“Face it, Tiger...You just hit the jackpot!”
-Mary Jane Watson

Williamp3's

As you've probably picked up, I was a member of Last Call, “Cornell's Finest All-Male A Cappella”, during my four years @ Cornell. It was my life. I gave more to that experience than I did to studying or networking (which I'm SERIOUSLY paying for at the moment!). Anyway, I had a few solos with the group, and below are a few of my favorites that I thought I'd share here on the site. The quality's subpar on many of them, but that's just part of the experience.

After graduating, I joined E7, a band formed by my friends Tarek & Karl. I guess it was me fulfilling my lifelong desire to be a member of the California Dreams...without having to be the drummer. Regardless, it was really their project, and I was just a guest soloist...on half the songs. Kinda reminds me of how Heather Locklear was a “Special Guest Star” on Melrose Place for 7 years! Anyway, I thought I'd post a few of the tracks in which I played a role.

LAST CALL TRACKS

1) Lean On Me 2000 (link)
This track is my debut performance of my first Last Call solo, “Lean On Me”. I sing the choruses and bridge. The pops and clicks give it an “archived” feel.

2) Somebody
I used to call this song my “anthem” because it really captured what I was looking for in life. Pay attention to the end, where I run out of breath.

3) All Or Nothing
I love boybands, so this song means a lot to me. The group, on the other hand, hated boybands & didn't really “give it their all”. In the end, I think it came out OK.

4) It's So Hard To Say Goodbye
This was the second time I sang with Eddie. The man has an incredible voice, and I thought it was a cool idea to do the song with him.

5) The Hardest Part Of Breakin' Up
This track is actually the second time we performed this song in a concert. Some of the “boyband” members had been replaced, but we really found our groove this time around. I still want my Justin Timberlake poster back; Or, at least, my Craig David CDs...

6) Somebody - Alumni Version
This version of Somebody was our encore/alumni song at one of my last concerts. Alum Greg sings the first verse, which is just beautiful. Plus, I didn't run out of breath this time!

7) I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues
I really loved this song, and I think it's one of our best live recordings. I think Elton would like it....

8) The Hardest Part Of Breakin' Up - Album Version
Highly Recommended! This is the studio version of the song. It came out really nicely, with the mixing and effects. Very nice a cappella track!

9) Drops Of Jupiter - Album Version
Highly Recommended! We got a LOT of mileage out of this song. Almost as much as Train. It took us to the Today Show, as well as 2nd Place at the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella. I actually didn't sing it at any of those events, but here's my version nonetheless.

10) I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues - Album Version
Highly Recommended! This is a nicer version of the song. I changed a few vocal things, and I really like how it came out.

11) This I Promise You
The quality of this track is piss-poor, with the clicks and pops, but it means a lot to me. It was great singing with G on his first solo. Plus, I love boybands, so it was a win-win situation.

12) Lean On Me 2003
I got a TON of mileage out of this song over the years. Some might even know me only as “The Lean on Me Guy”. Anyway, I enjoyed singing it over the years, and this track is my final performance.

E7 TRACKS

13) Marina
Highly Recommended! For anyone who knows me, NO, this song is not about her. Nor her. In fact, I had nothing to do with the writing. I was simply the whore brought in to sing it. Regardless, I think it's pretty and I've come to really love the track, especially Tarek's bluesy guitar solo.

14) Beautiful Girl
Highly Recommended! Once again, I didn't write it, but I think we can all relate to it. Anyway, Karl did a great job with this song, including the subtle guitar licks in the background.

15) Home
Highly Recommended! Very Folk-y, but I like it. I give all the credit to Karl; this song just has a haunting aspect to it.

16) Prayer For The Dying
Highy Recommended! This is our acoustic version of Seal's pre-”Kiss From A Rose” hit.

All Last Call album versions can be found on the CD “Vestosterone”, www.menoflastcall.com