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Victory Review

Ron Dalton: Don't Like the Sun

 This is a classic in the making and also very modern if you note the sampling and use of sound and fun effects. “Hell on Wheels’ is a great example—“There’s a hubcap rolling round the night stand.”. Steff Kayser was never better on his lead guitar work and Ron lays down a nice series of interesting progressions.  ‘Bug in the Soup’ is in the best existential traditions (an oxymoron) and as fun as your first downhill ski without lessons. ‘Fine Wine’ is very jazzy.  ‘Best Part of Waiting’ has that lazy but rolling beat recalling moments and thoughts from a best afternoon. Ron’s guitar work on this is special.  Then we return to his smooth jazz torchlight, with the feel of a background of detective Film Noir—‘Who’s Fooling Who.’  The clever plot of that film could be ‘Boogieman.’ Northwest legend Brian Butler appears on this cut as well as on ‘Fine Wine.’  The title song ‘Don’t Like the Sun’ will have you running for your slicker and Sou’wester. The bass guitar work is a steady bom, bom, bom marching beat—a background against which the vocals and lead instruments play. ‘Time and Time Again’ brings together a very unified lead guitar with fiddle. Overall, the effect is infectious, vocals and harmonies creative, lyrics fun, effects delightful. This is great CD. [Bob Riley]