Classique

Will Downing | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 16, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Concord Records
• ASIN: B0026IZR48
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,302 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Taking his inspiration from the French term Classique - an author, artist or work of art, of the highest excellence - Will Downing returns with his 14th collection of sensual grooves and true love primers. Classique is his second album for Peak Records and a triumphant encore presentation following the challenges he faced creating his Peak debut, After Tonight (recorded while battling the muscle disorder Polymyositis). Back in top form, Downing's sensitive touch is felt throughout the project - singing, writing, arranging and producing, the latter mostly in collaboration with his dear friend and much-in-demand ace Rex Rideout. Uniquely gifted with an unmatched arsenal of velvet lows and silky falsetto highs, few can challenge the growing belief that this versatile crooner is the rightful heir to the Smooth R&B throne.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Will's romantic 'homage' to Old School Soul. For the hopelessly romantics., June 16, 2009

By 

ST "Easy Listener" (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classique (Audio CD)

The title may mislead his fans, since he sings and covers some classic songs, but the CD contains some good new, original stuff as well.
The Will Downing we all know has returned to where he started and where he belongs, giving audiences some very good music from his heart.
This is sultry soul, lounge style - an album from which characters in an early 1990s romantic comedy film could draw inspiration.
If you find this idea quite charming, then this album from the veteran American singer is for you.
It's suave, slightly cheesy and full, with more "I'm not your yesterday Baby, I'm your tomorrow" lyrics than you can shake a stick at.
It's hard to pick out any individual singles as they all fill a set format.
Will's lyrics aren't particularly on form, but this can be forgiven for those romantics out there.
He has gone back to his old school roots and brought back his signature sound and writing.
The album may remind you of a mix of Luther Vandross and Teddy Pendergrass, a lukewarm Barry White and a diluted Marvin Gaye on a recording that's smooth, passionate and emotive, but probably too much so...
No hip hop/Nu Soul diversions are allowed here.
This soul/jazzy album will appeal to his fans, and maybe convert some others as well, and of course anyone who likes jazzy, smooth vocals.
On "Classique" Will confirms that when it comes to romantic soul he has few peers.
You may like his covers of "I'm Gonna Love You A Little More Baby" and "Baby You're For Real", which Marvin wrote for The Originals and on which Will here duets with ex-Montclairs' member Phil Perry, who oversings here, going a little over the top.
Will has mixed his own compositions, the jazz tinged soulful ballads or mid tempo songs like "More Time", "Just Think About It", "Love Suggestions", "Ride", "I Won't Stop", and "Let's Take It Now" with the covers to really get you in the mood and to fuse a deep and soulfully sensual rack of tunes but sometimes it's too much.
We need to come up for air before drowning in a sea of conflicting emotions and, at times, of a rather boring and repetitive undertone.
It is the more uptempo "Something Special" that will be popular with the modern soul dancers.
Having said this, there's no mistaking his inimitable styling. Will is definitely a master of his art, and his two decades of promoting the many sides of R&B on a commercial front have earned him a well-deserved place with the "old school" artists
A blend of old school soul and jazzy vibes, this is a good album from a great artist, now thankfully recovered from his illness.
My favourite tracks: "Something Special", "I'm Gonna Love You A Little More Baby", "Baby I'm For Real".

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Will's back...doing what he does best., June 16, 2009

By 

Justo Roteta (Los Angeles, California United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Classique (Audio CD)

It's so good to have Will Downing give us such a great CD. His cover versions of The Originals' "Baby, I'm For Real" and Barry White's "I'm Gonna Love you just A Little Bit More, Babe" are beyond any reproach whatsoever and the original songs "I Won't Stop" and "Something Special" are pure butter. Hopefully, urban radio will give this CD much-deserved airplay as Will is most certainly one of today's best crooners and an artist who truly deserves greater exposure and recognition. This is romantic, heartfelt, emotional and soul-stirring music that will nourish your heart, soul and spirit. Enjoy!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Will Downing the Voice, June 16, 2009

By 

Kathleen Turner-oliver "Kathleen Turner" (Hayward, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Classique (MP3 Download)

All you need to know is that this is Will Downing doing what he does best. He is the voice of romance and sings songs that women what men to say to them.