- News & Reviews FeedWill Downing - Lust, Love & Lies (Advance Review)
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Clocking in at just shy of an hour and listing twenty tracks, Lust.... is straight-ahead R&B and may seem to be too much for one sitting, but it actually has a smooth and swift pace, with eleven actual songs and the rest being brief, conversational interludes. Listeners become proverbial flies on the wall as Dee Washington and Will Rollins meet (the upbeat "Glad I Met You Tonight"), get down on the dance floor (an atmospheric "Feelin' Alright") and decide to explore the initial connection further ("Get to Know You," "Tell Me"). As the tracks unfold, it's hard not to go back and time and relive that special time in your life with That Special Someone as you hear Will set the mood, declaring that in a twilight phone call that he wants to "make love to your mind....I know that you're a good girl, but if there's something you'd like to say, then please let it go/Please let it flow," only to completely flip the mood from sensual to sanctified as the new couple high-tails it to church the next morning ("Safe In His Arms," featuring Dave Hollister). Whether they've indulged their desires or narrowly avoided doing so, the gospel groove created by Mr. Downing and Mr. Hollister, fringed with just a dash of auto-tune, is worth the trip.
But, with all of the beating hearts and cupids hitting their mark, everyone knows that the bliss can't last forever, so here comes the Old Flame Vanessa, running into Mr. Rollins and letting him know that she's open for a catch-up conversation and whatever else may follow. The two of them partake in the renewed attraction and a little suggestive wordplay besides ("Shades") and, well, surely you can see where this is going: a messy friend and neighbor calls Dee to report what she's witnessed, who in turn goes off on Will and resists his efforts to explain (the plaintive "Do You Know") before putting their ‘thang' on ice. "At This Moment," a sweet (yet less than soaring) remake of the Billy Vera and The Beaters ballad, demonstrates his moment of heartbreak before he charges the experience to the game ("Coulda Been/Shoulda Been") and...um, don't look for a spoiler here, but suffice it to say that Mr. Rollins doesn't remain lonely for too long.Thanks to co-producers Rex Rideout and Chris "Big Dog" Davis, this latest collection is just as expertly assembled and silky-smooth as any of Mr. Downing's other efforts, and players like bassist Anthony Jackson and guitarist Randy Bowland anchor it all with their classic approach to musicality. The main instrument, Mr. Downing's baritone, remains as nimble and nuanced as ever, and though most of us have all been there, done that, and probably own more than a few T-shirts, Will's "audio novel" still has enough artful twists and turns to make experiencing his particular take on Lust, Love and Lies both welcomed and worthwhile . Recommended.
By Melody Charles
Comments
Heard some cuts from this
SoulCuts - August 24th, 2010
Heard some cuts from this last night on Gary Spence's Solar Radio show. Sounds pretty nice. Will was also in interview and came across as a top bloke with a great sense of humour.
I'm looking forward to hearing it. I wonder whether the conversational interludes will be as good as those heard on Alex o' Neal's Hearsay? ;)
Whatever Will Downing does
davis1259 - August 25th, 2010
Whatever Will Downing does is great! Will is a great talent in the music business who deserves all the recognition. His vocals are superb! This project like all the others will be nothing less than successful. Bravo Will Bravo!
Teresa M. Davis
The skill set of Will... Is
harkthepoet - August 25th, 2010
The skill set of Will...
Is something most of these new artist are attempting to master. He is a Songster of his own calibur, and for that he has my respect. Love his music.
There is only one... Will Downing.
Peace and Harmony
Live in Bliss....
yah sis...
HARK the Poet
Will is certainly one of my
soulboogie - September 1st, 2010
Will is certainly one of my favorite crooners, and news of a new collection of music from him made me jump for joy! I can't wait to hear what I anticipate to be a great album.
ain't nothing like a lil soul
I've pre-ordered this CD. I
ladyjfb - September 9th, 2010
I've pre-ordered this CD.
I love Will and I know that this will be an excellent CD. He can sing to me anytime. Well he does, I play him in my car all the time. Folks at work are so accustomed to me playing Will at my desk (I've made a collection of all his cds to date) that they stop by and sing along. Making new fans for ya Will!
Will Downing has done it
karenbragg - September 12th, 2010
Will Downing has done it again with a wonderful album Lust, Love & Lies that will get you into the mood, just in time before the leaves start to turn and you want to "Fall" into the arms of that special person in your life!!
Will Downing never
BedStyBorn - September 14th, 2010
Will Downing never disppoints! His voice is so silky smooth! Thank you Will Downing for sharing your voice, it's so good to hear real singing again.
Lust,Love and Lies will be added to my Will Downing collection.
