too kind Kat, too kind indeed...one thing tho, i notice that when I've typed Donald ***an's name , the f a g bit is replaced by ***...is that a US censor thing?....*** means something different over here....

you'll love the album...

Moose.

Hi Moose,
Yes, its not a cigarette here As for the review, I enjoyed reading it without having heard it yet your descriptions are vivid which is all one could ask for. I'm not sure what you meant by it aint Radio Contact, though if you meant its a busier album than Radio Contact, then I understand. Radio Contact is the one album I became more impressed with over time and there are some great melodies. I think what threw some people off at the time this album came out was that the previous album Aart and the live one from St. Lucia, the band sounded like they were rocking out and Radio Contact seemed to be a quiet turn not all were prepared for. Judged on its own instead of being judged as anticipated at the time, Radio Contact has a lot of great songs on it.
I look FORWARD to THIS WAY and will be excited when it comes out! Also got the Best Kept Secret DVD and enjoyed the 2 extra tracks though I wish there was more. The Busby Special I think is an older Nick Webb song which I hope someday to hear again. Its a great jazzy tune and its a shame that only part of it is on the dvd.
Aart

I was just in the UK, I was lucky enough to see the lads at The Warwick Arts Centre in Coventry last Sunday, what a beautiful venue.

I picked up "THIS WAY", 15 Quid well spent and worth every penny.

I wouldn't categorize THIS WAY as Steely Dan but I will say its a wonderful album, there are No disappointments here, its Smooth and very easy listening.
I loved it from the first play, an excellent sign.

I heard Tied up with String it live at the show and it grabbed me instantly, Believe me when I say there is a lot to love about this album.

The Concert was excellent, the lads put on a perfect show as per usual, The Band played plenty of favorites, ARIANA and THE MOON AND THE SUN to name just two, Plus ERNIE, CARLOS THE KING and TIED UP WITH STRING, from the New album, all great tunes.

I finally got to hear Julian Crampton Live on Bass, what a Treat.

My Thanks go to Acoustic Alchemy for a wonderful night in Coventry. Way to go.....

Ok, listening to samples right now on Amazon. Sounds great! Already preordered, so I can't wait, but, um, isn't it time to update the site???

it will be... June 5th is almost here

Just got my tix for Aug 10 at Sculler's! Now I will have two months to gig to the songs before the show

Review from SmoothViews:

http://www.smoothviews.com/cdreviews/acousticalchemy-thisway.htm

Bob

This way Folks,
Well I was able to obtain the cd a day early, so here goes first impressions which are rarely how I feel later about these songs. First, the worst thing I could say is that this album certainly does not indicate any diminishment in AA's creativity nor courage in going new directions. Quite often when you listen to a new album you inevitably wind up saying it sounds like something from another AA album as some of the synths do or the beginning of "Only In My Dreams" is reminiscent of So Kylie. One thing in the sound mix of many of these songs seems to me the bass and beat are accented more like the Aart album as opposed to subsequent albums which serves to make you pay attention to the beat and the great rhythms as they change throughout this album. I would say the most atypical song of AA on this album is "Tied Up With String" a much more straight jazz sound which I haven't heard the likes of since the Positive Thinking Album. I loved it. The song "Egg" is closest to the Steely Dan influence of any song I heard on this one. "Who Knows" has that great funky beat with the horns, but interestingly I found the chord changes more like something from Radio Contact in the middle but then it goes back to the great opening beat which makes it sound sooo tasty.. This song sounds like a great dance song for concert and I can imagine lots of fun with the opening beat.. Interesting that the first cut is "Love is All there Is" with that kind of swaying beat which you can already see the arms swaying back and forth towards the end of a show.
This album has its own identity unique from any other AA album and the boys (lads??) did themselves proud in adding yet another worthy entry to the great AA collection.
Hope to see many of these songs played live when they visit the northeast!

Wow, Amazon was FAST. Got the CD yesterday. Doing my first listen today. I do have to say, I'm not thrilled with the sound quality/mix. It sounds very muddled. Not what I'm used to with AA releases. The music is good, but the sound is muffled. Hmmm.

As for the music. Very ecclectic mix. I'm grooving to Out of Nowhere right now. Very nice.

You know, i was actually getting ready to write the exact opposite!!

I thought it was very, very well mixed, clear, and very well produced! One of the best i have heard! Perhaps your copy from Amazon is not pristine, or your playback is not in good order...

Just one man's opinion... but that's my perception, perhaps there are others...