Peter Williams - Billy Fury - Always remembered
Peter Williams plays guitar instrumental versions of Billy Fury songs.
1.Do you really love me too 2.I will 3.Halfway to Paradise 4.Devil or angel 5.Cross my heart 6.A thousand stars 7.Once upon a dream 8.I'd never find another you 9.Like I've never been gone 10.Last night was made for love 11.Maybe tomorrow 12.Forget himPeter Williams - Billy Fury - Always remembered
"When Peter Williams first contacted me with the idea of this tribute album (promptly named by Peter after the Fan Club Logo) I had mixed feelings. Surely it was the unique vocal magic of Billy Fury that made the songs associated with him so special! There is of course much truth in that perception, especially regarding the less standout numbers which, like Elvis, Billy had a knack of making not only listenable but set apart from the run-of-the-mill. Then I considered the fine performances of King For Tonight by Barry Darvell, Push Push by Austin Taylor, A Million Miles From Nowhere by Brook Benton, I Will by PJ Proby, Halfway To Paradise by Tony Orlando and Johnny Nash, A Thousand Stars by Arthur Alexander and others and I knew that many of Billy's songs could also speak for themselves if treated correctly and with sufficient reverence. I need not have worried. Peter first saw Billy on-stage with the Tornados in 1962 and has been a fan ever since. His dedication to this project and his respect for Billy's music is self- evident in the warm, respectful, sympathetic and professional readings of these twelve selected tracks. No instrument or other artist can hope to equal the original Decca/Polydor recordings but that said this is one highly listenable, unique and enjoyable album. Who knows but that another may follow!
The amount of work contained here is prodigious. Guitar tutoring by day Peter played the number to be worked up during breaks and evenings, checking against the music sheets. The problem, invariably, was that Billy had a way of bending the notes, somewhat akin to the great Dion, and not following the music exactly. Peter had to rewrite sizeable chunks of each song to reflect Billy's actual performance, in order to be able to at least approximate it. Other problems were created by the difficulty in getting quality backing tracks and working in some difficult keys to achieve the required authentic effect. The choice of tracks was initially at least, largely limited by what was available on music sheets and what backings could be arranged. Recording was done on Sundays, one track at a time and often taking up to six hours to complete. Some tracks were not up to Peter's self-imposed standard and were re-recorded. The result is a lovely album; a sincere tribute in the Shadows style to the iconic figure that was Billy Fury. The driving Do You Really Love Me Too (later covered by rock'n'roll torch bearer Shakin' Stevens) is followed by the haunting I Will (also done by Vic Dana and Dean Martin among others)...." Chris Eley
"May I say right away that this new CD of Billy Fury songs is played beautifully by Peter Williams. He has captured the unluttered, simple, effective, mood of the much loved artist as Billy Fury..... So back to the CD of Peter Williams played with simplicity and depth. I think he has captured the very right mood and sentiment needed for such a loved man as Billy Fury. Look forward to the next one Peter. Your friend. Brian 'Licorice' Locking."