Customer Reviews

Spanish Wells

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

His best solo effort to date. The tunes stay with you after just one listen, which won't be the last. Topley is an absolute treasure in an age of marketing and insincerity.

I discovered William Topley's music last fall and since then have purchased several of his albums, but this one is my favorite. His melodies and sometimes haunting lyrics will stay with you. Have a listen - you won't be disappointed.

William Topley could probably sing the alphabet and people would buy his albums. When it comes to voices, his is powerful and soulful, almost hypnotic. He conveys a lot of emotion through his deep baritone. Add in the great music that backs his voice and strong lyrics, and you have another good album from Topley and crew.

"Spanish Wells" has such a good feel to it, you'll get caught up in the images that Topley paints. "Ten Ten" begins this journey with a good beat and Topley's unique voice. Throw in the Jamaican dialect to create a mosaic of sound and images. Then, he's right there to bring tears to your eyes with his ballad "Nothing Else Matters" with his stunning voice over an acoustic solo-arpeggio guitar. His voice is mournful throughout the whole song, even when the drums and slide-guitar step in. "Kingston Morning" makes you feel that you're watching the sun rise in that Caribbean town. Add "I Am the Man" with it's Reggae back-beat, and the vision is complete. "Cowpoke" closes the album with an almost Native-American sounding tune that focuses mostly on his vocal range. The drums and flute give it a bit of a haunting sound, providing the perfect backdrop for his crooning.

I'm impressed with this offering from Topley. There are very few lyricists who can top his sound, and his albums are just fun to listen to. If you have heard Topley before, this is another one to pick up. If you don't know who he is, pick this one up, and be ready for a vocal experience.

This is one of my top 5 favorite albums of all time. Nuff Said. If you don't like this you got no pulse. Buy it now.

The voice will grab you first. Deep & throaty, full of passion, raw & tough. You'd bet money he was from the South. You'd be wrong. Try England. The melodies are like no other. Think warm sun-kissed beach, on the water; the way you feel then is how you'll feel when you listen to this man's music. Goosebumps. It makes you feel good.

With the old "tastes-like-chicken" way of thinking, how do you describe this guy? His fresh, full sound is a combination of styles: Plenty of Van Morrison and Bruce Springstein with a good amount of Robert Palmer and Warren Zevon, a hint of Joe Cocker, Seal and yes, the lyrical Joni Mitchell. Ten years after he is at once brash, strong and sublime.
On this CD, he writes or collaborates on every song except Cowpoke. Nothing Else Matters has to be the sweetest and saddest song about lost love. In a perfect world the masses would take more notice of this powerful talent. There's plenty of good stuff here.

This album is a must have. I am a music addict and William Topley is simply stunning. If you are reading this and thinking about making a purchase, do it!

okay, william, darling, you've had your "court and spark" and it's poignant and we bought it and we play it because we've been there. come on sweetheart, you got more, show me you got more.