Released March 25th 2022 Reviewed by Nick 'Rockin Doc' Kemp Buy the album here: https://aldual.com/producto/reel-to-reel-cd
Al Dual, is an endorser and ambassador of Gretsch guitars which attests to his capabilities with the six string. In 2017 he won the best International Male Rockabilly artist at the Ameripolitan Music Awards. In the same year he was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. In 2018 he recorded and released his album the Sun Sessions recorded at the eponymous studio in Memphis. Since then he has been touring throughout Europe, the United States and Mexico. This album consists of 12 very fine recorded slices of Rock n’ Roll and Doo-Wop, though it has to be said that this is not a rockabilly album per se.
Reel to Reel begins with ‘Cadillac Funk’. The song starts with drums and a simple guitar riff creating a nice groove. There is some especially nice guitar on here and some understated piano making this a terrific album opener.
‘A New Day Will Be True’ very smooth with baritone sax and a fine solo, this is followed by a terrific guitar and sax question and answer passage
‘Girl’ This song is reminiscent of Buddy Holly, or perhaps early Beatles’ recordings marshalled by a nice piano. If I have one complaint it is that it is very short.
‘When I Was Younger’ (stereo) This is a sort of Neil Sedaka style number, that is lush in orchestration with superb backing vocals giving way to a full-string section – again it’s very short
‘Gold and Silver’ is classic rock n’ roll doo-wop. This is exactly the sort of stuff that one might expect from a Jets’ record, as such it is very good.
‘Diddley Is Alive’ This features, the legendary strumming pattern of Bo Diddley, but it is distinguished from most songs of Its ilk by a nice key change about half-way through.
Sue, Sue, Sue is half-way between the Everly Brothers and Elvis Costello, so is in exalted company.
She Cries From Mexico is a lush ballad that is nicely executed
‘I Lost My Baby’ Features nice guitar lines played over a snare shuffle. This is a good song in which singer Al goes into full falsetto.
‘You Keep Me Burnin’ This is rather reminiscent of J.D.MacPherson, but also features nice piano.
‘When I Was Younger’ (Mono) As you might expect, this differs little from its stereo cousin, it remains a lushly orchestrated ballad
‘Whisky A Go Go’ (Live) This song has a tremendous groove, a nice guitar solo that is simple but effective.
This is a very fine collection of contemporary rock n’roll/doo-wop that feels as if it were produced in the 50s or 60s, as such it is warmly endorsed.
Youtube: https://youtu.be/Rwz8bCuVe1I
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