Fan Wall
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Dear all good people of the Joe Williams Yahoo group and any other music lover:
It's no secret that I never was a fan of Joseph's three recent covers albums. Yes, the vocal performances were great, as always is the case with Joseph. And most of the songs are obviously classics. But these albums still left me somewhat cold, despite there technically speaking being some good stuff on there. The Vertigo album were good, too. Still, I rarely played them and a quick look at my iTunes reveals that the last time I played a Vertigo track was back in mid-2006. There was something missing with the Vertigo albums, but I never really could point a finger at excactly what. But now I can:
This Fall is a JOSEPH WILLIAMS solo album. By that I mean an album written, sung and produced by Joe Williams, featuring some of the best guest the music biz has to offer. Emphasise WRITTEN. What I missed on the Vertigo albums and the covers albums were Joe's songs.
Joe Williams is in fact one of my favourite songwriters. He has an impeccable taste for melody, he knows what will move the masses and he can write good lyrics, too. The lyrics usually make or break a song for me, and some of the songs on his 1990's solo albums - not to mention some of the songs that were never released - prove that Joseph and his preferred co-writers can write words like the best of 'em. Combine that with a great song, and you really do have classic. That's why I think One Imperfect Heart is one of the greatest songs ever written by anyone. And I have 29 000 of 'em in my iTunes. And then take songs like Man in Me, Children of the Future, If I Seem to Wonder, Maybe You'd Care and She's Gone, and you realise Joseph is a very underrated songwriter. And I still haven't mentioned any of his Toto songs!!
Which leads me to This Fall. Easily. It's easily one of my five favourite albums released this year, the others being Lukather's, Marillion's, Steven Wilson's (Porcupine Tree) and No-Man's new albums. No small feat then. This Fall is full of highlights. In fact, I don't know where to start. Obviously, the two songs that kick off the album are instant classics. The title track is as good as anything that is on Lukather's album. Do Ya is a Toto song, moreso than many other Toto songs. It really is a best of both worlds track, because you get a dose of Joe anno 1988, adding Kimball's and Paich's LEAD vocals. It's a song that kind of portrays Toto as Dave and Jeff wanted Toto to be: a rock and roll band with multiple lead singers. Somewhere Jeff is smiling in approval at this amazing track!
Then there's a song like Wonder at All. It takes me right back to the I Am Alive album, only that it has real drums! I suspect this is one of the more personal songs that Joseph has ever penned and, as such, he really made sure it was perfect. Most definitely an album hightlight, as is She Walked. Joe's a huge fan of the Beatles and he's shown before that he can do the Beatles with the best of them. Everywhere I Go was one of my favourite songs from 3 and She Walked picks up right were that song left. It's simply amazing and Joe shows how he can vocally imitate anyone. You'd swear you were hearing McCartney singing this...
I Know What I Know is classic Gruska. Dirty Little War was one of my favourite songs off I Am Alive, and I also think there were some good things on Gruska's 1984 solo album Which One of Us Is Me, though that album was production-wise pretty much a misfire. I Know What I Know proves what a great songwriting team Joe and Jay are, which is also one of the reasons Joe's debut album from 1982 is a classic.
There are still a bunch of the BOND tracks I would love to hear someday, such as What She Wants, There She Goes, Mirror, Need a Miracle, Girl is an Island, Eyes, Come On, Loving You's a Habit (OK, I've heard that one...), How to Steal a Million and Cry on My Shoulder. In other words: here's hoping that Mark and Joe will finish the Bond album one day. In the meantime, there are three Bond tracks on This Fall. Don't Pull the Plug is classic Williams Brothers, combining fantastic vocals and a rich percussion track with excellent songwriting (oh, the lyrics!!). And there's Tell Me Something New, which reminds me so much of Lionel's Dad that I instantly pulled out In a Dream after first hearing it. Having always been a huge fan of Mark and Joe singing together, as on Top Down Girl, I am thoroughly enjoying the vocals on Tell Me Something New. Which reminds me - I still await Joe's take on Mark's classic There's Something about You, which is also one of my favourite songs ever.
