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 Floreada's Boy
Album Info: Floreada's Boy
Zac Harmon Album: Floreada's Boy Label: Catfood Genre(s): Contemporary Blues Posted By: Duane Verh
Aug 23, 2024
Review
Zac Harmon’s veteran presence is evident on all fronts on this very appealing, tuneful soul/blues mix. The Mississippi-bred, LA-based singer/guitarist/songwriter delivers the goods on a string of distinctive co-writes including old-school styled blues missives “Fake News”, “Big Dog” and “Stress”, a quirky funk track- “Glass Ceiling” and a classic soul take- “Let It Slide”. A respectable reading of Bobby Womack’s “That’s The Way I Feel About Cha”, partnering vocally with SueAnn Carwell is worth attention as well.
Bill Emerson Album: String Time Label: Patuxent Genre(s): Traditional Bluegrass Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Aug 13, 2024
Review
Maryland-based Patuxent Music has a number of reissue CDs in their catalog featuring some of the most esteemed American Bluegrass artists and high on the list is String Time, a 2024 reissue by banjo legend Bill Emerson. Listeners would have to go way back to 1962 to hear any of the 20 tracks on the String Time album but Patuxent makes it easy.
The cool thing here is that each of the 20 tracks on the 39 minute long CD is a bluegrass instrumental featuring Bill Emerson’s banjo backed up by some of the finest bluegrass instrumentalists of the era, including mandolin player Frank Wakefield, dobro ace Kenny Haddock and guitarist Red Allen, who plays on many of the tracks here. Emerson would go on to greater heights but these sides from the start of his career makes a great introduction.
The String Time CD features knowledgeable liner notes by Alan Munde along with colorful album
Piper & The Hard Times Album: Revelation Label: Hard Times Genre(s): Contemporary Blues Posted By: Duane Verh
Aug 11, 2024
Review
From the first track, “Trouble Man”- a band original, not the Marvin Gaye classic, Al “Piper” Green defines the proceedings with his gruff, full-bellowed vocals. The band reciprocates with its own big, brawny presence. Further self-penned treats from this Nashville-based five-piece include the urgent shuffle “The Hard Times”, an insistent rocker- “Revelation” and the naughty, nasty “Crave You” which sports an ear-grabbing Willie Dixon-esque chorus hook.
Colin James Album: Chasing the Sun Label: Stony Plain Genre(s): Blues RockBlues Posted By: Duane Verh
Aug 4, 2024
Review
With a hint of pop-singer panache in his vocals and the blues ever-present in his pinpoint fretwork, guitarist Colin James delivers consistently on a set of solid co-writes and a trio of simpatico covers. Leading off with a just-beneath-the-boiling point rocker guesting Lucinda Williams on her own “Protection”, this killer track is further fortified by Ann & Regina McCrary's vocal presence. Its infectiousness is soon complimented by that of another guest-adorned track, “Devilment”, featuring harmonica master Charlie Musselwhite. Mr. James scores big on a mid-tempo soul ballad “How It Feels To Be Loved” and an acoustic feature, John Hammond’s “Come To Find Out”, once again joined by Mr. Musselwhite. Kudos for the rock-steady instrumental backup throughout.
Vimma Album: Tornadon Silmässä Label: Nordic Notes Genre(s): World Posted By: Joe Ross
Aug 2, 2024
Review
From Finland, Vimma features seven band members who are making some strong statements for environmental protection. While “vimma” means “frenzy,” their progressive folk music takes us on an adventurous sonic journey laden with evocative messages, both downers and uppers in a world that better get its act together soon while we still have options. With lyrics written and sung by Eeva Rajakangas, the band is no doubt building themselves a legion of fans who can relate to the title cut’s references to mass extinction, microplastics and other shit hitting the fan. Their clarion call is to occupy the streets where “all contradictions cease, and in the eye of this tornado is where we want to be.” While Finnish has a pleasant, inquisitive and charismatic sound, I would’ve enjoyed hearing more vocalizing in English for greater
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
Jan 11, 2024 -
Way back in the 90s, a lasting friendship was born out of jazz. Warren Byrd was playing piano at a jam session at a now-defunct jazz... Read Full Article