to listen or purchase
I've heard more about Will Wheaton over the past couple years than I have actually heard from him, so I was very much looking forward to listening to Old School Soul. There's no question that Wheaton has a marvelous baritone voice, and Old School Soul affirms his role as one of the best purveyors of romantic soul today. Most common comparisons are to Luther Vandross, and both the dance song "Come On Everybody" and the beautiful ballad "Never Meant to Hurt You" would fit well in the Luther catalog. Those two cuts, along with the mid-tempo title cut make for a great beginning to Old School Soul. The disc falters a bit on a few faceless uptempo songs in the middle, but bounces back wonderfully on the striking ballad "When Nobody Gave a Damn," the acoustic number "Where Are You Now" and the fine "Any Other Way" (previ
I've heard more about Will Wheaton over the past couple years than I have actually heard from him, so I was very much looking forward to listening to Old School Soul. There's no question that Wheaton has a marvelous baritone voice, and Old School Soul affirms his role as one of the best purveyors of romantic soul today. Most common comparisons are to Luther Vandross, and both the dance song "Come On Everybody" and the beautiful ballad "Never Meant to Hurt You" would fit well in the Luther catalog. Those two cuts, along with the mid-tempo title cut make for a great beginning to Old School Soul. The disc falters a bit on a few faceless uptempo songs in the middle, but bounces back wonderfully on the striking ballad "When Nobody Gave a Damn," the acoustic number "Where Are You Now" and the fine "Any Other Way" (previously covered by the Manhattans). While Wheaton has more of an urban feeling to his music, his voice and sensibilities resemble Will Downing, and with Old School Soul he joins Downing among the leaders in bringing a first-rate, sophisticated sound to modern adult soul music. He's a real talent and Old School Soul is an album worth hearing. Recommended.
By Chris Rizik