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 Microtonal Honkytonk
Album Info: Microtonal Honkytonk
I Think Like Midnight Album: Microtonal Honkytonk Label: Quadropuss Genre(s): Fusion Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Oct 17, 2024
Review
I Think Like Midnight follows their 2021 album This Land Is Your Mind with the 2023 release Microtonal Honkytonk. Sounding inspired by early to mid 1980’s instrumental rock bands such as early Love Tractor and Group 87, the 13-track album extrapolates from the genre to such an extent as to render it an easy listening essential for today’s surf-rock meets soundtrack crowd.
Featuring the guitars and compositions of Andrew Chalfen, I Think Like Midnight also features drummer Dean Clean and the pair have put together a fine band for this album, their 5th. Mixing in a post-New Wave music sensibility with some hard-hitting tracks, Microtonal Honkytonk is a good introduction to this rising instrumental rock band.
Yacine Malek Double Trio Album: Live in Paris Label: Sony Genre(s): Contemporary Jazz Posted By: Joe Ross
Oct 8, 2024
Review
The six tracks on Yacine Malek Double Trio’s Live in Paris each span from 6-8 minutes in length. A masterful pianist with an ability to capture many moods, Yacine Malek knows how to draw transcendent beauty from each selection. The relaxed opening track, “Like Brazil” is an expressive statement for the pianist. As the set progresses, cuts like “Tallal” and “Kazil” show how cohesively well the trio functions with conversational musical interplay between the pianist, bassist Linley Marthe and drummer Karim Ziad. Some frenetic or repetitive phrasings occur, but the instrumentalist always land together with coherent focus.
Tracks 4-6 feature drummer Jeff Ludovicus. “Kheratta” seems an adventurous journey that balances self-indulgence with self-awareness. One of my favored tracks on Live in Paris, “Orientalina” presents a
Ollee Owens Album: Nowhere To Hide Label: Self-Release Genre(s): Soul Blues Posted By: Duane Verh
Oct 6, 2024
Review
Ollie Owens’ current offering will take its place alongside the best of this year’s soul/blues releases. The Calgary-based vocalist displays a firm grip on old-school sensibilities with highly charged, convincing delivery on a string of infectious co-writes and a phenomenal set closing reading of Bob Dylan’s “Lord Protect My Child”. Before that are found standouts including the just-beneath-the-boiling-point leadoff track, “Nowhere To Hide”, a sassy shuffle- “Solid Ground and a cordial ballad-rocker, “Love You Better”. Don’t miss it.
Fernando Perdomo + Matt Tecu Album: Art Label: Think Like A Key Music Genre(s): Fusion Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Sep 28, 2024
Review
The 2024 CD release of Art is a splendid introduction to the combined talents of guitarist / composer Fernando Perdomo and percussionist Matt Tecu. The 14-track, 51-minute album makes for a relaxed instrumental jam of sorts that is less concerned with tangible songs than it is with creating a sublime mood and ambience envisioned by these two gifted musicians.
Adept on all manners of guitars and keyboards, Fernando has been on a roll these past five years, creating and/or enhancing one great collection of music after another. Being all-instrumental in nature, Art borrows from new forms of progressive rock, New Age-based fusion, surf-style guitar sounds and ambient jazz.
Art may be atmospheric but it’s never mind-numbing or short on intelligent musical ideas. The tracks seem to flow with a keen musical perception. It’s difficult to single out one track as the sounds seem
Randy Lee Riviere Album: Concrete Blues Label: New Wilderness Genre(s): Blues RockContemporary Blues Posted By: Duane Verh
Sep 22, 2024
Review
Conspicuously literate blues-rock, laced at times with traces of psychedelia, makes for a consistently engaging set from Randy Lee Riviere. Compelling lyric sets and the Montana-based singer/songwriter’s particularly solitary vocal persona mesh well atop virile rock backup dosed with plenty of satisfying guitar work. Standouts include “Mania”, “Change Is Strange” and “Thanksgiving”.
Sep 12, 2024 -
Indiana based Singer Songwriter Abbie Thomas to release eagerly awaited second album Sept 27
The candid creative spark behind Abbie... Read Full Article
Jul 31, 2024 -
FOLK MUSICIANS CATHY FINK, MARCY MARXER, AND
CHAO TIAN ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM,
FROM CHINA TO APPALACHIA
THE GLOBAL MUSIC PROJECT... Read Full Article
Jun 12, 2024 -
Embark on a musical journey across Africa that celebrates the rich cultural tapestry of the continent with Putumayo's African... Read Full Article
Jun 3, 2024 -
Few musical compositions have so successfully tapped into that elusive formula of the enduring human spirit that is the recipe for timeless... Read Full Article
May 21, 2024 -
Released in mid-2024, It’s Worth It is the second solo album by Delay Tactics guitarist and keyboard player David Udell. It’s Worth It... Read Full Article
Mar 15, 2024 -
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
Jan 31, 2024 -
Ashé Records is proud to announce the release of A Better Way, an album of uncommon beauty and depth written by Portland-based... Read Full Article
