Solo Gig: Essential Curiosities in Musical Free Improvisation

by Davey J. Williams

Based in a noted musician's decades of personal experiences, "Solo Gig" examines some crucial and far-reaching aspects of musical free improvisation, with particular regard to live performances. In this illustrated collection of narrative essays, the author looks both into and from inside this uniquely paradoxical, challenging and rewarding way of making music, within the context of an inherently eccentric milieu.

Genres: Music

146 pages, Paperback

First published November 10, 2011

About the author

Davey J. Williams (1952, York, Alabama – April 5, 2019) was an American free improvisation and avant-garde music guitarist. In addition to his solo work, he was noted for his membership in Curlew and his collaborations with LaDonna Smith.

Williams co-founded The Improviser, a journal of experimental music, in 1981. He also worked as a music critic for the Birmingham News and published freelance criticism elsewhere.

Williams died in Birmingham, Alabama on April 5, 2019, from cancer.

Reviews

[Jeff Crompton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Davey Williams, the improvising guitarist who toured the world, but always returned home to Alabama, died last week. I felt compelled to reread his book on free musical improvisation. The book is like Davey's playing - quirky, funny, spontaneous, and unpredictable. For that matter, it's like his personality - engaging and full of unexpected surprises.

As with any conversation with a friend, there are passages that could be considered filler. But for those interested in free improvisation, there is much wisdom here - and it's delivered in a very entertaining manner, as in my favorite chapter title: "Use Care When Throwing Caution to the Winds."

Forgive me for becoming personal. But - so long, Davey; I'll miss you. I'm glad we've got your records and this wonderful book.

[Molly Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't recommend this book enough to anyone who has experience with or interest in improvisation.