Search - William Topley :: Black River

I fell in love at first listen.

drea | Las Vegas, NV USA | 05/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My sister introduced me to the wonderful sound of William Topley last year when I was looking for something different from the radio friendly garbage that is out there. From the first word out of his mouth I was completely and utterly hooked! I can't get enough of his beautiful voice, captivating lyrics and amazing soul. "Black River" is probably my favorite William Topley cd but that's only because it's the one I acquired first. "Sink Like A Stone", "Drink Called Love", "The Ring" "Black River" and "I Don't Wanna Go Uptown" are stand out songs for me but there really isn't a single bad song in this collection. If you haven't tried William Topley yet, don't miss out on this great performer. If you've tried this cd and want to expand your collection, all of the William Topley cd's are worth purchasing. He doesn't do bad music. Ever."

Soulful, rich, and refreshing

jtwendt@aol.com | Denver, Colorado | 03/05/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a new William Topley listener, I am perplexed that I had never heard of him or The Blessing before last year. Their debut album, The Prince of Deep Water, was released in 1991. I can only imagine that it was not marketed very well, what with songs like, "Hurricane Room" and "I Want You", indeed his melodies are infectious! The more you listen, the more you want. Their subtle musical changes, intricate guitar licks, along with William Topley's rich voice provide an undeniable mixture of musical sophistication. With wide-reaching influences, from the Rolling Stones to traditional Jamiacan beats, The Blessing, and more specifically, William Topley, have experimented and succeeded. After listening to one album, I quickly bought The Blessing's second release, Locusts and Wild Honey. I was amazed with his song writing. "Singer's Shoes" tops off a stellar effort. Topley then went on his own, releasing Black River and then Mixed Blessings. Both have numerous, would-be hits had his label backed then at all. He has caught much critical acclaim for his talent, especially over-seas. It is a shame that America has missed out on these wonderful abilities. Everyone I know in the business respects The Blessing and William Topley. His albums are a must have for any music enthusiast who knows great music, without the hype."

Outstanding

jtwendt@aol.com | 12/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There is much that could be said about William Topley, but just a few things really stand out to make all of his work remarkable. He has a fantastic voice - honest, emotional, and powerful. He creates songs with lyrics and tunes that are unique and full of life and imagery. Black River is an outstanding solo album, and once you have heard songs like "The Ring", and "That's My Right" I am sure you will agree."