Will Downing Dives Into "Lust, Love and Lies"

Soulful singer speaks 'passionate' truth for the masses



















By A. Scott Walton
Chances are, you’ll wear a silly grin after hearing selections from Will Downing’s newest release, “Lust, Love and Lies”.
That’s because most fans of adult contemporary music have experienced the personal dramas that Downing weaves into what he fondly calls “an audio soap opera”.
Downing debuts “Lust, Love and Lies” (Peak/Concord) Tuesday with a personal appearance at the Loew’s Atlanta Hotel in Midtown (8 p.m.-until). He’s also scheduled to headline an October 2 concert at Atlanta’s Symphony Hall, where he’ll stitch “LL&L” material into a repertoire that spans 14 albums in 22 years.
(Click HERE for special access info for Downing's Atlanta engagement at Loew's.)
“Lust, Love and Lies” happens to be sewn together, in a novel fashion, by Downing’s spoken word interludes. But the soulful singer says, modestly: “I’m not reinventing the wheel here. It’s the same ‘boy meets girl’ story that’s been sung about millions of times.”

The main difference: Downing digs into the details, while refusing to reveal whether the tour de force is biographical or not.
“Two people meet in a club, let’s say, and at first there’s that lust factor. We bypass the ‘like’ and get to the love factor of it in a matter of time. Then, sometimes, things go wrong. And that’s where the lies come in.”
Check back with EyeSeeStyle this Wednesday for an exclusive video interview with the mind behind "Lust, Love and Lies"...!
The reigning queen of Atlanta's jazz scene, Rene Miller, organized Downing's set at Loew's as part of her personal quest: the Power of Me initiative.
She stresses that Downing's true story is about triumph over near tragedy.
Due to the rare and severe muscular disorder (polymyositis)Downing was stricken with in 2007, Miller said, "He had to record much of that previous album from bed or from a wheelchair. But he produced it successfully, and he overcame his struggle with illness.
"When he walks on that Loew's stage, I'll remind everyone that he's a champion. And the music speaks for itself."