What an honor for us here at www.Mary4Music.com - we now can add "GRAMMY NOMINEE", to the ever growing list of wonderful musicians that we've had the pleasure of promoting.  "FLYING HIGH WHILE STAYING LOW DOWN" is RANDY MCALLISTER'S first release since "GIVERS AND TAKERS", the disc that was nominated for a "GRAMMY AWARD" in 2002.  It's a Best of Compilation with five previously unreleased songs from his upcoming CD - which, from the sounds of these tracks, already appears to be a winner.

 

Obviously, with songs from several discs, the players on this recording are many.  However, since being good enough to play on the disc certainly warrants being acknowledged, please allow me to introduce the talented bunch.  Joining RANDY MCALLISTER, vocals and harmonica are: MATT WOODBURN, TODD BLALOCK, MIKE MORGAN, ANDREW "JR BOY" JONES, JIM SUHLER, STEPHEN BRUTON, ROLLO SMITH and MITCHEL SMITHEY, guitars; TIM ALEXANDER, piano organ and accordion; CHUCK "POPCORN" LOUDEN, RON THOMPSON and JIMMY MORGN, drums; SONNY COLLIE, RHANDY SIMMONS and MARK GOWAN, bass; BENITA ARTEBERRY-BURNS and ANGIE MCWHIRTHER, background vocals.

 

    From the list of CD's I see these original songs were taken from - "TEMPORARY FIXES", "A LITTLE LEFT OF CENTER" and  "DOPE SLAP SOUP", it appears that the latter would be the name of RANDY'S upcoming new disc.  Therefore, I'm going to go straight to those tracks, some of which seem to have a common sound - Gospel & Country Blues.

 

    "CLEAR MY HEAD" is highlighted by amazing vocals.  RANDY and BENITA are a match made for listening and they do a masterful job on his duet.  The very well written lyrics need to be paid close attention to.  It's a therapeutic song about how everyday things can get to you, as they do to all of us, and when they do, you've got to just take a deep breath and clear your head.  MATT and TODD supply some great guitar licks in front of some great rhythm from CHUCK, SONNY and TIM.  

 

    Very happily so, "CLOSE YOUR EYES" is lots more of the same.  More great vocals from RANDY and BENITA and more spiritual and very uplifting lyrics from this amazing songwriter.  Once again, about another of real life's importance's - needing someone to be there for you when you need them to be.  How comforting is it knowing someone will be there to hold you up, when you're thinking about giving it up?  If you don't already know, hear them sing it and you will.  Man if this one doesn't make you feel good then you need to listen to "CLEAR MY HEAD" a few more times.

 

    Going back about <cough, cough> years ago, one of my favorite LP's was called "CHICKEN LICKIN" by a band so funky, they had to be called FUNK, INC.  RANDY'S  "CHICKEN' YOUR FIXIN" (from Temporary Fixes) is so full of funk, it brought that record to mind.  With RHANDY on bass and CHUCK on drums laying a great foundation, and TODD supplying lots of funkified slide, it all provided a nice back drop for RANDY to lead the way on his funky harp and vocals.

 

    "THE CHAIN" (also from Temporary Fixes) features more great magic from RANDY and BENITA.  It's a typical RANDY MCALLISTER written song which features yet another wonderful message.  This one is about being "the first link in the chain".  It's all about being a leader vs a follower.  Be the first to jump in, the first to make a move and be the first to act, etc.  This time, RON, SONNY and MIKE provide the excellent drums, bass and guitar.

 

    "WHAT MOVES YOU" (from A Little Left Of Center) is another one of my personal favorites.  It opens with some very hot piano by TIM and the guitar work by JIM is some of the best on the disc.  With BENITA once again joining RANDY, it's an automatic that the vocals are once again another of the tracks highlights.  "WHAT MOVES YOU" will move you.

 

    "WANDERING SHEPPERD" (also from A Little Left Of Center), is a very soft ballad that features only RANDY on vocals and TIM ALEXANDER on piano.  A bit different than anything else, but very nice nevertheless.

 

    If you thought that by mentioning this song at the end, I saved the best for last - I'll give you no argument.  "WHY" (once again, from A Little Left Of Center),  totally blew me away.  It's another BENITA/MCALLISTER vocal and harmonizing masterpiece. On top of that it has more absolutely magnificent lyrics and the music is perfect. 

 

    Other tracks not mentioned are "THE GIRL AIN'T RIGHT / Dope Slap Soup,  "TAKE ME OUT OF NEW ORLEANS" / Temporary Fixes, "THE SOUND OF LEAVING" / A Little left Of Center, "BAPTIST CHURCH" / Dope Slap Soup, "DRINKIN' TO PREVENT A KILLING" / A Little left Of Center), "NEVER HAD A LOT OF FAITH" / Temporary Fixes), "MAN WHO WENT FOR CIGARETTES" / Temporary Fixes", "STRONGER VICE / BETTER HOBBY" / Temporary Fixes and "HARD HEADED" / Dope Slap Soup.

 

    Musically, I'm not one to cross genres.  Typically, "If it ain't blues, I ain't listening.  Having said that, and although there was enough blues on this disc to strike my fancy, regardless of anyone's taste, this disc has so much class and so much quality it should be loved by all. 

 

    Check out RANDY MCALLISTER @ http://www.randymcallister.com an tell him ya heard lots of good stuff about him from the Blewzzman.