From Albright to Albright
We interrupt our regular broadcast to bring you a late Christmas treat: a new addition to the CD collection--by an artist I hadn't heard of before--received as a gift.
The As, part 1
My friend and boss, Rob, spotted on here that I didn't have any CDs by artists that started with "A", and he was kind enough to rectify that. I'm really happy with what he gave me for Christmas.
Gerald Albright
The new CD is Sax for Stax, and it's so much fun. I admit I didn't know Gerald Albright by name, but I have probably heard his sax playing before. He is a great performer, and the liner notes reveal he plays more than just sax. The production quality is sparkling and punchy, and it's a pleasure to listen to.
Sax for Stax is a cover album, a tribute to the great Stax Records. Many of these songs are familiar, but the new arrangements are fresh. This is music I enjoy but didn't have represented on my shelves. I'm glad to have a jumping off point to potentially pick up some more in this vein.
Since this is my introduction to Albright and I am no sax aficionado, I can only say I dig what I've heard so far. I also appreciate how he opens the liner notes:
"As always, first and foremost, I want to thank the Creator for watching over this project at every step..."
This sentiment is reiterated on his website. His joy comes through loud and clear, and I hope to hear more from him soon.
When we come back...
Between the holiday season (which consisted of listening to a lot of Christmas favorites) and several days where my favorite headphones were broken and I was waiting for another pair to arrive, I have fallen behind on my CD listening. I hope to resume regular blog posts soon.
"For by him all things were created in the heavens and on the earth, visible things and invisible things, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things have been created through him and for him."
Colossians 1:16, WEB
Tags: cd-listening, christmas, music