Search - Alex Bugnon :: Southern Living

Arletta T. from HONOLULU, HI
Reviewed on 4/2/2010...

This is hands down the best CD. I live in the south and he captures the feeling perfectly. Wow! Great work Alex. It will stay in my player for a while.

A step forward, a look backward

Steven Swain | Rocky Mount, VA USA | 10/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For years Alex Bugnon has been quietly creating an ever-so-slightly funked-up version of contemporary jazz, subtly innovating the genre with gospel and R&B edges, much to the delight of a small core of fans, but at the same time alienating many supposed jazz "purists," put off by the soul and heavy synthesizer elements of his work.As a change of pace, and likely as a nod to that latter contingent, Alex ditched many of the excessive keyboards found on previous albums and stuck to piano and Fender Rhodes on this 2003 release, "Southern Living." Not to worry, fans, he kept the soul and added on a little more of that influence. It's refreshing, even as a hard-core Alex Bugnon fan, to see this simplicity. Change is both essential and good sometimes.Recorded in Atlanta with musical friend Phil Davis and some of Atlanta's better studio musisicans (as opposed to Charles "Poogie" Bell, David Delhomme and other Bugnon stalwarts) the album sounds like an easy afternoon in the South, creating a fresher feel than the usual Bugnon albums, while still sounding like Alex. The title track, "Lonely Nights," "Sweetwater Creek" and "Slow Drag" will get your attention on the first listen."Southern Living" contains remakes of two of Alex Bugnon's signature hits, a practice most recently seen on "Soul Purpose" (2001). "108*" is a softer reworking of 1991's "107* In The Shade" (from the album of the same name) that, true to form, is a bit hotter than the original. By contrast, the reworking of 1990's "Missing You" as "Missing You Like Crazy" left me cold. "Missing" from "Head Over Heels" didn't need vocals and a bastardized version of its melody. It's a decent song, but the original deserved better justice, if it was to be remade at all.Despite that gaffe, I encourage you to give this album a try, It's worth it for Alex Bugnon fans and non-fans alike."

A Must Have

Mint2b | Columbia, SC United States | 01/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Alex Bugnon is one artist who has consistently put out music that you can buy with assurance that the whole CD will be good. He did not disappoint on this one. This CD is smooth, funky, and laid back all at the same time. The quality of the songs equal and exceed anything that's available at this time. As a resident of the "South", this CD does indeed capture the feel of southern living. If you like great smooth jazz, this is a "must have" for your collection. I wish the bonus song was longer. I could feel the vibe that was happening during the recording. Maybe it will show up on a future project."