Sal Valentino - Dreamin' Man - 2011
from Twirl Radio
Sal’s early fame came as vocalist for the 1960′s band The Beau Brummels
with such top hits as “Laugh Laugh” and “Just A Little”. It’s been
argued that the band defined the San Francisco sound. Certainly, they
were out ahead of the pack–a little before the Jefferson Airplane and
Grateful Dead.
The 1970′s came, and Sal played in Stoneground, a great amalgam of
funk and country rock, perhaps a precursor to the Doobie Brothers. And
he’s had quite a respectable solo career. As one of my European
listeners said, “Sal Valentino–one of the great voices of all time!”.
His most recent album, Dreamin’ Man, teams him up with long time
collaborator John Blakeley. This is one fine album. It starts with the
breezy opener “Love Song”, then transitions into determined mid-tempo
rocker “Hwy 49″. Sal and John turn in a great Americana performance on
rising Sacramento star Jackie Greene’s “Valley of Woe”. While Sal sings
with conviction, John’s stellar acoustic picking drives this song
forward with abandon. These two bad dudes will kick your rear with this
song, and you’ll love it.
But make no mistake–this tends to be a rather romantic album,
especially the second half. “Looking For You” is a fun rave up, and Sal
is completely devoted to getting through to his woman, no matter what it
takes, a la the Fabulous Thunderbirds in “Tuff Enuff”. The last four
songs burrow deep into your heart, with their romanticism. “Dreamin’
Man”, the title track, is quite moody and haunting, but always
listenable. “Catherine I Do” and “Lovin’ Fallin’” feature classy
instrumental hooks and lyrics that grab you, work their way through your
mind, and into that place in your soul reserved for love and sentiment.
These melodies are sublime and exquisite. The album ends with the
confessional “That Way”–what Sal is confessing is eternal love and
devotion for his woman.
01. Love Song
02. HWY 49
03. Snowman
04. Valley of Woe
05. Weakness In Me
06. Lookin' for You
07. Dreamin' Man
08. Catherine I Do
09. Lovin' Fallen
10. That Way
+@192
