Search - Will Downing :: Greatest Love Songs

A Love Supreme

douglas barton | Arlington, Va. | 03/31/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm not in love! But.....there are times when hearing a song of unrequited love ( silly love songs! ) on the radio or here at home that I do feel a certain pang and a longing for someone special in my life. And, no doubt, I'm not alone in feeling these rather turbulent, unforgiving emotions. With the recent release of Will Downing's " Greatest Love Songs " a disc that is so unabashedly romantic and direct in it's longings for true, undisputed love, that I suspect that I dare not listen to it without a glass of wine and a clear, level head. Although even I realize that love and a logical mind have absolutely nothing to do with one another! And before readers begin to think I've finally abandoned what little sanity I've left let me explain why this CD is so appealing....and slightly 'dangerous' for the incurably romantic in all of us. Confession being good for the soul I actually had no intention of purchasing this disc. My 'music library' is certainly full of love songs, be it unrequited ( or not! ) so I certainly felt no strong desire to add to that ever growing collection. But upon hearing the first track " Free " at a local watering hole I rushed out to purchase my very own copy after the gentleman behind the bar ( a man wise beyond his years! ) granted me a peek at the CD jewel case. Mr. Downing singing style, while fitting securely in that R&B/Smooth Jazz genre sings in a fairly traditional style. Often times, when listening to this disc, I found myself thinking how much he reminded me of Johnny Hartman, the quintessential male jazz singer. And while I won't make silly comparisons he does have that wonderful honey based bariton quality about him. All the tracks included herein, while obviously concentrating on love, is fortunately mature in it's outlook and never resorts to many of the same old cliche's that all of us have heard so many times over. Songs such as " Where Is The Love? " ( remember Donny Hathaway & Roberta Flack? ), " I Try " and most certainly " Lover's Paradise " ( also covered by the delicious Oletta Adams ) all take a mature, grown-up look at feelings that, at one time or another, has made me subject to bouts of sheer ecstacy or deep depression. But all in the name of love...of course! By tackling the old Rose Royce standard " Wishing On A Star " he does this classic extremely proud and in some small way took me back to younger days when I wasn't quite so inhibited in my feelings and in wearing my emotions on my sleeve! But, unfortunately as we live we sometimes learn....often times that being the hard way! But I wouldn't change that for all the world. As Tina once sang " What's Love Got To Do With It? " and my reply would simply be....everything of course! All that being the case, I would like to strongly recommend any readers of this silly review to purchase your own copy of Will Downing's " Greatest Love Songs " just to see for yourself how the 'love song' can indeed grow up when in the hands of a singer as strong yet oddly subtle as Mr. Downing is. Many years ago Smokey Robinson coined the phrase ' a Quiet Storm ' and I sometimes feel that he must have been thinking of Will Downing and this disc when originating that wonderful statement. Music that flows 'nice and easy' ( sorry Mr. Sinatra! ) with a warm, intimate glow about it. And a disc that, in some small way, grants me hope that love truly does exist for all of us in this often times difficult world we live. Thank-you and here's wishing all of you real, honest love."

Outstanding Wil

douglas barton | 03/07/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wil Downing is such gifted and talented singer. His music allows you to forget your troubles and dream about love. Get this CD you will LOVE it."

How good is Mr Will downing?

Warwick Merzo | Australia Sydney | 06/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Where do you start? He is a legend without no equal an absolute genius with the voice of an Angel. Each and every album is better than the last and Pleasures of the Night is arguably the best of the best. Do I think you should buy the New Will Downing Album?.... well in some respects.... Yes so you can enjoy the talent........... and in other respects.... No because to really apreciate the talent and the evolution of Will you must listen to each album from his first to the present. I am always a little paranoid that Will does not become lost to the commercial by demands from producers to produce main stream Junk.
So unless you have the required Soul Wisdom and Style to appreciate a Vocalist of this calibre...... then just stick to the Brian Mcnights, Joe,Luther,Eric Benet,Craig David, Donnell Jones,Avant,Glenn Jones,Charlie Wilson....... who are great....... but compared to Will Downing are second tier Artists as there is only one........... MR WILL DOWNING......"