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Topic: Reviews & Recommendations / Royce Campbell's "A Jazz Guitar Christmas"

After reviewing volume two of this series, I just had to find volume one to compare the two. You know what, I like volume one better. Better yet, why doesn’t Royce package the two into one seclection.

I liked volume two, but volume one is the better of the two. I think. But, really, it’s best to get the two. They do complement each other…

Topic: Reviews & Recommendations / A Jazz Guitar Christmas - Volume II

I know I sound like a recording when I write about Royce Campbell, but I like his stuff. I’m not on his payroll and I get nothing from his end. But anyway, this compilation of eleven classic Christmas tunes is good- really good. It’s something that you can put on and fill your background with holiday spirit. This is good.

Seeing that there are many radio stations that play Christmas music as background sounds, Royce can add one to that scenario also.

This CD is smoothe from beginning to end. You oughta pick it up and see if I’m truthful. You’ll agree….

Topic: Reviews & Recommendations / Royce Campbell at it again with The Art of Chord Solo Guitar

Chord solo guitar? Well, it’s been called a lost art or a style in which the artist plays a melody harmonized with chords. Royce Campbell has tried and succeeded with his title.

In a Sentimental Mood, The Girl from Ipanema, Laura and Yesterday are some of the songs Campbell give us from 19 years of playing with Henry Mancini’s influence.

Campbell improvises a lot on this CD because that’s the way HE wants to do the selections. It seems to work, especially for fans of this jazz genre.

This CD is for people who are true jazz fans who wonder what it’s like to change the chords while you’re reading music but ignore what the pages tell you. Royce Campbell succeeds in his attempt to do just that. Pick it up and let me know what you think….

Topic: Reviews & Recommendations / Royce and Hod O' Brien's Masterpiece

Supposedly this is a sequel to the two’s Trio by Starlight from Philogy Records. Campbell exposes us to a gem of an effort featuring Hod on the piano. It’s hard, after listening to this CD, to imagine any better ivory work.

Hod O’Brien seems to be made for this compilation and Royce gets a high-five for including him. Hod stands out on a lot of pieces here and you can see why Royce chose him.

But, don’t forget it’s Campbell who picked all the musicians on this CD. James King on Bass and Pete Spaar are everpresent with their talent.

Better yet….pick up a copy and listen to it!

Topic: Reviews & Recommendations / Paulien - the new Carly Simon?

Royce Campbell has done it again…...’cept this one is not by him. Paulien reminds the listener that Carly Simon is not retired. Take a listen and be objective. The tunes, all written by Campbell, spell out a jazzy Carly Simon. It’s true. Take a listen….and go buy it!

Topic: Reviews & Recommendations / RC & the Groovediggers - It's a Wonderful Thing

Royce Campbell and his Groovediggers has given us a CD smoothe and jazzy CD. This was what he emailed me about the title and it turns out that he was right. It’s also a little different from the typical smooth jazz CD which can bore you to death.

One of the reasons so many smooth jazz CD’s are boring is the lack of variety of the rhythm grooves. It’s the same beats over & over.

Royce brags that he tried to have more of a variety of rhythmic grooves. His 50’s rock groove of “Bo”, and his hip hop groove of “Party Shake”, the reggae beat of “Kingston,” and the track “Smooth Valley” proves that he has indeed accomplished his goals. I listened to it at least twenty times in my car and the nice smoothe jazz tunes flew from one to another making for a great transitional tie-in. The smooth jazz genre needs to expand it’s horizons and parameters or it’s going to cease to exist as a relative genre. Royce Campbell and The Groovediggers does just that. Wow, I think it would be a great alternative to the elevator music of today. Imagine getting in an elevator and hearing this CD! Your day would be full of upbeat emotions and satisfaction….