Been Here and Gone

More about the book

So begins the fictional memoir of Coley Williams, an all-but-forgotten bluesman and backup musician to some of the most famous figures in blues history. At the age of one hundred and two, Williams shares his extraordinary tale for the first time, collaborating with renowned author David Dalton. Dalton's rhythmic prose captures Williams' authentic voice, recounting his life from a tenant farmer in Mississippi to a recording artist. Williams' journey encompasses the Great Migration to Northern cities, his time in the notorious Sugarland prison farm, and the freedom found on the open road. He navigates the juke joints of the South and the stages of Swinging London, embodying the essence of the blues and the twentieth century. Through hardships like the Flood of 1927 and the Great Depression, as well as the race riots of the 1960s and the Civil Rights movement, Williams introduces us to legendary blues figures such as Charley Patton, Bessie Smith, Muddy Waters, and even Elvis Presley. His vivid anecdotes bring these larger-than-life musicians back to life, showcasing the rich tapestry of blues music. The memoir serves as a heartfelt testament to a vanishing era and a vital contribution to the literature of music and popular culture. Williams' story is a refreshing reminder of the vitality of blues and the people who lived it, set against the backdrop of the American Century.