William Joseph - Within

The pop charts were once regularly haunted by the melodramatic musings of pianists like Liberace, Ferrante and Teicher and Roger Williams, a sensibility that eventually gave way to the more New Age-y affectations of George Winston and his fellow Wave-format-friendly ivory ticklers. But if producer David Foster has his way, young Phoenix native William Joseph will do for instrumental piano music what the Foster-mentored Josh Groban, Michal Buble and Renee Olstead have done for classical crossover and crooner revivalism. Joseph is blessed with a forceful technique and an ear for drama (he composed the theme for his hometown NHL Phoenix Coyotes when just a teen) that recalls Williams in his prime, and approaches his material with a kitsch-be-damned, crowd-pleasing verve that occasionally invokes 1970s' prog-rock excesses (the artist's own title track and "Piano Fantasy") without apology. Bolstered by Foster's usual back-row-of -the-balcony production sensibility, Joseph tackles everything from the classics ("Ave Maria," "Eternal"'s reworking of Chopin) to Led Zeppelin (a version of "Kashmir" that's as over-the-top as the original), Kansas (vocalist Garou guests on the bathos-drenched "Dust in the Wind") and even Muse ("Butterflies and Hurricanes" as MOR melodrama) with supreme confidence, if considerably less subtlety. --Jerry McCulley Amazon.com

William Joseph--Within

I have his "Beyond" CD as well and have sen him perform on TV--absolutely wonderful--don't know how his fingers can go so quickly--and I play the piano. September 9, 2008

Gorgeous tones

I was privileged to hear William Joseph play at a Josh Groban concert and, like others, became an immediate fan of his lilting notes and compelling arrangments. I ordered this CD the same night of the concert, as soon as I returned home, and it has never disappointed. When I have a particularly stressful day, I toss it in the CD player and listen as I drive home. It brings me back to my realization of the world as a beautiful place. Buy it. September 7, 2008

10 Stars

I use this cd, to relax my mind. Nearing 40, & in college for the first time. You do what you can, to make all your dreams come true. It is my favorite cd. And I do wish him, all the luck in the world~! I first heard Wiiliam Joseph, on Oprah~! It was worth every penny. I would love, to see him, go on tour. And don't forget the USO, for our troops~! September 6, 2008

Great CD

Saw this guy on tv and bought the cd. It wasn't a let down. Very good music, played very, very well. Highly recommended! September 1, 2008

Fantastic album ! ! !

I love this CD. I purchased both Within and Beyond immediately after seeing William Joseph on Dr. Phil show. Hopefully I will see more of him on TV, as my opportunities to go to concerts are few. At any rate, I think this is a very talented young man, and hope to see a lot of him in the future. I also hope another CD will be available SOON ! July 12, 2008

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