DJ for The Blues Alley Show
OCEAN SHORES, Washington, United States
I started collecting music in 1962, at the age of 10. In 1973 I went to work at Budget Tapes and Records in Burien , Wa. I started as a clerk, in 6 months I was promoted to Mgr. In 1975 I became a multiple location mgr. In 1977 I became the Western Region Operations Manager over seeing 100+ stores in 10 states for the corporate office. In 1978 I added Blues buyer to my duties.
In 1983 I left the Record business and began a 12 year run in the HiFi store management... Read More
Latest Album Reviews
Review of Santa Monica Session
Album Info: Santa Monica Session
Doug MacDonald Album: Santa Monica Session Label: Self-Release Genre(s): Contemporary Jazz Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Feb 5, 2025
Review
One of the top jazz guitarists in the world today, Doug MacDonald returned in 2024 with Santa Monica Session. A stellar mix of classic covers and MacDonald originals, the 8-track 38-minute album features the guitar legend in good company with Bill Cantos (keyboards), Hussain Jiffry (bass) and Kevin Winard (drums).
Kicking off with a cover of Tadd Dameron’s “Lady Bird” (from 1939), the album shifts gears with MacDonald’s track “Minor Makeup” before covering “Prisoner Of Love” (1946). Other covers here feature tracks written by Richard Carpenter (“Walkin’” from 1954), Sonny Rollins (“Pent Up House” from 1956) and the CD closer “Perdido”, written by Duke Ellington alumni, trombonist and Puerto Rico native Juan Tizol in 1941.
The musical styles of Santa Monica Session include influences from
Jimmy Vivino Album: Gonna Be 2 of Those Days Label: Gulf Coast Genre(s): Contemporary BluesBlues Posted By: Duane Verh
Feb 2, 2025
Review
Late-night tv’s foremost blues guitarist hits the ground running on his current offering, dropping a trifecta of formidable fretwork, sturdy vocals and lyrical hooks dosed with punch and, when called for, serious sting. The longtime Conan O’Brien house bandleader’s leadoff track here, “Blues In The 21st”, paints a bleak but compelling scene from the early 2020’s and “Ain’t Nothin’s Gonna Be Alright” is an equally right-between-the-eyes, if a more standard sort of blues lament. Stealing the show vocally is Mr. V’s delivery on the ballad “Fool’s Gold”. Joe Bonnamassa and John Sebastian guest on a not-to-be-missed release.
Tony Romano Album: Three Chord Monte Label: Self-Release Genre(s): Contemporary Jazz Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Jan 28, 2025
Review
Released in 2024, Three Chord Monte is a fine introduction to NYC jazz-fusion guitarist Tony Romano. A sideman for many other artists, Tony steps out in style on Three Chord Monte. Backed up by Paul Carlon (sax), Jennifer Vincent (bass) and Rob Garcia (drums), the guitarist cuts loose on a supremely relaxing album of contemporary jazz tempered by a low key fusion element.
The tracks are uniformly excellent and the relaxed nature of the music are easy on the ears with a kind of Pat Metheny meets Les Paul style of sound. With 13 tracks that clock in at just under 70 minutes, the musical connection between the quartet borders on ESP. One look at Tony’s website it’s easy to see that he’s no newcomer to the NYC jazz scene.
RMR SPEAKS TO TONY ROMANO
How does Three Chord Monte compare to your other albums and is there an overriding theme behind the
Big Al & the Heavyweights Album: Blues Power Label: VizzTone Genre(s): Contemporary BluesBlues Posted By: Duane Verh
Jan 26, 2025
Review
As one could reasonably expect, Louisiana drummer “Big Al” Lauro’s latest offering is one more round of deep-dish roots fare, heavy on the regional seasoning. Guitarist/vocalist Marcel Anton growls his way through the rousing leadoff track, “Big Freight Train”, taking things down just a tad for the easy-going funk of the title tune. Most compelling here, though, might be the screaming-for-airplay “Red Line” featuring an ear-catching vocal chorus plus standout play from harmonica man Dale Robertson as well as from Mr. Anton.
Steve Smith And Vital Information Album: New Perspective Label: Drum Legacy Genre(s): Fusion Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Jan 26, 2025
Review
A veteran of classic American jazz and rock bands, drummer/composer Steve Smith returns in 2025 with a new Vital Information album called New Perspective. For those just catching up, Smith was a key member in the lineup of rock legends Journey from 1978-1985, the period when the band recorded their enduring body of work, and true to form, he breathes new fire into several Journey classics revisited here. Assisted here by Manuel Valera (keyboards) and Janek Gwizdala (electric bass), Smith brings his legacy full circle on New Perspective.
For his powerhouse trio return to form, Smith reinvents the Journey classic “Don’t Stop Believin’” as an instrumental jazz-rock track. In addition to the three Journey remakes, New Perspective also features revivals of early Vital Information numbers as well as a new version of a Michael Brecker track entitled
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CMH RECORDS (Country. Music. Heritage.) maintains a rich history of classic country and bluegrass albums and is honoring several of these legacy... Read Full Article