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 Mavericks
Album Info: Mavericks
Chillingsworth Surfingham Album: Mavericks Label: PopPop Genre(s): Surf Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Nov 18, 2024
Review
California-based Chillingsworth Surfingham follows up their debut album with a 12-track, 2024 album of toe-tapping surf-rock style instrumentals entitled Mavericks. For the Mavericks album, group leader Chillingsworth Surfingham, (a/k/a John Ashfield) has penned 12 new tracks that takes the instro guitar rock genre back in time while carrying the band’s guitar brand into the future.
A musician that wears many hats, Ashfield is equally at home with his pop-rock band The Bobbleheads. On Mavericks, he’s assisted by a crack band including drummer Percy Surfingham from the band’s self-titled debut. With the 1960’s surf-rock sound back in style, the Mavericks album contains so much fretboard finesse that guitar instrumental fans of all persuasions will find much to applaud here.
Mississippi MacDonald Album: I Got What You Need Label: APM Genre(s): Soul BluesBlues Posted By: Duane Verh
Nov 17, 2024
Review
Brit axe-meister Mississippi MacDonald does not disappoint with his current offering, once again delivering a rock-solid and soulful set, laced with true-to-the-roots fretwork and vocals that place Mr. Mac alongside the best of present-day blues belters. Standouts include a most respectable reading of the Little Milton-immortalized “We’re Gonna Make It” and a highly credible gospel track, “If I Could Only Hear My Mother Pray Again”.
FreeWorld Album: More Love Label: Swirldisc Genre(s): R&B Posted By: Duane Verh
Nov 10, 2024
Review
Bold, brawny horn charts and ebullient rhythmic underpinnings are a constant feature of this diverse and engaging set, served up by a long- established Memphis-based nonet. Funk, reggae and a strain of jazz from the more creative side of “smooth” mesh with a steady flow of inspirational lyric sets to make for great listening throughout. The pinpoint funk of the leadoff track, “Outta Sight” grabs the ear as does the mellow messaging of the title track. “Red Moon” is the first of a sprinkling of fresh instrumental fare that should stretch this set’s format potential. Nice work.
Dave Easley Album: Ballads Label: BIG EGO Genre(s): Crossover Jazz Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Nov 3, 2024
Review
Among the most versatile and well-rounded American pedal steel guitarists, vocalist / composer-arrangers in the US today, Hawaii-bred, New Orleans based Dave Easley returned in late 2023 with a new album called Ballads. Similar to Dave’s 2021 solo album Byways Of The Moon, the seven-track, 40-minute Ballads was released only on vinyl LP and as a digital download on Chris Schlarb’s Long Beach, California-based Big Ego Records. It’s too bad that labels are starting to eschew CD productions for a flashback to the vinyl only era but maybe Mr. Schlarb is on to something with his Lp-only productions.
Guitar fans that follow Dave Easley will note his 2022 album with his trio A.C.E. as well as his vocal-based solo album Easley Rider and with other releases such as his band Kolotov Mocktails. Well versed in pop and rock as much as composing for his neo-classical trio,
Andy Statman Album: Bluegrass Tracks Label: Shefa Genre(s): Traditional Bluegrass Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Oct 29, 2024
Review
Real authentic acoustic instrumental bluegrass music played by some of the best in the biz, Bluegrass Tracks is the 2024 solo album by New York based mandolin player extraordinaire and composer Andy Statman. On the 12-track, 42 minute CD Andy’s mandolin work shines in a sea of bluegrass superstars including the late Byron Berline (fiddle), Ron Stewart (banjo), Bryan Sutton (acoustic guitar) and Mike Bub (double bass).
Andy explains, “Bluegrass was the first music I really learned how to play and really understand”, and listening to Bluegrass Tracks from that point of view Statman shines in this setting playing the music he first mastered.
It is also interesting to note Andy’s background in the realm of traditional Jewish music and for those in the know, he actually became a clarinet protégé of Klezmer music legend Dave
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