Robert Pete Williams

Robert Pete Williams is a true American blues legend, a hidden gem unearthed from the swamps of Louisiana. Born in 1914, this enigmatic singer-songwriter has a life story as raw and haunting as his music. Williams spent years in Angola State Penitentiary for murder before being discovered by ethnomusicologist Harry Oster in 1959.

His music is a raw blend of Delta blues, spirituals, and field hollers, delivered in a gravelly voice that sounds like it has weathered a thousand storms. Williams' guitar playing is equally mesmerizing, with intricate fingerpicking patterns that showcase his unique approach to the blues.

His lyrics delve deep into the hardships of his life, from the pain of being wrongfully imprisoned to the struggles of being a black man in the deep South. But amidst the darkness, there is also a glimmer of hope and resilience in his songs, a testament to the human spirit's ability to endure.

Williams' influence on the blues and folk music scenes cannot be overstated. His songs have been covered by artists like Bob Dylan and Bonnie Raitt, and his legacy lives on in the works of contemporary blues musicians.

In a world of music that often feels manufactured and soulless, Robert Pete Williams stands out as a true original, a musical shaman whose songs resonate with a timeless power. Experience his music, and you'll be transported to a world of pain, redemption, and the enduring power of the blues.