Recorded by Alton Ellis in 1967 at the height of the rock steady craze, Willow Tree never fails to get the joint jumping at Jamaican dances. Singer Ian Sweetness is the latest to take a crack at the revered ballad.
He produced his version for Audio Sweetness Production.
“I don’t remember the story about Willow Tree but it was a song that I heard others sing but just never felt it. I’m saying it needed more passion, soul and clarity to touch people who know really know about the craft,” said Sweetness.
Willow Tree was originally done by American soul singer Chuck Jackson in 1959. His songs, like Any Day Now and Tell Him I’m Not Home, have also been covered by Jamaican artists like Dennis Brown, Linval Thompson and Sanchez.
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