Reviews
"Genre Warping"
"a perfectly eclectic accumulation of tracks."
"Aven’s musicianship is totally celestial."
"Dick Aven’s Spin So Long is decidedly mellow, from start to finish. It’s the interesting kind of mellow, though, and never dull. Go ahead and spin to this one, albeit on the gentle cycle."
"‘Spin So Long’ is a melting pot of moods and genres. This is an album that feels like the result of a lifetime of musical expression. It’s bold, unapologetic and daringly unique. Oh, and one hell of a good listen."
Dick Aven Releases Genre Warping Album ‘Spin So Long’
After listening to ‘Spin So Long’ from Dick Aven, it’s hard to comprehend that he’s played each instrument that’s sewn into the soundscape. Yet, the Tennessee based singer-songwriter surely has. Dick Aven’s most recent album is a perfectly eclectic accumulation of tracks. It’s impossible to pin down the genre of this album, I’d be too scared of boxing in the colourful musical personality. For an artist with such a rich history as a musician, it’s easy to guess why. Dick Aven has been the saxophonist for a host of musicians including The Tuscaloosa Horns, The Temptations and recently tenor sax with The Big Band of Brothers. He’s also secured a record deal as one half of a folk-pop group and been a force to be reckoned with as a studio musician. So, it’s no wonder why there are currents of rock and roll, blues, jazz and soul swimming throughout its sonic landscape.
Dick’s signature saxophone is a comforting constant throughout the whole album. It decorates each track with refreshing refrains and wildly impressive runs. There are two vocalists in this album, Dick Aven and the astoundingly articulated sax sentences. Speaking of vocals, Dick Aven’s vocals on this album are golden. His unique tone melts into the mood of each track. ‘Fly Into The Fire’ boasts a vibrant vocal performance from Dick. He effortlessly swings into falsetto, but only just for a moment, allowing the tender side of his tone to reign. Then, as quickly as he climbed up, he cascades down to command us once again. His melodies meander through the groovy guitars, intricate percussion and thick saxophone lines of the track. Yet, the earthy air of Dick’s vocal can’t help but take centre stage. The title track ‘Spin So Long’ also shows off his impressive range. His saxophone punctuates his melodies perfectly, creating a beautiful duet quality that dances throughout the whole album. The poetry of the lyrics throughout the whole album is captivating, yet ‘Weightless’ stands out for me most. It really feels like Dick Aven is asking us to go within, ask ourselves the questions he poses and find for ourselves what makes us feel as light as a feather. ‘Spin So Long’ is a melting pot of moods and genres. This is an album that feels like the result of a lifetime of musical expression. It’s bold, unapologetic and daringly unique. Oh, and one hell of a good listen.
Released in December 2021, Spin So Long is a fitting title for Dick Aven’s new album. The industrious singer and songwriter really put his creativity on blast with an alluring collection of eleven tracks that border along the musical terrains of Americana, blues, jazz, and popular music.
Spin So Long opens up with a track called Stirred Up. As the opening track totes a funky melody, listeners will be equally astonished by the lead and backing harmonies that spread across the song’s rhythm like the wings of a bird. Aven’s musicianship is totally celestial. The effort put into the album’s post-production and mastering nurture the project’s rich live-band sound. The track It’s Something is a perfect testimony in this regard.
Amazingly, we find that most of the tracks on Spin So Long not only melt into each other but can each stand as a single on its own. This is largely due to Aven’s expertise and inventiveness as a songwriter. Although many of the tracks mirror each other in sound quality, they also carry a strong air of distinction. Along with the passion tied to his vocalization, Aven imports different instruments on each and every track, which gives so much depth and continuity to Spin So Long. Aging In Place is a great example of Aven’s versatility and range as a musician. Spin So Long is a soulful masterpiece that charms our hearts and minds with the good music that we all have missed.