Brooks Williams is a superb guitarist, and Hundred Year Shadow showcases his work beautifully. Two instrumental pieces feature his playing, and in the other songs -- mostly original, with one Lennon/McCartney cover -- Williams' playing intertwines with the vocals setting off the lyrics to excellent effect.

The first song, "Darker Kind of Blue," is my favorite on this album. It's not so much the sentiments expressed, which are rather dark and gloomy; more the solid way in which all the parts -- melody, lyrics, vocals, and the instruments -- work together to make a very satisfying whole. It was a great choice for the first song, I think, as it really pulled me into the album!

"Monkey" is a catchy song about a very unusual topic: obsessive thoughts. "The mind is like a jute (sic) box and it only plays one tune/ If you don't hear that song again it'll be too soon." He draws other analogies, to a gardener working too close to his garden, to an old and tedious friend, and to the jumping, chattering monkey of the title. I found myself humming the tune, and appreciating the witty way Williams described something I think we've all experienced.

"Kar-Kar" and "Songs My Brother Taught Me" are the instrumental pieces. Williams plays two guitars in each of them, superimposing the tracks: acoustic and electric in "Kar-Kar;" and kona and slide on "Songs My Brother Taught Me." The polished guitars are set off by Marty Ballou's elegant and spare bass, and Loren Entress' equally elegant drums. (Both Entress and Ballou play on most of the other tracks in this album as well.)

I also really like "House of Truth." As in "Darker Kind of Blue" the individual parts work together strongly., and I find the subject more attractive than "Blue." "It's a long way / to the house of truth. ... Of all the time I've wasted, all the time in my life / it'd be quicker to cut down an oak tree with a pocket knife" -- what a wonderful way of putting it!

"Willie Mae Brown" is another catchy tune, and a great story. The singer denies "messing" with Willie Mae Brown. One may believe him at first, but then start to wonder; he describes a number of other things he did do to his claimed best friend, none of which are particularly nice. And he's had dreams about Ms. Brown. And -- well, if I were his friend, I wouldn't believe him, either!

"All The Ways You Wander" is a simple and touching song of love and friendship, not as spectacular as some of the other pieces, but lovely. "I Will," the Lennon/McCartney cover, is the album's last song and attractively done. "Mockingbird Hill" is pretty but didn't really come together for me, particularly right after "House of Truth." And I didn't care for either "My Love Will Follow You" or "The Good and the Bad." While well sung and played, the lyrics seemed rather cliche-ridden to me, especially since they each follow one of the album's strongest songs. They're not bad, just not as good as the others.

The arrangements and skill of the musicians on this album as a whole are exceptional. I admire the way they are integral parts of the songs, and enhance the beauties of the whole, rather than showcasing spectacular playing at the expense of integrity. This is one of the best albums I've ever heard in this regard!

The liner notes are well designed with atmospheric photos and several of Williams playing. The lyrics are very legible, too, and the musicians given credit clearly on each song, along with the instruments used.

If you appreciate superb guitar playing and tight arrangements I think you'll like this album a lot. I'd also recommend it for the interesting and evocative imagery in many of the lyrics. Brooks Williams has put together a wonderful album here!

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