Waldon Reed, Jr.: From Today Until Dark

John W. Patterson

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Published: November 1, 2001

For well-executed jazz fusiony guitar that swings regularly into instrumental rock environs with ease and finesse, Waldon Reed, Jr. is a recommended listen. This is his 2nd release. Imagine Tommy Bolin and Joe Satriani decided to do some Holdsworthian legato runs and got hooked on the feel of fusion in much of their riffs. That’s what I hear here.

Best cut is “Blues Emporium (Part 2)” where Reed lets it all come out, all his best moves and liquid crunch. I like Reed’s voicings, tone, and attack on each note. He creates a certain suspense and holds interest in his soloing. A relaxed waltz in Reed’s riffage is evident on most songs. He avoids flash and empty technique to enable soul and thus ephasize melodic song vs. look-at-me showiness.

For some great axe crunch in that Marc Bonilla or Jaye Foucher mood do sample his “From the East” cut! Much of Reed’s compositions reflect a blue to mellowed mood exuding a sombreness of deeper contemplation - ergo relaxing, even some lilting flute is featured in one track. My next fav song, “Suggestions”, features a McLaughlinesque acoustic intro that breaks into a Dregsian crunch in a Morse saunder with a Montrose mean solo. Another song worthy of mention is “Almost Rock” with a grest bass solo by Paul Laginess. Reed of course, wails on axe quite deftly with fusiony rock ease. Give Reed your attention soon. Strong tunes here. Do it again, Waldon.

Cyberhome: http://www.waldonreed.com

Style: Fusion/Progressive Rock