Album: 20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection
Artist:
Will Downing
Release Date: 6/6/2006
Twelve tracks just aren't enough for a definitive overview of {$Will Downing}'s long career, but his entry in the {^20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection} series makes for an affordable, right-sized introduction to the singer if you're wondering whether or not to explore this {$Luther Vandross}-styled balladeer further. The song selection is well done and includes many great tracks -- the dreamy {&"Cool Water,"} his cover of {&"I Can't Make You Love Me"} -- that don't appear on the slightly better, yet dauntingly bigger collection, {^Greatest Love Songs}. Although it's an excellent, heartfelt performance, {$Downing}'s take on {$Angela Bofill}'s {&"I Try"} is a little too heavy to open the collection when something lighter and welcoming like {&"Free"} would have worked much better. On the other hand, {$Downing}'s show-stopping duet with {$Rachelle Ferrell} on {&"Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This"} is a fantastic closer. Stick the epic opener later into the collection and you've got an excellent way to familiarize yourself with this smooth crooner. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide