Upright Bass

“Focus on the Bass”: An Evening with Keller Williams

“Focus on the Bass”: An Evening with Keller Williams

By Andy Hikel

Skowhegan, ME-On Saturday night the Skowhegan Opera House showcased an unbelievable talent named Keller Williams. On top of the Skowhegan Police Station, Williams flat out entertained the few hundred spectators with his one man act that included various assortments of acoustic guitars, acoustic basses, upright basses, electric basses, percussion, keyboard, electric guitar, a one string bass/9-string guitar, and a whole mess of looping technology to name just a few.

The true talent of Williams lies in his acoustic guitar and looping abilities. Walking in stage-left strumming his acoustic guitar he instantly grabbed hold of the audience with his tremendous on-stage ethos. Barefoot, he weaved through his instruments set on the stage making funny faces and odd dance moves forcing you to laugh out in enjoyment. He then displayed his musical prowess looping a guitar riff, and then beat boxing a beat to accompany the riff. After finding the correct beat Williams looped it and moseyed over to an already propped up bass guitar and began to hammer out a funky bass line which he then looped as well. This behavior is nothing new to an everyday Keller Williams fan but to an everyday Skowhegan local this is nothing short of mind-blowing musical genius. He continued his one man show for nearly three full hours looping instruments, beats, and lyrics along the way to one of the most entertaining shows the small town of Skowhegan, Maine has ever seen. Many of his songs began as four minute studio recordings and instantly became twelve minute jam sessions overflowing with improvisations on multiple different instruments, even including A Capella singing style.

Local concert-goer and Portland resident Sherry Mills spoke on Williams and his performance. “His style is so hip in a way that no one else around can compare. The way he can get into the crowds head, you know, with playful lyrics and his amazing use of his musical technology he surrounds himself, it really is amazing what this guy can do. It is something I would totally recommend for all ages”

Williams is originally a Virginia native but has been calling Colorado home for nearly a decade and a half. His one-man-show may seem new and refreshing to some but his act is nothing new. Ever since his 1994 debut album Freek, Williams has been recording and touring his original compositions. He has released twelve cd’s since his debut with his most recent album, 12, being released in December of 2007.

About the Author

Andy Hikel, 2nd year Journalism Major, University of Maine at Orono.

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