JaR - Scene 29 (2008)

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. [update: the website has been taken down and I'm unaware of any follow-up album]

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.

Jay Graydon - Airplay for The Planet (1993)

Note: the CD I listened to was the 2002 reissue on Sonic Thrust Records, remastered with a bonus track.

Previously, I've written many good things about Jay Graydon on this blog from his stellar work with such artists as Steely Dan, Al Jarreau, and the Manhattan Transfer. Even before I knew exactly who he was, I was enjoying Graydon's songwriting, guitar work, and producing. This album is more or less the follow-up to his 1980 Airplay collaboration with David Foster and it has a definite '80s vibe to it. Foster shows up on a few tracks here, along with other West Coast AOR names like Bill Champlin, Abe Laboriel, and Jerry Hey. The songwriting is good enough, but Graydon's guitar solos are a treat. Graydon's incredible, clean production skills always make me go and find my Bose headphones before listening so I don't miss any of the nuances. Worth seeking out.

In 1995, Graydon released an instructional video with the same title as this CD. It's cheesy in a '90s-direct-to-video kind of way, but it is fun to watch him play incredibly technical solos like it was as easy as tying shoes.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks: Since I bought this because I enjoy Graydon's work, it shouldn't surprise you that I like most of the 11 tracks here. As I said in my post about the 1980 Airplay album: "To a middle aged man constantly trying to recapture his youth (I'm talking about myself, of course), this is great stuff." Included is another version of After The Love Is Gone, featuring the original songwriters Foster, Champlin, and Graydon. Other highlights include Holdin' On To Love, Roxann, When You Look In My Eyes (which sounds like a "love theme" from a mid-'80s Brat Pack movie), and the bonus track, I Do. The only track I'll occasionally skip is Show Me The Magic but that's mainly because of the "orchestra hit" synth sounds that grate on me.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None