Compared to its heyday in the late '70s - early '80s, there's very little new West Coast/AOR/Yacht Rock these days. That's a shame and makes West Coast lovers like myself hunt a little harder for new stuff, but it's out there (see State Cows, Monkey House, et. al.). In 2008, Jay Graydon, King of the West Coast sound, teamed up with award-winning singer/songwriter Randy Goodrum and put out an album under the name JaR (which stands for Jay and Randy, I'm guessing). The duo describes their music as "Steely Dan meets Airplay and Pages" - count me in! This album is a collection of wonderful songs, tight playing, and the clean production Graydon is known for - no clipping here, in fact there's a brief rant against compression in the liner notes. I've loved Graydon's guitar solos since I first heard Steely Dan's Peg and he doesn't disappoint here with characteristically high-flying overdrive solos on most every track. The duo's website claims a new album is in the works; let's hope that happens soon.
Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart
Tracks: Good from top-to-bottom, my current favorites are Cure Kit, Make Somebody, the title track, Glen's Hair (best solos on the album), and the most Steely Dan-ish song, Your Heartbreak.
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: I didn't discover this disc until late last year, but since then I've never let it stray too far. This music has accompanied me on many long walks in the woods.
While I cannot attest to this album's ability ot accompany one in the woods, it holds up nicely in the desert. The production as you mentioned is clean and spacious, virtually a widescreen hi-def experience through the headphones.
ReplyDeleteCredit to you for hipping me to this one a few months back.