell me he is not right on the money about our culture. With support from Terry
"Buffalo" Ware and Mary Catherine Reynolds, Williams showed why he was
long regarded as one of the most promising Okie songwriters to emerge in the
1970's. Well now he is back and plans to return in the fall with a new
record."
The Blue Door Digest
Oklahoma City, July 2004
"Robert Williams steps up to the mike like a batter up to the plate, and lets loose with a barrage of songs that are bluesy, keenly insightful, witty, and at times hauntingly melodic. This is one performer not to be missed."
Tom Cunningham, producer (Shannan, City,
Keimzeit, Romy Haag) and artist.
Berlin, March 2005
"Robert Williams is that rare breed of musician who takes the best from the country blues, folk, great pop songs he grew up with, adds a little Kurt Weil touch here and there, veers toward Hank Williams at times and puts it all together in a way that his influences are never too obvious yet serve his songs well. I can hear Tom Waits a little in the way Williams writes about very colorful characters and cares about the melody. I can hear Lowell George a little the way he rings soulful notes out of his guitar, but mostly I just hear Bob Williams, who is not only a brilliant lyricist, but a fine guitarist who writes songs that go far beyond the usual three chord fare. It's nice to have him back"
Greg Johnson, owner of The Blue Door Cafe, Oklahoma City, and host of For the Sake of the Song, KRXO 107.7 FM
(...) Das Duo Wayne
Grajeda/Robert Williams überzeugt mit hübschen Songs, dichtem Gitarrensound
und makellosem zweistimmigen Gesang. (...)
The duo of Wayne Grajeda and Robert Williams were
compelling with beautiful songs, a tight guitar sound, and flawless two-part
harmonies...
- Der Tagesspiegel (Berlin), 07/06/00
Meine schönste Sendung überhaupt
war mit den Jungs aus der Hagelberger Straße 14. Es war wie früher: die Musik
war toll, die Stimmung war toll; wir haben uns einfach im Go-In wiedergetroffen.
Ich bin begeistert nach Hause gegangen.
My most beautiful show overall was with the boys from
Hagelberger Street 14. It was just like in the old days: the music was
fantastic, the feeling was fantastic; it was as if we met again in the
Go-In (a legendary Berliner club). I went home electrified.
- Arno Clauss, SFB Radio, Berlin