Read the full review @ AllGigs.co.uk HERE

I went to see William Fitzsimmons play at the Barden Boudoir in Dalston, East London, in August this year. He was awesome. Fact! I had the album 'Goodnight', which is tremendous, begged a poster (a lovely drawing of said Fitzsimmons) and bought a t-shirt (it may be too big but I like to promote him to my gym posse! William possesses the rare qualities of being able to pen the most beautiful heart rendering songs, hold an audience in the palm of his hand and deliver witty and sarcastic retorts to the crowd like no other folky singer songwriter I have ever seen or heard live! He was, as I say awesome!

To say I was excited about this album, 'The Sparrow and the Crow', is an understatement. Previously released in the States over a year ago this album release has been in my diary a fair while now. It was totally worth the wait. I have listened to this album now around 50 times since receiving it in the post, every time it gets better. William's voice is a rare creative in itself: soulful, touching, tuneful, deep and rich. It is a pleasure to listen to him and as his voice caresses your ears from the first bars to the closing tracks the listener realises he is something extraordinarily special.

'After Afterall', the opening track (amusingly the closing track on previous album 'Goodnight' is titled 'Afterall', this continuity between the albums is original and immediately he has his discerning listener right where he wants them, and if they are anything like me they are not going anywhere) is purely William, a piano and a female backing singer. It is a stripped down version of 'Afterall' from 'Goodnight' and it's haunting quality proves a winning opening track. This is followed by 'I Don't Feel it Anymore (Song of the Sparrow) a song that would not be out of place on an Iron and Wine album, but possesses more of the haunting qualities of a band like Bon Iver. Track 3, 'We Feel Alone', is pure and simple, however it is 'If You Would Come Back Home' that is the standout track of the first half of this album. A rich and soulful song, which explores the full vocal range of William and demonstrates the genius he has for songwriting. This is followed by my favourite song on the album, 'Please Forgive Me (Song of the Crow)'. If this song doesn't bring a tear to the eye and at least a hair to stand up on the back of your neck then you must be made of stone! A song clearly referencing past loves (a subject matter we can all understand and appreciate). This is the wonder of love gone wrong, and you as the listener can feel every inch of his pain. Pure genius!

'Further From You', follows starting slowly with William, a drum and a guitar and builds to a lovely sing along chorus. 'Just Not Each Other' is the other standout song on this album, building to a crashing crescendo, this is the tale of the love gone wrong (having been referenced in other songs) but having the sense to see that love will come again. Again, one for the heartbroken, or formerly heartbroken: 'We will love again, just not each other'. Indeed. Track 8, 'Even Now' is a slow piano and vocal song and may be the quietest (as it were) on the album, still a cracking song, which talks of love remaining (a common theme across his back catalogue). 'You Still Hurt Me' must be the live favourite, with the sing along chorus making this tragic song of heartache a rather cheery ditty! The last few tracks are introduced by 'They'll Never Take the Good Years' a short and sweet number, reminding me of Nick Drake in the Pink Moon era. 'Find Me to Forgive' is story of William's life, it is not cheery, but again the piano and percussion do lift the mood! The final, closing track, 'Goodmorning' is brilliant! Rousing, uplifting and just a bloody good tune!!! Williams leaves his audience with the thought; 'You will find love'. Perfect!

This album is one to fall in love with, listenable, enjoyable and above all meaningful. He speaks from the heart and urges the listener to explore theirs through the good and bad times.

I would recommend this album unreservedly. He is awesome live so catch him in a small venue whilst you can!