Search - Danny Gatton :: In Concert 9/9/94

Danny's Last Hurrah

B. J Robbins | La Quinta, CA United States | 11/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Recorded a month before his tragic suicide, this new trio of Danny's plays mostly jazz at this date (with some rockabillty thrown in; Danny was never far away from bluegrass). He opens with a fast blues, as usual, and plays numbers that he has played many times before. One difference is that he is playing on a new guitar: with two necks, one a regular Tele, and the other a six string bass. To judge by the applause, he is playing to a small house at the Birchmere. Not to draw a bigger crowd, to a genius of his caliber, must have been disheartening to say the least. But Danny seemed to prefer his small band of hard core devotees to road travel, so he sort of chose it.
The music is superb. "Secret Love" beyond beautiful. "Blues Newburg" done very slow, is the best interpretation I have heard. The "Surf Medley" is fun (my son tries to play "Apache" like Danny"). "Caraven" is given a rousing treatment. And "Orange Blossom Special Medley", Danny's usual ending number is a wonderful romp through bluegrass, funk, and jazz.
This is one of my favorite Gatton albums. I think it will be yours, too."

The best, simply the best!

Jon Zeipen | Chisago City, MN United States | 01/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was a late listener to Danny's music. I thought I'd heard "the best" and owned a lot of great player's music. Then someone loaned me Hot Rod Guitar, and I've never been the same since. Gatton is the most unorthodox and inventive player I've ever heard. In Concert is SUPURB (inadequate word, actually)! It seems there's never a moment that he doesn't surprise me and his playing makes me laugh consistently (I think, "it's impossible to do that on a guitar!"). Buy this CD, and appreciate greatness! I'll bet Danny and Lenny Breau are having a time!!!"