WILLIAM SIKSTROM – I Will Be Waiting [Japan Edition +3] (2016)

Here’s a new artist from Sweden who will make West Coast AOR fans happy: WILLIAM SIKSTROM. “I Will Be Waiting” is the title of the album, in this Japanese Edition via specialized label P-Vine including 3 bonus tracks.
Two of these bonuses are delicious covers of Pages’ “Come On Home” and David Roberts’ classic “Wrong Side Of The Tracks”, so this give to you a pretty good idea of what this album is all about: smooth Californian sounds from the first half of the ’80s.

Indeed, “I Will Be Waiting” is a collection of songs revisiting the L.A. Session golden days with many inspirations including, of course, David Roberts & Pages, but also Airplay, Jay Graydon, Gino Vanelli, etc.
Sweden has always been the Scandinavian metropolis when it comes to West Coast AOR music, and Sikström – only 21 years old still studying on University – according to his own words; “As long as I can remember I’ve been loving West Coast music, I grew up with it. My father discovered this musical genre when he was my age. When I was a kid I started playing the bass because my dad and my brother did, later on I picked up the guitar and started taking guitar lessons”.

“My passion for chord changes and harmonies started when I decided to learn all the chord on the guitar. I played many classic AOR songs and tried to play both the chords and the solos of course. I studied music gymnasium where a started picking up keyboard and drums on a fundamental level, and taking vocal lessons as well.”

Then Sikström started to write his own songs, played with the likes of Ole Borud, and had the opportunity to record his first album, “I Will Be Waiting”.
Performed and produced entirely by himself with amazing results, Sikström showcases an incredible talent not only as vocalist, but also as songwriter. And the sound quality is top notch for a self-managed recoding of this kind.

Since opener “Mr. Clean It Up” you’ll be surprised by the maturity and good taste from this young artist; a truly classic West Coast AOR inspired sound. There’s echoes of Marc Jordan, and of course Ole Borud, perhaps the most talented, recent exponent of this timeless genre.
“Tell Me” brings to mind Kere Buchanan, featuring the contribution of William’s wife, Rakel. Absolutely angelic voice.
“Show The Way” is a very, very early ’80s American piece with a hint to Gino Vannelli, while the title track has a Greg Guidry works atmosphere.

After the ballad “Up On the Hill” with some Airplay on it, we have a fun, upbeat cut in “She’s a Magnet” with its true West Coast AOR dynamics akin Pages or even Paul Davis. I love the groove infused by Sikström throughout the entire track.
“I Need You” is another highlight, a midtempo little gem with an elegant guitar solo in the vein of Peter Friestedt.

After listening to “I Will Be Waiting” you wouldn’t believe this album was entirely crafted by a single musician; the talented William Sikström at the tender age of 21.
This guy has more class than many seasoned musicians who have spent half of their life to create such quality melodies like Sikström delivers here.
HIGHLY Recommended

You’ve seen it first here, at 0dayrox

01 – Mr. Clean It Up
02 – Tell Me
03 – Show The Way
04 – I Will Be Waiting
05 – Up On The Hill
06 – She’s A Magnet
07 – I Need You
08 – Take A Look Around
09 – Costa Rica
JAPAN BONUS TRACKS:
10 – You Are Runnin’
11 – Come On Home [Pages cover]
12 – Wrong Side Of The Tracks [David Roberts cover]

William Sikström – vocals, guitar, bass, keys, programming
Rakel Sikström – vocals

BUY IT !
www.hmv.co.jp/en/artist_William-Sikstrom_000000000651295/item_I-Will-Be-Waiting_6782414
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