Feature Artist WILLIAM TOPLEY

A Blessing Undisguised

By Donn Jehs

Back in the late eighties, a band called "The Blessing" released it's only album, "Prince of the Deep Water," which featured a soulful, deep-voiced singer named William Topley. With a sound that mixed delta blues, reggae and a touch of gospel, the band was the equivalent of an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel put to music - a dark and steamy look at tropical and southern life. Like the silt- filled water of the Mississippi, the music is rich and slow moving at times, at others like the raging waters of the flood tide. Passionate, engrossing, even hypnotic, many fell under it's sway. But the realities of life dried up the musical river without the band's second album, "Locusts and Wild Honey," ever being released. Nearly a decade later, Topley returned with a solo effort that brought it back to life with "Dark River," and it made him one of the most popular adult radio voices of '97, with three top 20 hits on the AAA charts. Topley was the first step outside the boundaries of country for the Mercury Nashville label, and their acumen has been rewarded. This summer Topley rerecorded songs from both Blessing albums, and his solo effort to give us "Mixed Blessing," including four new songs with them. As Topley says, "Just because a record's life cycle has passed, it doesn't mean the songs should be forgotten . . . and it was also a way for me to stand back and look at my career. When I do that I feel good about the music I've made. If passion is a good thing, then these songs are good." Mercury Nashville not only released Topley's new album, but also re-released the original and unreleased Blessing albums for a rare trifecta of listening pleasure. With all three in hand, it is not hard to see the nascent power that Topley brought to that first album, and how it has grown and gotten even better with time. Although William comes from a non-musical British family, he was exposed to a variety of musical influences as he traveled with his family to Spain, Jamaica and the United States. But Topley cites the BBC program on Sunday night, hosted by R&B figure Alexis Korner, for influencing his musical choices and giving him the the desire to emulate singers like Otis Redding and 'Muddy' Waters. Topley's singing has been compared to Van Morrison, but I personally find it lusher and more powerful. His abilities as a songwriter reflect the strength of his voice, and in combination, deliver stunning vocal experiences for the listener. His "Song of a Seabird," which he co-wrote with Dominic Miller, opens: "Do you hunger for the song of a seabird Do you dream upon a distant shore Swim the water with the mighty sail-fin And still want more . . ." Delivered with passion and longing, this song really reaches out and touches you. With fellow Blessing members Luke Brighty and Mike Westergaard still on board, Topley has resurrected and re-invigorated the sound of the original band, while putting his personal stamp on it.

Artist: William Topley Title: "Mixed Blessing" Label: Mercury Rating:

Eleven pieces of gold, a treasure for fans of good music. From the opening "Wake Up (Your Dream Sounds So Sad)," you are blessed with songs that are memorable, and which beg you to play them again and again. Like a friend watching you toss and turn as visions of betrayal run through your mind, Topley describes the torment and urges you to "wake up." The road to Hell is paved with good intentions, and it's name is "Sycamore Street," a powerful allegory portraying addiction as a woman, so desirable you'd give anything to have her. "Song of a Seabird" is one of my favorites on the album. The haunting lyrics of a love deserted, contrasted with a cold heart and warm memories, gives one pause. I'd quote all the lyrics but it would spoil the experience. All of us have our favorite movie stars, and Topley's is apparently "Sophia" Loren (and who can blame him) as he fantasizes and agonizes over the distance that separates him from the silver screen. Nothing is more painful than a friend who has fallen prey to addiction, and Topley was deeply affected by the experience of the Stones' Jimmy Miller. He personalizes the addict in "Uptown," humanizing him, recognizing that the addict is only a part of the man. The music is regretful, sad, yet full of a sort of life. One of the best love songs I've heard in years, "A Drink Called Love," could be compared to Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love" in it's concept, but is more serious. "Soul Love" was produced by the selfsame Jimmy Miller that Topley sings about in "Uptown." It is a funkier tune, with a touch of the islands. Both these songs appeared on the "Dark River" album. Rebecca Price shares vocals with Topley on "Sweetheart," off the just now released "Locusts and Wild Honey" album. This is a song of selfish, unspoken love. The last three songs come from the original Blessing album. "Highway 5" is a musical version of the "film noir," dark, mysterious with a different reality from the rest of us. Such is the power of love.There is no escape. As I write this review, New Orleans is deluged by Hurricane Georges, and "Delta Rain" is playing in the cd player with it's languid picture of love in the delta. "And through the gutters there will be water/ Running wilder than the sea and as the rains come down/ A thousand circles fade like you and me." "Hurricane Room" follows, another powerful allegory of man, a ship and the sea. This song echoes of "Wake of the Red Witch," and its tale of New Orleans and the tall ships, beautiful as a woman.

Artist: THE BLESSING Title: "Prince of the Deep Water" Label: Mercury Rating:

In addition to the songs William Topley included on his new album, this album has eight other songs, any of which could just as easily been picked. From the gospel-like "Flames," to the kinky "Let's Make Love." The opening bridge of "Back From Managua" is captivating. The addiction theme is stark in "Birdhouse," and the closing, title track "Prince of the Deep Water," is close to a spoken word poem, yet carried off as well as if it were a pop tune. This seminal work is not as strong as the new album but is more varied in style and imagery.

Artist: THE BLESSING Title: "Locusts and Wild Honey" Label: Mercury Rating:

This album contains much more of the island/reggae influence in such cuts as "Magic," "Tony English" and "River Dries Up." It doesn't have the raw power of William's vocals, as most of the cuts are more muted and melodic. While he does them well, it is obvious that his strength lies in the more powerful music on "Mixed Blessing." Still, this album has it's own ability to captivate through subtlety on such cuts as "Sail On" and "Your Game." It is obvious after listening to all of Topley's music how powerful imagery, and especially the many aspects of water, permeate his writing and thoughts. He uses the many moods of the ocean and river to express the varied emotions of love throughout the music. When he allows his voice to run loose, the sheer power carries you with him. It is distinctive, passionate and blessed with the ability to move the listener. Get these albums and count your "Blessings."