Only Dreaming by Alex Arguello

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Known for the melodic quality of his solos, Alex's expressive guitar combines a lyrical tone with sweet, round notes while sustaining just the right amount of edginess to titillate the listener. Alex's sophisticated command of the guitar reflects the principle adopted by musicians such as Miles Davis and Paul Desmond that "it's the space between the notes that counts."

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.

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