Falling Forward

Willy Porter

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 24, 1999)
• Original Release Date: August 24, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Six Degrees
• ASIN: B00000JZ2R
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #119,858 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Voted musician of the year in his native Wisconsin, Willy Porter combines stellar guitar skills with a gruff sincerity to create convincing songs about love, loss, and mystery. Not easy to pigeonhole, Porter has the talent that fits Six Degrees Records' stated goal of "breaking down the walls between the genres, creating unique, accessible recordings that combine elements from many worlds." Elements in Porter's songs range from earthy, heartfelt pop to mild funk imbued with a twinge of country. His primary appeal is his voice, which has a little Darius Rucker, a little Tracy Chapman, and a lot of earnest conviction. On Falling Forward's only instrumental cut, "Road Bone," his 12-string workout recalls the work of Leo Kottke and John Fahey. Willy Porter is a musician with a lot going for him. --Wally Shoup

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Falling Forward creates a striking balance, December 15, 1999

By	Lucky Eddie (KY USA) - See all my reviews

Falling Forward reaches that perfect balance of production and vitality that creates an accurate and supurb picture of the talent of one (in my opinion) of America's greatest singer/songwriters. Falling Forward is a solid album all the way from the first note of Mystery to the last chord of Somebody Else. It is chocked full of the purely blinding guitar talent that Willy Porter wields so gracefully. This next evolutionary step in Willy's music is just stunning. It has beautifully crafted and thoughtfull lyrics combined with the afore mentioned trademark guitar work. Definately worth haveing. See this artist live if you possibly can! Buy all of his albums! Go out of your way, it will be worth it! http://www.willyporter.com

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 3rd Time's a Charm, January 21, 2000

By	"dr_angi" (Milwaukee, WI USA) - See all my reviews

An amazing performer, not just a recording artist, Willy Porter's live shows are warm, memorable and always offer something new. The same is true of his albums. Willy's warm soothing voice has a husky quality which sounds richer than ever on this latest release. His band adds a textured accompaniment but still leaves room to showcase Willy's skills on guitar. There are some great tracks here, the first 4 being immediate favorites, but every track on this album offers something to remember. The lyrics are full of lingering images, the guitar-picking on Road Bone dazzling. Lilting rhythms on Sowelu add to its floating feeling carried by the chorus "Fly butterfly...into the sky..." Buy this album now, you'll love it. But see him live, he'll leave you awe-struck.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like hearing Mozart perform, July 18, 2001

By	Roger Townsend (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been blessed to see Willy Porter in concert four times in the past few months. He is an incredibly (I use that word literally) great acoustic guitarist, a marvelous singer, and a gifted songwriter. He also has an excellent sense of humor from the stage, and seems to be (from a few conversations I've had with him) to be a really nice, self-deprecating guy. He is definitely the most talented young musician I have heard/seen in my nearly half century of living. This album highlights his singing and songwriting. Backed by a band, his tremendous guitar work is somewhat stifled on many of the songs. Nevertheless, it is an album that I play several times a week because of its sheer beauty. After the last concert at which I saw him, my friends and I decided that this must be what it felt like watching Mozart perform. I encourage you not only to listen to this CD, but also to see Willy live whenever you can. His talent is essentially unlimited, as Jeff Beck, Paul Simon, Sting, and Jethro Tull all have recognized by inviting him to open for them on tour.