The Best of Joe Williams: The Roulette, Solid State & Blue Note Years is an excellent sampler of
Williams' work for Roulette and Solid State, providing a terrific overview of
Williams' early records. Most of these 18 tracks feature
Williams with
the Count Basie Orchestra; there are also several cuts with
Jimmy Jones,
Harry "Sweets" Edison,
Horace Ott,
Jimmy Mundy,
the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, and
Lambert, Hendricks & Ross. For anyone wondering why
Williams is considered one of the great blues and big-band vocalists, this offers a reason why.
–
Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi