Torch by Chuck & Deb McAuley

" And their love of music has never been far from their day-to-day activities, although Chuck McAuley works as a government relations director in the insurance industry and Deb McAuley just completed a communications degree at Sonoma State University.

"Music is a big part of our lives," Chuck McAuley said.

He began playing guitar at age 10 and his wife-to-be also was a guitar player. He was into the Beatles and the Eagles when they started a garage band called Special Blend, specializing in top 40 hits. They even played at their senior prom.

The popularity of live music helped pay the bills while Chuck attended college and during the early years of their marriage. They moved to California in 1978, following family to the area after visiting.

Playing local gigs became their mainstay and they became well known, playing regularly at locales like the old Steamer Gold nightclub in Petaluma and at local fairs. They also worked as music directors at both St. James and St. Vincent churches. Their specialty was folk Masses, but these days they only help out with special projects, rather than managing the week-to-week activities.

The McAuleys built a studio in their Petaluma home, and that's where they recorded the tracks on "Torch," all of which are original and written jointly.

Deb McAuley goes for a more traditional folk sound, with a taste of Joni Mitchell or Linda Ronstadt, whereas her husband prefers rock and blues, with the influence of Eric Clapton and B.B. King.

Chuck describes "Torch" as broad spectrum with some songs "more traditional, some more rocky and some more country." "It's put together like that," he said of the self-produced record. "Some are more gentle with a deeper meaning," Deb McAuley added, "and some are sad and happy."

The most requested song is called, "I Can't Get My Fill of Dr. Phil," which they wrote together and call "really fun" because people get a kick out of it.

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December 2, 2003

By CHRIS SAMSON

ARGUS-COURIER STAFF

Chuck & Deb McAuley, "Torch"

The debut CD of the husband-and-wife duo Chuck and Deb McAuley is literally a homegrown production. The Petaluma couple wrote or co-wrote all 19 songs on the CD and recorded them in their home studio (Studio Love), singing and playing all of the instruments.

"Torch" is an impressive showcase of the McAuleys' considerable songwriting, singing and guitar-playing talents. They move easily among musical genres - from folk and country to rock and blues. There is even a novelty song, the catchy "I Can't Get My Fill of Dr. Phil," a satirical salute to the television host and human behavior guru.

Many of the songs have strong melodies, catchy hooks, creative arrangements and inspired performances. Chuck and Deb alternate on lead vocals from song to song, often harmonizing with each other, such as on the folk-rock ballad "Bitter Tears."

Deb's rich, soaring vocals and chiming 12-string guitar infuse love songs such as "Nothing to Fear," "Going, Going, Gone," "Butterfly" and "Shell Shocked." Chuck's voice ranges from crooning on "Sweet Hawaii" to down-and-dirty blues on "Sad Blue Earth." On "Comet Heart," his gravelly vocals sound more like Tom Waits or Greg Brown. (He explained that he came home from work one day with a bad cold and went into Studio Love to record that song. "My voice has never sounded like that since," he said.)

Chuck's instrumental versatility is evident with his playing of a six-string acoustic guitar, Fender Telecaster electric guitar and electric bass throughout the CD. The McAuleys call their drummer "Dr. Rhythm" - an electronic drum machine.

The title song, "Torch," is a driving, bluesy instrumental with some inventive guitar effects. It is one of three instrumental songs, including "Sunset Interlude," a gentle, 37-second acoustic guitar piece, and "Bluestown."

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