Sunday, January 4, 2015

“If You Went Away” by Daniel Wilson – A Song Review

     I still remember hearing the statement, but not the person who made it - an observer-of-life comedian perhaps. The statement was, “During everyone’s life, they know at least one person named Billy Williams.” Indeed, at that time I personally knew one and was aware of another who played an important role in the history of the Chicago Cubs and another who was an umpire in Major League Baseball. A poet, an actor (Billy Dee Williams), an R&B singer from the past….  
     Well, the steam of Billy Williams seems to have slowed after the observation was made. The updated statement might be with regard to the name Daniel/Danny/Dan Wilson. For Indie Obsessive, the latest entry is a 23 year old from Ypsilanti, Michigan. In the United States, Daniel Wilson is positioned today where Sam Smith was at this time last year. That is, he is a vocalist with power and remarkable purity when in the falsetto range, he is quickly building on his musical resume, and he is deserving of more attention. Sam Smith is getting plenty of attention now - Hello Mr. Wilson.

     “If You Went Away” begins in an unassuming manner. We certainly can’t sing like Wilson, but we can handle the piano during the first 45 seconds. No, we don’t play piano. But listen to the 45 seconds and see if you don’t feel the same – give us one hour of practice and we can nail it. However, by the end of the song, we are almost as impressed by the mix of instruments as we are by the vocal skills of the Daniel Wilson from Ypsilanti.
     “If You Went Away” by Daniel Wilson

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