Bob Powers

MARIETTA, OH, USA - Let's launch this week's column by mentioning Dave Tofani. Never heard of him? Me, neither. That doesn't necessarily mean that you should toss the CD aside while you concentrate on the latest from a name that scores a zinger on your brain. Even guys you don't know possess the possibility of pleasing your hears.

"An American Garden" (SoloWinds Records) spotlights the saxophones of Tofani in a program that allows him to show off his abilities on flutes, piccolo, alto flutes, bass flute, Eb clarinet, Bb clarinet, soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones. The man's versatility is overpowering.

Tofani wrote seven new tunes for this album, with accompaniment on some songs by the New York City String Orchestra. The music ranges from the pretty to the stirring to a couple of tunes that could well make your heart flutter.

Tofani has been around for a long time and his various instruments have been heard on albums by such as Frank Sinatra, John Lennon, Steely Dan, Quincy Jones, and Herbie Hancock. He serves the spotlight and shows his stuff in an album that will demand many spins. While perhaps not what some would call "real" jazz, Tofani plays with professional zeal and boundless ability.

"An American Garden" is worth hunting for on your next trip to the local CD storeroom.

Alice Stuart Stirs

Alice Stuart, best described as a folk singer with a good deal of rock in her bag of tricks, has a new album that should please a large audience of those longing for the time when rock and folk music combined to have a long run in the sun.

Stuart got her start in the sixties, sharing stages around the U.S. with such stalwarts as Joan Baez, Phil Ochs, Rambling Jack Elliot, Muddy Waters and Doug Kershaw. Her first album reached the public in 1964. "All the Good Times" won good notices from a number of publications, including Billboard. In 1968, Stuart worked for awhile with Frank Zappa, who was forming the wonderful Mothers of Invention.

Her second album, released in 1970, won praise from Rolling Stone, which called Stuart "a major talent . . . her lyrics are evocative but not maudlin, simple but not banal." Later in the Œ70s, she kept busy touring, with such notables as Jerry Garcia, Albert King, Van Morrison, Dave Mason and John Prine.

Stuart stayed away from touring through the Œ80s while she raised her family in Northern California. When she decided to return to music, she released two albums during the 90s on her own label.

Now she's out with a brand-new album called "Can't Find No Heaven" (Burnside Records). It's a dandy and should find favor with blues, jazz and progressive country fans. Produced by Terry Robb and Stuart, the album focuses on both her electric and acoustic sides. The bluesy songs are peppered with clever lyrics and lots of emotion.

Alice Stuart has done it, been there, and knows how to please an audience. A couple of hearings of "Can't Find No Heaven" will proove that even though she's been gone for awhile, she hasn't let any of her skills diminish. Welcome back, Alice.

Terry Plays the Blues

When you turn to the blues, eventually you must play an album or three from the always-skilled Terry Robb. His new CD is "When I Play My Blues Guitar" (Burnside Records). What's new about this one? you ask. This time, for the first time, Robb has an entire program of masterful solo blues guitar, spiced to perfection by Robb's excellent blues vocals.

This ranks up there in the outer regions as one of the most entertaining and captivating conquests of the solo guitar in recent memory. The album contains 10 original songs and eight carefully selected covers. I've never heard Robb sound in better form and my CD library contains a bunch of Robb's material.

This is an album that will occupy a special spot near your favorite music assembly. Put "When I Play My Blues Guitar" close to your turntable. You'll find yourself going back and back again for just one more play.

Luther's Little Boy

While I'm praising guitar players, let me tell you about another one. Bernard Allison is the son of the famous blues man, the late Luther Allison. Bernard's brand new album, "Storms of Life" (Tone-Cool Records) has everything you might seek for an evening of solid blues, with Bernard singing with class and getting low-down when called for.

Bernard has the good fortune of getting David Z as the producer for this product. This producer has worked his magic on albums by Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang and Chris Duarte.

Spending a decade working in Europe has allowed the young man to sharpen his work to a find edge. The album opens with a sensational up-tempo blues song called "Slip Slidin'"

Bernard Allison has put together a CD that investigates various areas of today's blues. Because there's music to appeal to a wide audience, there's no need to skip one track in favor of another. This one deserves investigating.

Bob Powers always is interested in hearing from record distributors who deal in jazz, rock, folk, and anything that's good. For instructions on getting your album reviewed, contact him at rpow123@charter.net.

---

+++ The PREVIOUS POWERSSOUND +++ THE NEXT POWERSSOUND +++

---

---

MY GLASS HOUSE | THE PREVIOUS EVENT | COMING ATTRACTIONS | THE WRITERS/GUIDELINES |

---

© 2002, GENERATOR 21. E-mail your comments. Send your kudos, brickbats and suggestions to Our Editor.