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New Album Review
Portland, Oregon - I just received an advance copy of the new Robert Cray album from management in San Francisco. I was expecting a promo CD weeks ago, with some liner notes, credits, photos etc., that I could refer to and write about. Instead I received a home-made cassette. Heck, I don't even own a cassette player anymore. But this wasn't any big problem. Maybe it's a way of censoring me, even though I would never write a bad review. I was happy just to get an advance copy at all. (normally I prefer to listen to vinyl or CD's through my old Eico Stereo tube amp c.1970) Consequently I cannot comment on the mixing and sound of the recordings, because the cassette tape was poorly duplicated.
However, I can tell you about the performance and the songs. I managed to scrounge up a small tape blaster and popped in the tape and hit play. The 1st thing I hear are 4 snare shots and a chorus of horns swell into a Wille Mitchell/T.Bingham written song. "Love Gone To Waste" has a classic Cray, cryin' guitar solo and background singers. The next one is "That Wasn't Me". A great song with great lyrics, written by the ballad master himself, Robert Cray complete with the Memphis Horns. Listen to Robert play a new Gibson Le-Grand guitar through a Leslie cabinet on "All The Way", love the vibrato. "There's Nothing Wrong" has Robert playing a smooth Fender bajo sexto solo. Remember the song "Mustang Sally"? Well the next song "24-7 Man" written by M.Rice/J.Oren/S.Oren will take you back to 1965 complete with backup vocals and the sweet sounding Memphis Horns. The song " Pardon" has Jim Pugh playing keys through a Wa-Wa, a rather cool sound. "Let Me Know" is another of Robert Cray's great ballads with a excellent solo. "It's All Gone" is a really cool groove written by Steve Jordan. Soloman Burke originally performed "Won't you Give Him (One More Chance)". If I had to pick my favorite song on the album it would be "Living Proof", written by Jim Pugh. Robert uses his Gibson Le-Grand again for this one. There are brillant poetic lyrics in the song "What About Me" written by Robert Cray. "Tollin' Bells", written by Willie Dixon finishes this incredible album. Alot of people participated in the making of Robert Cray's most artistic endevour to date. Buy it, you will like it. For more about the new album click here.
© 1999 Zack
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New Ruby Tubes Factory
 Beijing China - For the last four months Tom McNeil of Magic Parts has been setting up his new tube factory. It was after months of negotiating that Tom was able to purchase all of the equipment and designs necessary for dual triode production from the closed factory in Beijing. For many years Tom has provided us with the best 7025's made today. Vibroworld.com still has some 12AX7AC's left from this factory. All of this highly specialized equipment had to be moved. The owners wanted to rent the space out to other companies. This tube factory has been Tom's dream for years. The first 7025s should be rolling in this month.
Once again we can expect to get dependable, quality dual triodes like the 7025, 12AX7A, 12AU7, and 12AT7, capable of burning even more guitar licks into the anals of history.
© 1999 Zack
Vibro-Email-Swamp
Vibroworld.com has experienced a 30-35% increase in Web-Traffic and Email in the 1st quarter of 1999. Sales are up 237% over the same period last year. The increase in Email causes delays in emailing price quotes. This is also compounded by the fact that Zack will be in and out of the office all summmer. Consequently the Email price quotes will be answered 1st and then those needing technical advice or wanting to just comment 2nd. We will always answer your email except those with dead-end addresses. Sometimes it might take a little longer than normal.
© 1999 Zack
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