Amos Garrett
Off The Floor Live
SPCD 1225
available on cd universe
This is the first live album of this Canadian guitar virtuoso with the wonderful mellow baritone voice (mindful of foggy nights on the West Coast). He and the band, the Eh Team, are in great form here just moving along and laying down a very satisfying and moving groove. Staying all around the genre of the Blues in its many forms, some laid back big band jump blues, the big city Chicago sound, country blues, to the rip out the stops electric blues, its all displayed out there with Amos' rich voice and stunning guitar work leading it along. This is no pick up band. They've been playing together for 10 years now and their grown together familiarity is apparent all throughout this disc. They get their individual chances to shine in many places. Ron Casat ably takes the vocal chores on his writing contribution, LOOKING FOR A SIGN. The shinning gem on this excellent live album is the old Santo and Johnny tune SLEEPWALK. Just listen to the daring guitar walk he takes on the edge with this tune. Or you might want to give a good loud listen to WILLIE AND THE HAND JIVE, the Johnny Otis classic, and try and keep your feet off the dance floor during this astonishing version.
Well a couple of the tunes are too laid back and there is a tension where the listener wants even more of his kick-ass guitar playing.
The Songs - and (writers)
1. Wrong Lake to Catch Fish - (Harold Willis)
2. Bad Bad Whiskey - (Eddie Noble)
3. Maybe It's Because Of Love - ( Percy Mayfield)
4. Just Like A Fish - (Pearl Wood)
5. Walking Blues - ( Robert Johnson)
6. That's What a Little Dream Can Do - (Percy Mayfield)
7. Grasshoppers In My Pillow - ( Huddie Ledbetter)
8. Buried Alive in the Blues - (Nicholas Gracenities)
9. Sleep Walk - (Santo Farina, John Farina, Ann Farina)
10. Goose Grease - (Johnny Heartsman)
11. Looking for a Sign - (Ron Casat)
12. Willie and the Hand Jive - (Johnny Otis)
13. Conversation with John Lee Hooker - (Amos Garrett)
Musicians
Amos Garrett - vocals and guitar
Ron Casat - piano and vocal
Thom Moon - drums
Brian Pollock - bass
Special Guests
David Babcock - tenor sax
Ken Hoffman - baritone & tenor sax
Bill Jamieson - alto & tenor sax
Gary Koliger - guitar