Biography
After touring and recording throughout the mid-to-late 1990s with Melange and other acts, Will King began writing and performing as a solo artist. Throughout his career, he has played in clubs and theatres from coast to coast. His new album, Come on in from the Cold, underscores King's appreciation for various forms of music that funnel into a genre best described as Americana. With comparisons to artists like Cat Stevens, Jorma and Leonard Cohen, King's music is moody, thought provoking and rife with hooks and melodies. His lyrics are poignant and far-reaching.
Come on in from the Cold is in many respects a concept album that takes the listener from death's door step [Come on in from the Cold] to a sense of sustained celebration [Polka Dot Dresses, Red Lipstick and White Wine]. The tracks in-between find characters dealing with abuse, discovery, death, defiance and enlightenment. And while certain characters fare better than others; King has created dimensions for the listener to visit [Johnny McPhee, Venetian Blind, and Lenny]. A triumph spirit emerges [Seeing Just Fine, Flow, 28 Days] that is watered down by habit and circumstance [I Won't Give Up].
True liberation is realized [One Thousand Birds] and environmental woes are pondered [Kyoto] while those abusing authority are condemned [I.O.U.]. King paints interesting scenarios with this collection of music but encourages the listener to employ their respective color palette which ultimately makes Come on in from the Cold a collective experience.
On May 25th, 2007 King entered the studio with drummer/percussionist Aaron Comess [The Spin Doctors] to record Edmund Pettus Bridge [How Long, Not Long], a song derived from a recent Civil Rights throughout the Deep South.
The journey took him from Atlanta to Montgomery to Selma to Birmingham as well as interesting points in-between. The song, based on the events of "Bloody Sunday" and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, will be used as a fundraiser for the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development Pathways to Freedom program. Lila Cabbil, the Institute's president emeritus and founder of the Pathways to Freedom program, joined King on the quest. Lila, a new friend, provided insight, context and knowledge.
King first performed the song in June, 2007 while opening up for Richie Havens at Rock on for Rights. He then performed the song August 3rd at the 19th Anniversary of the Institute's Pathways to Freedom program in Michigan. On October 24th, 2007 King performed the song at an Rosa Parks Peace Summit/fundraiser event in conjunction with the United Nations. The song has since been played at many related fund raising events.
Please click/paste this link to hear: Edmund Pettus Bridge [How Long, Not Long]
http://wwwwillkingmusic.com/Pathways_to_Freedom.html
Will King is currently writing material for a forthcoming album. For more information, please visit www.willkingmusic.com
Instrumentation
Will King: Vocals, acoustic and electric guitars.
John Cohen - mandolin/vocals "Come on in from the Cold."
John Ventimiglia - vocals/spoken word "Come on in from the Cold" and co-author "28 Days."
RJ King - vocals "Lenny" I.O.U." and Polka Dot Dresses, Red Lipstick and WHite Wine."
Doug Yowell - drums/percussion "I Won't Give Up" "Come on in from the Cold" and "28 Days."
Saul Zonana - bass - "Come on in from the Cold" I Won't Give Up" "Lenny" and "28 Days."
Discography
Come on in from the Cold [2007]
Melange [Self titled, 1997]