Customer Reviews

All the Man You Need

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

As a long time fan of one of the most underrated vocalists in music today i was excited to hear that he was releasing a new album now with his 8th album.. Maybe Will Downing will get the recognition this man so right deserves.. His new album All The Man You Need is simply superb it's kinda of an departure from his previous work where he mixes jazz with r&b overtones.. This effort is more on the r&b side .. Will is just showing another side to him on this effort it doesnt matter if he's doing the more jazz oriented material or r&b .. This man is still turning out good quality music among the highlights on an terrific CD Summer Day, One of the most incredible duets in a while his duet with Chante Moore on the tune When You Need Me. If you like his duet he had with Rachel Ferrell you will certainly love this one.. Everytime It's Rain, All The Man You Need, Share My World , Tired Melody this tune finds Will going back to his Jazz / r&b roots all these tunes mentioned are GREAT! .. If you are a truly a Will Downing fan you will add this to your collection.. Will keep doing what you doing brotha turned out good quality music

Will Downing is one of the more underrated singers in the industry. I think this cd has more R&B appeal than some of his previous albums. At first I did not really care for this cd it leaned too much into a Joe or Gerald Levet realm for me. I thought if I want to hear Joe or Gerald then that's what I will play. I always liked Will for his mellow jazzy sound, but after I listened to it for the second time I was hooked. I especially like the song "When you Need Me" with Chante Moore, and "Evertime it Rains" is my favorite song on the whole cd. Also other tracks that stand out are "Real Soon", "Grandma's Hands", and "Love of My Life". So even though this cd has more R&B than his previous cd's it is still the Will that we all know and love. This cd is smoooooooth!

Will Downing is one of my favourite vocalists. I had the chance tom see him live a year ago at the Civic Centre (Atlanta), together with Gerald Albright, Phil Perry and Vesta, and this man isn't fake (he did a fantastic version of Marvin Gaye's "you sure love to ball"). I was really in ecstasy at the end of the show.

When I knew his new CD was coming out, I got it almost immediately. The impression I get from it is that it is very very classy, as almost always with this man. True that compareed to his previous release, this is less jazzy, but don't forget that "Invitation only" was also a tribute to Art Porter. "All the man you need" will fully satisfy those who are looking for an album with a voice that caresses you from the beginning to the end (the title track or "thinking about you" are good examples of what I call S-S-S, Smooth-Sharp-Sexy). Most people seem to like the duet with Chante Moore, though I must say it doesn't capture me that much, probably because his duet with Rachelle Ferrell was much more explosive (even the duet with Bridgette Williams on the day of the concert mentioned above was more electric). Making his own version of "Grandma's Hands" (remember Bill Withers' ?) is a strong challenge Will takes with success (I insist, that is NOT easy).

Having said this, the only negative thing I can say about this cd is that it should have a bit more tempo, like "Tired melody", or "Share my world", an extraordinary tune. I would not like to see Will get locked exclusively into slow jams in his future albums, and become sort of a crooner before time. In the meantime we will continue to enjoy the albums of this unique vocalist.

This one is truly for the ladies. I have never quite understood why commercial success has been so elusive for this wonderful vocalist. I bought this cd, why? Because it was Will Downing and he has special listening status in my life. I don't HAVE to hear the cd before I buy it. I'll buy it and then listen. I haven't been disappointed yet and this cd is what romance is all about. "Summer Day" gave me chills and it wasn't because the air conditioner was too cold. "When You Need Me" with Chante' Moore is exquisite. "All The Man You Need" makes a most convincing argument for me. This cd is what the old days of romance are about. I'm sick of tired lyrics about what we do in the bedroom. "All The Man You Need" reminds me of why the men we choose were chosen in the first place. After all, love is all we need! This is a wonderful cd and this may give him the crossover appeal he was looking for. He's on a new label, he's written or co-written just about everything and I'm telling you, you do not want to pass this cd up! If you want to sit close and cuddle with the one you love or even slow dance. This is the cd for you!

I love me some Will Downing...okay! Some think Luther is the king of the makeover song, but they have not heard or appreciated Will's interpretation of a song and making it his own. For example, "I Try," "Wishing on a Star," "Girl Blue," "You Sure Love to Ball" and a country song, "I go Crazy." The man is tough! This cd is much more r and b inspired and based on the reviews of other consumers I bought the cd and was glad I did. I bought it at Will's concert in the bay area jazz club Kimball's East and let me tell you, if you haven't seen Will live, you are missing a great performer. You will not regret purchasing this cd, however my fave from Will is A Dream Fulfilled!

Of course, I enjoy all of Will's stuff, but this CD was not his usual, soul searching, bone chilling, wanna hit it with your favorite mate sounds. I usually put in Will and all my blues, stress and anxiety disappear, but not with this CD. I have everything Will has ever made and sang on (even CD's that are not his own), so I think that makes me an expert on the Will Downing sound. I love his voice immensely, but this one just does not hit it for me yet. I will keep listening and inform you later. Maybe it will grow on me!

Much love to Will, "All the Man You Need," is truly all the WD you need. Tracks 4, 7, & 11 are classic Will and any true Dowing lover will appreciate this CD. He did a few new things, and I ain't mad at him, but I'll never tire from the Will that makes a night something to remember and a memory something you'll never forget. WD's music makes loving more special each time and takes you back to particular moments in time that are forever etched in your heart and soul. A must have in the collection.

This a very good CD, althought I must admit that I may be a bit biased because there is something about Will's voice that ... I won't go into all of that here but whether I'm on my way to work, cooking dinner or simply chilling around the house, I love to groove with Will. His voice is so incredibly smooth and very sensual.

Will Downing's latest CD is filled with the hip-hop that flavors a lot of music today, however, there is a difference. The difference is that he can sing it and make it work. The music is not overpowering and it still remains in the style that makes him head above shoulders over most of the male vocalist swimming in the crooner's pool. Mr. Downing is right up there with Luther Vandross, Gerald Levert, James Ingram, Jeffrey Osborne, and Johnny Gill as one of Black Music's premere male performers. This disc would have been weak with lesser talent. With Will, it made the grade and then some.

Will Downing never ceases to amaze. This is the most underrated artist out there. With this album he has truly come into his own. The duet with Chante Moore is banging. I just hope more people come behind this brother, who is really creating music. I like the direction that Will is moving in. Just don't go to far to the left.