Saving the best for last, there's the third BOND track. If I Seem to Wonder was first recorded and released by Mark as Lionel's Dad in 1995. I remember receiving a cassette copy of that album on 22 December 1996 (thanks a million, Jerry Oliver!!!) and If I Seem to Wonder was one of the tracks that stood out on the album, although the entire album is still in my top #10 list of the greatest albums ever recorded and released (above The Seventh One, in fact!). Come 22 November 2008 and there I was hearing a new rendition of If I Seem to Wonder, although re-titield Yeah, Yeah, Yeah / If I Seem to Wander. Needless to say, Mark's email describing how Joe had initially sung the choruses of that song for the Bond album in 1990 was basically pornography to me. And when I read the tracklist on Nick's website I was almost crying. I WAS crying when I first played Joe's version of this track. Having his daughter Hannah on there was not only a good idea, but it provided the song with a whole other dimension. Then there's obviously the Williams family connection, which I guess they're rightfully proud of. Oh, and Bobby and Joe doubling lines in there... yes, more of that please! 115 plays in iTunes/iPod over the course of two and a half weeks pretty much suggest how much I love Joe's version, alongside Mark's excellent original (the first version officially released, anyway).
The bottom line: this is Joseph Williams' best solo album to date. What more is there to say? Those of you who haven't heard this yet are in for a real treat! The songs are great and vocally, Joe is at the top of his game. Just like Richard Page's recent Christmas song, Joe proves that great singers only get better!
What an utter fantastic album This Fall is!!
Morten (08/12/08)
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Hi Nick!
Even though I
bought the album "IV" by Toto it wasn't until "The
Seventh One" that I really discovered the band. And the main
reason was of course Joseph Williams and his amazing voice! I
remember the record was played over and over again and my
favourite song was "Stop Loving You" with that
wonderful back beat, it really makes you wanna dance. Actually,
up until this very day when asked about my favourite song of all
times I chose "Stop Loving You". I also bought "Fahrenheit"
to be able to hear more of JW. I even joined the Toto Fanclub but
as soon as I found out that JW had left the band I left the fan
club. Toto wasn't the same without Joseph! Of course I was
curious about what he would do next. It took a few years then
I discovered he sang the part of Simba in the Lion King. Of
course I went out and bought the CD.
Recently I took out my old vinyl of "Seventh One" and
played that record again and I am astonished how well the songs
have stood the test of time. And I still remember all the lyrics. Was
curious about the whereabouts of Joseph, but after the Lion King
I didn't know what had happened to him. So I started looking on
the Internet for some information and found this site. And here I
learned a lot that I didn't know before. And it is so perfect in
its construction. However, I would love some more photos of
Joseph...
Anyway, my next project is
to buy the Vertigo albums - just to hear his voice on some newer
material. And his solo album "Two of Us". From the
track list I can see that all the songs he has chosen are some of
my favourites too.
Keep up the good work, Nick,
with this web site. I will come back regularly to see what news
there are about Joseph.
Regards
Bodil Proos (29/07/06)
(Sweden)
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Hi Joe and Nick
I really feel lead to just
share with you guys ! As musicians and music lovers we are a
funny bunch....however we connect on the same level in one way or
another. To me Joseph Willliams has been a mystery for a
long time....as the voice of that band I always heard but never
paid much attention too as a kid...too much a-ha at the time(not
a bad thing mind you). There was always some quality or sound of
Joe and Toto I just loved and finding this site and finding Joe
here has made my music journey so much more complete, if it wasn't
for you Joe I wouldn't have given Toto the time of day and lost
out musicaly....As a fellow singer/song writer I truly
admire you as a musician and artist. Thank you for being who you
are and singing the positive message in your songs which so much
of the new music today lacks !
Thanks Nick for the site and keeping all of us so well informed....looking
fwd to the new Vertigo and Solo album.
regards
Al Andrew (19/05/06)
(South Africa)
www.alandrew.co.za
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hello,
The only thing i want to say...... and what i'm gonna say now
comes from the top of my heart, and from the bottom of my soul.
Joseph williams makes toto complete, and i hope he goes back to
them, and make a new record!
Just like the seventh one !
I hope that my wish comes true!
take care,
Erik Speelman (18/04/06)
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Nick,
PLEASE write that hangin' and playin with Joe was such a groove!
He is better than EVER and I have missed his presence and his
awesome vibe and humour and it just felt like no time has passed.
He is singing his ASS off and I see us doing more in the future
ALL of us together. Bobby and Joe and I and now Greg have an
amazing blend vocally and look out for the 30th anniversary tour
and more collaborations in the future. Funny how time and growing
up and ALL of us forgiving and moving forward makes so much sense
and is so positive! Thats what happened with Bobby and us, Joe
was a huge part of our success post Toto IV and Joe and I go back
to high school and he is an awesome musician and probably the
funniest cat I have ever known. I LOVE getting older so I can go
back and try and fix what went wrong. I was no saint, believe me
so when *I* was throwin shit at Bobby and Joe and whomever, I was
guilty too. I am sorry for that and the greatest thing about life
and getting older is that we can ALL look at ourselves and say
" I'm sorry" and mean it! It's very cool and I am very
happy about all that has gone down in last year with all that
negative shit being behind us. More great music to come.
