Commercially correct M.O.R. Top-40 pablum, FM's Muzak for the mindless, comes and goes with the seasons,
prattling through the airwaves as often as we change our underwear.
But down here, on our side of the Seven Mile Bridge from reality-land, we muve to the beat of a different
drum, a cayo cadence of steel drums and the rhythmic sway of coconut palms in an emerald sea breeze.
Key West changes you, it changed Alfonse Subarsky after living here awhile from the tuff streets of New Jersey.
The sway of palm trees and pelican wings wove their way into the heart of this most talented Jerseyite, converting
him into one of our island paradise's outstanding examples of the unique sound that defines our music.
Alfonse's Almost Live from Havana is a melodic mosaic of tropical rhythms, a party with the street beat,
daydreams rooted firmly in country soil. His easy yet deliberate delivery is black tie under a banyan tree.
Almost Live is exiting and cool without being pretensiously slick. Mr. Al gets an A from this reviewer for
All ready for Nashville, L.A., maybe the Big Apple.
Here's hoping he stays with us, not straying from his new island roots. This CD is our man's most splendid achievement
to date, reflecting like the glass-smooth waters of Riviera Canal the truth that Key West does change you.
Almost Live contains 10 tracks including three self-penned and a two-for one Sam Cooke medley for a total tune time of 37:05.
My only criticism is the inclusion of Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" and "Moondance," two way over-requested tourist favorites.
Big Al's saving grace here is his uniquely Cayo Hueso vocalization on "Brown Eyed Girl" and his signature Tony Bennett treatment of "Moondance".
I'm not going out on a limb here, I say Alfonse's rendition of both tunes beat out V.M.'s by a cayo kilometer or
I'll eat Reggie's dog collar.
The title tune, "Almost Live from Havana," has a surprisingly pleasant country twist. It jumps lively with plenty of Key West
images of people, places, and things including the only reference in a song made to our island's other famous writer,
Tennessee Williams.
An original, "Sunset in Cayo Hueso," is a start-to-finish instrumental creation of Smilin' Al's, displaying his fine
guitar mastery and affording us a peek into his serene side, another effect of this island on the artistic spirit.
The great one, Sam Cooke is honored with an island-happy version of "Another Saturday Night" as is Garth Brooks with
"Two Pina Coladas," while "Key Largo" sends Birtie Higgins back to Juliard. . .here's lookin' at you, kid.
Though not the title tune, I chose his third original, "Island Time," as my review title. This instrumental tribute to Keys life
starts as a quiet serenade and breaks into a Smathers Beach calypso party. . .you can almost smell the shrimp boiling and taste the rum pouring.
This cayo bounty is nothing short of exquisite, a quintessential melodic portrayal of why most of us locals never
leave our beloved island of dreams. And why should we, "Island Time" is our time in the sun.
-Fast Eddy, "Paradise This Week"