Feasting With Panthers

William Topley | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 15, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Lost Highway
• ASIN: B00005UJTM
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #86,560 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

William Topley certainly isn't the first British boarding-school student to fall hard for American blues, rock, and soul listening to the BBC. Nor is he the best to have turned his early infatuation into a well-traveled career. On this, his fourth album, he lends his supple baritone to 12 songs that fall somewhere between John Hiatt at his most self-effacing and Mark Knopfler on a story-telling bender. The tracks that satisfy most are the ones that take deep, mostly American roots and add an interesting variation, such as the dancehall/hip-hop delivery that punctuates "Soul I Want," the Spanish-intro, low-key funk of "Los Largos," and the narrative specificity of "Drake's Drum." Where Topley falls short is on songs like "I Can't Wait" and "Closer to You," which are as prodding and predictable as their titles--as if Topley is singing someone else's clichés. Feasting with Panthers is solid and dependable as a plate of comfort food which, depending your appetite, is either its lure or its weakness. --Keith Moerer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Panthers Might Bite You!, April 22, 2003

By 

Samuel M. Hill (Nogales, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Feasting With Panthers (Audio CD)

I have never reviewed a CD before, but I've inspired to spend a few minutes to give my opinion after 1,000 or more listens to this particular disc.

If you've never heard of William Topley, take a chance on this disc. It's simply fantastic stuff. Of all of the "unknown" artists I've ever picked out of a CD bin, he's the best, and this CD is the best of all of his work.

At first his deep voice took some getting used to, and then I couldn't get enough of it. I don't have a bad thing to say about the entire album and it is definitely one of my favorites of ALL TIME.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blows you away, July 6, 2006

By 

R. Kyle (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Feasting With Panthers (Audio CD)

When you first hear Topley's baritone, you're wondering who the heck is this? I thought Richard Thompson-only a little more rocked out and bluesy. Friends said Hiatt, Dr. John, etc. The more you listen, the more you identify Topley for what he is, British roots with American soul overlaid.

Is there a best song on the album? I liked most: "Los Largo" with its amazing Spanish intro will blow you away. "Soul Into You" is a great dance, funk. This group of songs is eclectic and fun--with stories mixed in--overall, a very good listen and worthy of your time.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You have to hear this album, November 16, 2004

By 

paintpop "james" (london england) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Feasting With Panthers (Audio CD)

I have listened to Wiliam Topley and the Blessing since they began and in my opinion there is no better artist writing or recording at the moment. If you have never heard of William you must take a chance on this CD. I have purchased Prince of the Deep Water 15 times because when i lend it out I don't get it back. This album will be the same way, his best work yet. 'No excuses' on first listen is a very classy track with a reggae feel but after a few listens it will bring you to tears as will So Bright. The man is "blessed" with a voice described by Aretha Franklin's producer as "The best he has ever heard" and the writing lives up to the vocal. The man is a genius.