Life is a trip.
God Bless
Luke
Steve Lukather (14/04/06)
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Hi Nick!
It's so great to see a site that promotes an artist. I like how you managed to keep all your news up to date so we know about everything that's going on. Keep up the good work! I'm sure that Joseph would appreciate it.
John Smith (14/11/05)
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Hi Nick
Since I started the group in January your web site
has been the source of inspiration and I wouldn’t have gone
very far without the information I got from your site.
TOTO and especially the songs sung by Joseph have always been the
nr 1 music for me. I used to buy all TOTO records until Joseph
left the group. At the time there was no Internet so I
didn’t know what happened to Jo. Also the next album
didn’t sound like old band at all and I somewhat lost my
interest for 15 years, can you believe?
Out of the blue my daughter became Joseph fan last Christmas when
she happened to find my old VHS tapes and the vinyls. Joseph is
her first love! She kept asking me about Jo so I started looking
around the Net to find her some pics and music. I have renewed my
love for Joseph too and I have been an addict for a long time now.
I have been gathering every single pic and drop of info. I have
also found his solo albums and unreleased demos and lots of
friends that share the love for Joseph’s voice. Joseph sings
like an angel and it’s a pity he hasn’t made more solo
albums, but I have a feeling that we’re going to hear more
from him in the future.
I’m so glad to hear he’s going to be in the next TOTO
album. It is something we have been waiting for years! I am also
eager to hear the new Vertigo2 album. Thank you Joseph for the
enjoyment you give in our lives! We love you!
Kristina (08/08/05)
the club mom of http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JosephWilliams/
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Hi Nick,
It is almost a year since I wrote some sentences on the Fan Wall
of Joseph.
I keep on listening several Toto songs from time to time. I have
to confess you that the songs sung by Joseph are my favourite
ones. This can be due to his co-writing and singing performence,
too. I am convinced that Toto lost a lot of their power by not
having Joseph in the line-up!
'Can't Stop Loving You' is my favourite song. It has really
everything; power, melody, emotions and great performance by
Joseph and the band. 'Pamela' and 'Till the End' are coming
closely behind 'Can't Stop Loving You'. However, 'Can't Stop
Loving You' has some extra message for me. I realized that when
driving in my car with my little son who is not yet 3 years old,
he sings the chorus together with Joseph. Of course, with minor
major mistakes. He naturally knows what good is!!!
Hope to hear from you and about Joseph soon
György Márkus
(21/06/05)
Hungary
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Hi Nick,
I have just discovered the site and, as in love with California
and the Californian Rock', it is superfluous of saying that I am
content with the "new spot"...After Huey Lewis &
The News, Toto was the second band which I saw in concert and,
that it is for (almost) all the albums, joined together or in
solo (and even in their many participations of this from there),
I enormously appreciate these genious musicians (which one too
often named simple "musicos of studio"! pouah!). So,
Toto also took part actively in the choice of the occupation
which I followed during many years: "to play the discs to
the antenna". (thank you Toto...).
Your site is really very informative (as Romain underlined it)
and pleasant; Surfing is easy there (what is not always the case).
I like the interview of Joseph particularly. He goes without
saying that the titles of yesterday, today and tomorrow turn,
will turn on California-101 and that, if it misses titles, it is
a question of time.
"Keep up the good Work" Nick and see you soon,
François Achard
(09/04/05)
www.california101radio.com
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Hi Joseph and
Nick and Everyone,
When you
read my lines, start meditating about the past.... Joseph came to Toto when the band needed
to be pumped up. Joseph brought a new sound, new colours for the
group.
Listening to
all Toto recordings we have to state that songs like 'Till the
End', 'Pamela', 'Can't Stop Loving you' and of course 'Africa' as
well as 'I'll be Over You' are the ones we like and listen to and
will always remember. I clearly see that after Joseph's
departure a less successful period set in in the life of the band
that lasted until the album 'Mindfields'. It seems to me that
after 'Can't Stop Loving You' we had to wait a decade for a
really good song 'Melanie'. And we have been waiting for an even newer
one since 1999.....
