i am free by Will Diehl

"By the time you reach the third track on Will Diehl's I Am Free CD, it's too late - you've fallen under his spell. It's not really his voice that strikes you (although the man can sing well), it's the easygoing, relaxing vibes that come across from his acoustic guitar. On "Sunlight Dancing," Diehl hypnotizes your ears without you even realizing what he has done. The strings create a web of enchantment. If there was a record made for rainy days, this would be it. This is the kind of LP that makes you want to look out the window as tears pour down from the clouds. No, not because it's sad, but because it's beautiful." - Elizabeth Jacobsen at Alternative Rock Review

"Originally released in 1995, before the Internet explosion that enabled indie musicians to release and promote records on their own without being dependent on a label, this heartwarming folk record deserves a wider audience. Singer/songwriter Will Diehl is one of those artists who usually falls through the cracks. I have a library filled with them, in fact -- talented musicians who, for one reason or another, haven't gotten the widespread recognition they deserve.

Part of it has to do with marketing. This isn't MTV fluff, nor is it an edgy work for college radio. Rather, it's an easy listening record that gradually reveals its subtle charms. Recorded in the gloom and doom of the '90s, this record speaks nothing of the decade it originated from. Diehl will most likely remind you of mellow rockers from the '70s, like Dan Fogelberg and Bread.

The song titles ("You Are the Warmth," "True Love," "Real Love," etc.) tell you what to expect. For those with no appetite for folk, Diehl won't change your mind; however, only a person with a heart of stone could hate music this friendly and gentle. Diehl's guitar playing is soothing and his voice goes down like warm milk in a thunderstorm."

Kyrby Raine - Ink19

'I Am Free'

- Genre: 'Folk' - Release Date: '1995'

Our Rating:

"Here is the one that got away.

Originally released in 1995, Will Diehl's "I Am Free" (http://www.willdiehl.com) is an acoustic pop record that predates the current mania towards John Mayer and Jack Johnson. In other words, it is closer to country and classic rock than the post-alternative sounds of Mayer and his imitators. There's no garbled phrasing or self-consciously quirky lines, just adult rock at its finest.

Ironically, though, I kept thinking of who Diehl's voice reminded me of, and it was none other than Glen Phillips of the alternative group Toad the Wet Sprocket, who had a string of crossover Top-40 hits in the early '90s such as "All I Want." However, Diehl's lyrics are not from the underground nor do they have a collegiate bent. These are songs for grown-ups, especially couples in love.

"You Are the Warmth" and "Real Love" are both hopelessly romantic, Adult Contemporary tracks that are devoid of the studio gloss which often mutes the emotions in this material. Less commercial and more artistic is "Sunlight Dancing," its lovely, atmospheric guitars (you can almost imagine the rolling waves in the lyrics) complementing Diehl's poetic words: "Moonlight on a mountain meadow/Gentle breeze through silken hair/Sky above of endless diamonds/Peaceful feeling everywhere." Outstanding writing. To Diehl, a love for a woman is connected with his affection for nature; they go hand in hand, and "I Am Free" will liberate your soul from the hardships of a reality-bitten everyday existence. Bravo." - Adam Harrington - Whisperin & Hollerin

"Diehl's been compared to soft rock and acoustic artists like Jimmy Buffet, The Replacements, REM, and The Eagles." - The Day, New London, CT

"When I first heard this artist from Boston I was blown away..." - Americana Roots Radio

"A folky at heart, he has a pop sensibility and ... seasoned voice that's well suited to the Stephen Bishop/Jimmy Buffet-type material he pens." - Reno Gazette Journal

"With a pleasingly raspy voice not unlike John Mellancamp's, Will Diehl completely covers the Folk-Rock spectrum. Diehl's haunting acoustic ballads could passs for a darkly-themed James Taylor." - Listen.com

"Diehl's voice soars and glides through a vast array of politically correct, deeply personal and environmentally sound songs." - The Review, Lake Tahoe

"This is a beautiful down tempo creation of one of the greatest pop/rock artists in mp3.com." (review of Dream #3) - Ernesto Cortazar

"Solitude, reflection...honesty was how American acoustic folk-singer and songwriter Will Diehl made his mark in this album... Known as a prolific writer, Diehl has also penned over a thousand songs that deal with love, relationships, environmental and social issues... influenced by styles and ideas prevalent in latter-day New York City..." - The Star (Malaysia)

"This is beautiful. A simple vocal and guitar number with harmonica lines here and there... reminds me of The Beatles' 'You've Got to Hide Your Love Away.' (review of She Carried A Magic Lantern) - Shawn Rhodes (DJ @ NY's WBAI 99.5 FM)

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