‘South On Velvet Clouds’, was recorded with William's band, (Luke Brighty – guitar, James Eller – bass, Jim Kimberley – drums, Mark Taylor – keyboards) on the south coast of England in a session overseen by Guy Fletcher, Dire Straits long time keyboard whizz and musical associate.

The songs are dripping with evocative lyrics and memorable musical moments veering from the circus imagery of Only So Much You Can Do to the lush West Coast melody of The Man Who Lost America. The music will take you on a journey from the West Indies to Tennessee with only the perspective that a well-travelled eye can give you.

Topley’s lyrics are subtle vignettes of life that take in universal themes that are filtered through the lens of late night performances, morning after black coffees and too many cigarettes.

They are songs that deliver more with each listening and give you a real sense of the journey and the feelings that affect each and everyone of us. Dire Straits guitar legend Mark Knopfler, says of Topley: “He’s big-hearted, emotional and strictly legit.”

Listen to South On Velvet Clouds’ now for a taste of what Luke Lewis, President of Lost Highway, calls “contemporary British blues rock at its best”.


01 Only So Much You Can Do

williamtopley