Joseph is
really a huge talen! When people talk about who was the best Toto
singer of all times, we have to state that all of them were
excellent. However, I would go one step further... I am convinced
he is one of the greatest voices of the rock music. He is on my
hit list on which you can find Robert Plant, Graham Bonnet and
Glenn Hughes. It is still a secret
to me why he left the band after a very successful period. Joseph! Get rid of your moustache and beard and fascinate
us and the world of music! Sooner than later Toto will
knock at your front door.....
György Márkus (30/08/04)
Hungary
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Hello,
I was just
wondering if there's been any indication whether Joseph will be
rejoining Toto in the near future? He's my favourite singer,
and I think it would be really cool to see both Bobby and Joseph
on stage singing their respective hit songs.
This is an awesome website, by the way. Keep up the
good work!
Thanks.
Mike Riley (02/06/04)
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Hi Nick,
This site is really full of information. Moreover, the welcome
and the navigation are quite pleasant. But, truly what's more
important is that you quickly answer questions we can ask
you via mail. Go on!
Thanks.
Romain. (31/03/04)
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Hi Nick
Fantastic website, great to see one about the best rock singer of
all time.
I got into him after the brilliant "Seventh One". His
voice is just superb,
what more can I say.
Richard Collins. (05/02/04)
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Hi Nick!
I just found
your website in support of Joseph! He's a great musician, actually one of the best
vocalists that is around! One of my number one's! I love his
voice and have all his albums :-) His "Goin' Home" with both Bobby Kimball
and Fergie Frederiksen is a true masterpiece!!! Take good care,
and keep bringing the news about Joseph, I will be back!
Cheers!
Klaus Jakobsen, Webmaster The Official Fergie Frederiksen Website (30/01/04)
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The site on
Joseph Williams is wonderfull !
For me, Joseph is the best singer than TOTO had. Moreover, Joseph
proved to us his enormous talent with his albums solos ! What a
voice !!
Live TOTO and Joseph !
Bruno (29/01/04)
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What can I say about this man? Joseph Williams is a vocalist from the bottom of his heart. When he starts singing I feel that special connection to him and I feel save. When I started hearing TOTO I was fascinated by Bobby Kimball and his voice, he is for sure a great singer. But then I got the album FAHRENHEIT and I started thinking in other ways, I got the Joseph Williams Fever. I don´t have to say what I felt when THE SEVENTH ONE came out. I have great respect for his other work, the film music and other projects he joined. But for me the name Joseph Williams stand for the hottest singer in the world. And I know he is a soloartist, but forgive me when I say I love TOTO but for me TOTO is complete with Joseph Williams.
I hope that my greatest wish will come true and I get to see him in the near future.
Tamara from Austria (24/12/03)
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Cheer Nick! Your site about Joseph Williams is a very good initiative. Like you, I discovered TOTO with album “IV” and Joseph with "Fahrenheit". Although he is not my favourite artist, I highly appreciate his album "I'am alive" and his sessions with Toto. I hope that you will obtain news about his projects without too many difficulties ("Project Bond"?? "Beautiful music"??). Otherwise, the site is clear and graphically of good taste, what is not the case of his US site. Good luck and thank you for what you do for the fans.
Arnaud , Webmaster The West Coast Rendez-Vous Website (16/12/03)
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Thank you Nick, I thank you for making me discover "West Coast All Stars" which I was searching in vain. Anyway, as for me, I was very carried away by this group (I wait to listen to the rest of the titles impatiently)... all the best!
Younes (07/12/03)
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Cheer! A real site about Joseph Williams missed. It is done thanks to one of his biggest fan. Thank you Nick for this quality work and all the assistance which you brought to totoweb.org, a great cheer again and above all thank you!
Jérôme, your friend and totoweb.org's webmaster (07/12/03)
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Hi Nick !
Thanks a lot for this! Very appreciated!
Cheers, Mario (Frontiers Records) (03/11/03)
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Hi Nick !
Very beautiful website! Congratulations!
Cheer again
for this splendid website :-))
Frédéric Slama (AOR) (31/10/03)
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Very nice website, which, I hope, will develop, being enriched with various news, photographs etc....... The voice of Joseph is really incredible. Personally I cannot associate the voice and the person. I like very much "more than enough" and "Not enough hours in the night" (that feels TOTO).......... The musicians are good but I do not know them more than that, a very good guitarist, this Joseph know how to be very good surrounded. I hope to find a lot of pictures, news... Thank you, because in fact, it’s because of you that I got to like the West Coast, and a bit because of Joseph........ Site classified in FAVOURITES.
A+ DIMITRI (30/10/03)
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