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 Take Time To Listen
Album Info: Take Time To Listen
Bill Banfield's Jazz Urbane Album: Take Time To Listen Label: Mesa Bluemoon Genre(s): Crossover Jazz Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Jul 23, 2024
Review
Back in the mid 1980s and ‘90s, Mesa/Blue Moon, then headed up by Jim Snowden at Jem Records, was a big deal of an indie label that came of age just as the CD was introduced as the new recording medium.
Now 40 years after the label’s heyday, Mesa Bluemoon, or at least the Bluemoon part, is back again with Take Time To Listen, a 2024 CD release of solo instrumental acoustic guitar magic by Bill Banfield, a/k/a Bill Banfield’s Jazz Urbane.
With its 16 tracks clocking in at 73 minutes, recorded in Boston in September 2023, Take The Time To Listen offers a well-done album of first-take jazz covers featuring song classics penned by Carole King, Sting, Elton John along with jazz composer legends like George Gershwin on a number of classic covers.
Smooth jazz fans liken him to acoustic instrumental guitar icons such as Earl Klugh along with further comparisons
Albert Castiglia Album: Righteous Souls Label: Gulf Coast Genre(s): Contemporary Blues Posted By: Duane Verh
Jul 21, 2024
Review
Axe-meister supreme Albert Castiglia adorns his latest offering with an enviable guest list of contemporaries and a predictably strong song stack. The insistent muscle-rocker that leads things off, “Centerline”, teams Mr. C up with Popa Chubby for some fierce guitar choruses and harp ace Rick Estrin steps in on a particularly satisfying slow blues workout on Junior Wells’ “Come On In This House”. Ripe for radio is a vocal duet with Rayne Castiglia on Willie Dixon’s “You Can’t Judge A Book By The Cover”. Other guests include Joe Bonamassa, Monster Mike Welch and Ally Venable.
Kristin Hoffmann Album: RainShine Label: Self-Release Genre(s): New Age Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Jul 16, 2024
Review
Introduced to music fans by way of her vocal performances on several recent albums by New Age keyboardist Steven Halpern and also from her work with Global music ensemble Bella Gaia, NY-based singer songwriter Kristin Hoffmann released RainShine in 2023 although some music fans are just catching up with it now.
A masterpiece of slow-moving, epic soundscapes, RainShine incorporates elements of New Age healing music, contemporary neo-classical, World Music and more. Kristin describes RainShine as being “super slow, emotive, cathartic and healing."
The purpose of the album is clear, with Kristin stating, “In making this album, I listen to the pure nature of my soul and let it be born into music - this album is what it sounds like. I’m making this record to honor my path as a spiritual being living life in this world… in a body… with all of the
The Frigidaires Album: Play It Cool Label: Sky Lantern Genre(s): Surf Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Jul 3, 2024
Review
The Frigidaires 2024 CD Play It Cool sets the stage for a pleasant West Coast instrumental surf sound, even if the band does come from Acworth, Georgia. Perhaps the thing that sets The Frigidaires apart from many surf-rock bands is their affinity for Beach Boys style vocal harmonies that appear front and center on a few of the 13 mostly instrumental guitar-centric tracks here.
Another interesting thing here is that the Frigidaires feature three different guitarists that also sing. With the band comprised of Nick Bazemore - guitars, vocals, Brad Mattocks - guitars, vocals, Chad Shivers - guitars, vocals, Matt Steadman – bass and Sean Zearfoss – drums, several guest artists lend a hand on the full-bodied Play It Cool, including Misha Stefanuk, who appears with his rare, album-closing, New Age instro piano rendition of “Tide Pools (Reprise)”.
Also of note
Cecilia Sanchietti Album: Colours Label: Parco della Genre(s): Fusion Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Jul 3, 2024
Review
Born in Italy and dividing time between her native country and in Sweden, drummer / composer Cecilia Sanchietti turned heads around with her classy instrumental jazz album, Postcard From Gamla Stan and in 2024 she returns with Colours. There’s a definite Swedish folk-jazz edge to the sound of the 7-track, 41 minute album, especially considering the band she recorded with is mostly Swedish.
Musicians featured here backing Ms. Sanchietti includes Adam Forkelid (piano), Lutte Berg (electric guitar), Alberto Pinton (sax, clarinet), and Mauritz Agnas and Par-Ola Landin (double bass). The chemistry for example between Lutte Berg’s guitar and the horns is outstanding with Ms. Sanchietti providing her skillful drumming all along.
The all-instrumental album is tuneful and melodic throughout and not at all repetitive. Ms. Sanchietti, also a noted composer and arranger, keeps the
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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
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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
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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
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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
