Alex Arguello
Only Dreaming
© 2005 Ginny Arguello (837101061902)
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A sophisticated blend of seductive pop ballads, jazzy samba & reggae tunes, and adult-oriented rock with memorable melodies and passionate lyrics. Includes TWO Great American Song Contest Honor Award winners, "Yesterday's Heartache" & "Samba Para Todos."
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"Only Dreaming" is a posthumous retrospective of the music of Alex Arguello. An award-winning songwriter, singer and guitarist, Alex expressed his passion in his music. When he died suddenly and unexpectedly he left behind dozens of songs. "Only Dreaming: The Music of Alex Arguello" captures his legacy of dreams and love; rich melodies, eclectic taste and expressive guitar.
To Alex, his guitar tone was paramount and his playing reflects the principle adopted by musicians such as Miles Davis and Paul Desmond that "it's the space between the notes that counts."
As a songwriter, Alex's lyrics are frequently introspective and philosophical; they question the meaning of life, love, and elements beyond our control. On the album's title song, "Only Dreaming," his lyrics presage his untimely death: "Time is immortal, stealing the days like a thief."
For his haunting solo on the 2005 Great American Song Contest Honor Award winner, "Yesterday's Heartache," Alex used his 1977 Vintage Ibanez Artist to reinforce the anguished feel of the piece. This moving, memorable melody is sung by the versatile vocalist, Richard Bryant, who toured with the Doobie Brothers and Little River Band and now performs with The White Album Ensemble. Richard first worked with Alex in 1995 and also sings lead vocals on the title track, "Only Dreaming."
Joining Alex are a host of other Monterey Bay area musicians. Brilliant jazz flutist and recording artist, Kenny Stahl, adds his expressive flute to the Latin "Samba Para Todos," the second song on the CD to win an Honor Award in the Great American Song Contest. Kenny Stahl also plays on the soft ballad, "Smile Behind Your Eyes," and the bittersweet, "Silence of Goodbye."
Internationally renowned guitar virtuoso, founder of the non-profit JazzMasters Workshop, solo guitarist throughout Clint Eastwood's film, "Million Dollar Baby," Bruce Forman provides "The Silence of Goodbye" and "Only Dreaming" with extraordinarily beautiful guitar tracks. Currently touring with Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, Richard Chon arranged and played the nine exquisite violin tracks on "Only Dreaming," giving that song its ethereal quality.
Yuji Tojo, who has toured internationally with Lacy J. Dalton and other artists, adds his guitar to the song "Imagination" to evoke the dreamy moodiness of the tune. He also adds the reggae rhythm on "Dance in Groove Minor" and enhances "Moody Nights" with a intriguing slide guitar.
An Emmy Award winner for original composition and arrangement of the music for the PBS documentary, "Liquid Stage: The Lure of Surfing," Jon Close plays the Hammond B3 on "Saved By A Kiss", and adds his dynamic and lyrical piano improvisations to "Smile Behind Your Eyes," "Yesterday's Heartache," "Imagination," "Moody Nights," "Innocent Eyes" and "The Silence of Goodbye."
Eleven time Grammy winner, Tony Lindsay is internationally known as the lead singer for guitar legend Carlos Santana. Tony first worked with Alex in 1995 when he recorded the lead vocal for the impassioned "Innocent Eyes."
Growing up in a musical family which includes Blues Hall of Famer Junior Parker, Simone Cox has sung, danced and toured with a number of rhythm and blues groups. Most recently a member of the Rhythm Casters, Simone sings the sexy vocal on "Imagination" and background vocals on "Standing Right Here in the Rain" and the honky-tonk rocker, "I Reserve the Right to Love."
Also adding their expertise to the CD "Only Dreaming" are Mark Whittington on bass, Gary Kehoe on percussion and drums, Joe Indence on piano and organ, Mike Culver on vibes and marimba, and a number of other Bay Area musicians.
With a combination of memorable melodies, impactful lyrics and stellar musicians, "Only Dreaming" is the kind of CD that flows seamlessly and will find a permanent spot on your "must play" list.
"Alex is an artist deserving attention and definitely should be heard."
-------- 2005 TAXI Review (Music Industry A & R Company)
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Left too soon.
author: Gus WannerA wonderful overview of a life that was cut short in 2003. Only Dreaming is a posthumous retrospective of a man who was a realist as well as an artist. the music and lyrics reflected not only a sophisticated and eclectic palate but also a sensitive and caring soul animating the proceedings. For me, this CD really takes form in the middle section, -That Letter through Innocent Eyes- reflecting a romanticism informed by realism. there is a level of self revelation and confession that is not whiny or hectoring but rather accepting and, dare I say, mature. Ginny Arguello is to be commended for her choice of vocal "interpreters" on Imagination as well as the title track. Her decision to utilize Simone Cox on Imagination showed she has some. Ms. Cox brought a certain sensuality to the song that animated it with a tonality that is warm, inviting and believable. Yes this work reflects style conciets that a man of his expierience would employ. this is not a negative statement, but rather reflects the broadness of his tastes and influences. That he went from genre to genre is a testiment to a man who was far from finished developing as an artist as well as a human being.
- author: Wallace Baine, Santa Cruz Sentinel, October 8, 2005
"Now, 2 1/2 years after Alex's death, Ginny Arguello has finished a project that serves as a tribute to her husband's consuming passion. She took hours of unfinished music Alex had recorded in his home studio and fashioned from that raw material an album in which Alex posthumously collaborates with several other musicians...The result is a crisply produced compilation that shows off Alex's diverse songwriting chops swinging from smooth jazz to reggae."
Great for dinner, dancing, seducing, hangin' out
author: Bill BradyTerrific lyrics, great synergy between lyrics and melody, great joy expressed, but even the introspection and sorrow are redemptive. The guitar, sax, violin, and arrangements are spectacular.