Hayward Williams

Hayward Williams’ deep, slightly husky voice is his most expressive quality, yet it paradoxically contributes to a suspicion that he’s holding something back. A little sense of mystery does a lot of favors for the Milwaukee singer-songwriter’s mostly plainspoken, humble work. Roomy production, pedal-steel, accordion, piano, and female harmonies gently frame the vocals on Cotton Bell, a 2010 album of slow-moving but tunefully sound and confident numbers. 

Updated 11/10/2010