Danny Gatton
PORTRAITS
Big Mo 2030
available on cduniverse
One wonders when getting something that is done posthumously, why it was not released before? Is it of inferior quality? Is there something the artist didn't like about it? Is it just to make a buck on the death of the artist? Rest assured in this case this is not done just to cash in on the name; this is work that will stand with the work he produced while he was alive. These cuts were taken from various studio sessions over a 12-year stretch; the last 3 songs are taken from a live television special done in 1989. The songs cover a variety of the flavors of guitar work that Danny enjoyed playing and experimenting with. It is hung together with his phenomenal guitar work. I sit and listen and wonder how in the world anyone could be doing what he is doing with only 2 hands. He is interesting as since his death his legend has grown within the circles in which he was already known, and not spread a great deal further, and he still leaves people shaking their heads wondering how it was humanly possible to do what you just heard him do. Listen to the incredible work he does on PRETTY BLUE. Before you get settled into a groove he hits you with 3 Rockabilly tunes that he loved to do. DANCIN' SHOES, he wrote with Billy Windsor, who did the vocals on this disc. Then if you happen to be one who is only into speed, see if your favorite guitar picker can match what he does on the last 3 songs on this disc. Let's rephrase that, can he play that fast and that clean? This man, though little known, deserves some recognition, if not for his blending and fusing of jazz, country, R & B, and Rockabilly, then maybe it is for his mind bending technique, and if not for that then maybe for the beautiful music that he produced. This is a disc that has something for any lover of music without bowing down to the common goal. It is superb.
Produced by - no credit given
Songs, times and writers
1 RAMBUNCTIOUS - 4:05 - B. Dogett
2 CHESSPLAYERS - 5:23 - W. Shorter
3 MEMPHIS DREAM - 4:45 - D. Gatton
4 PRETTY BLUE - 5:09 - D. Gatton
5 FINE - 4:20 - D. Gatton
6 LOTTA LOVIN' - 3:28 - B. Bedwell
7 DANCIN' SHOES - 2:56 - D. Gatton, B. Windsor
8 7 COME 11 - 9:45 - C. Christian
9 LINUS & LUCY - 2:28 - V. Guraldi
10 ORANGE BLOSSOM MEDLEY - 9:21 - E. Rouse
Musicians -
Danny Gatton - guitars, lap steel,
Jerry Jones - 6 string guitar bass, drums
John Previti - acoustic and electric bass on all songs
Bill Holloman - sax, B3, piano, trumpet
Shannon Ford - drums, percussion
Dave Elliot - drums
Bruce Swain - tenor sax
Billy Windsor - vocals