Search - David Gans :: Ones That Look the Weirdest Taste the Best

Latest David Gans CD

Jonathan Winer | Rome, OH United States | 08/19/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Ones That Look The Weirdest Taste The Best, according to singer/songwriter David Gans. That is the title of his latest CD, and a line from a new song, recommending locally grown produce-- The Bounty Of The County. Mr. Gans is the creator and host of The Grateful Dead Hour syndicated radio program, a music journalist and author of several books about The Grateful Dead. He began performing as a San Francisco area musician in 1970, prior to cultivating his broadcasting and writing talents. After the death of Jerry Garcia in 1995, Mr. Gans re-focused on his roots as a musician, performing nationally and releasing on CD a collaboration with Eric Rawlins titled Home By Morning in 1997, followed by Solo Acoustic in 2003, Solo Electric in 2005 and Twisted Love Songs in 2007.



If you are acquainted with the catalog, you will note that eight of the eleven songs on The Ones That Look The Weirdest Taste The Best can also be found on an earlier release, but oh my, what a difference. On Weirdest, Mr. Gans is joined by a host of friends from bands such as Railroad Earth, Hot Buttered Rum, and Jewels and Binoculars. Backed by a wide assortment of stringed instruments, percussion, keyboards and occasionally horns, Gans presents familiar songs with a fresh vitality and textural richness. These guys put down some mighty sweet licks. Shove In The Right Direction gets a rockin' bluegrass feel. An American Family features powerful drums and an eerie instrumental jam that would bring a smile to Mr. Garcia's face. Save Us From The Saved is re-born here, including exquisite violin work that creates a dark and haunting mood. Like A Dog yowls melodically, with teasing horn arrangements. It's Gonna Get Better in fact is better, with backing vocals and lush instrumentation.



The Ones That Look The Weirdest Taste The Best offers perhaps the finest available presentations of these songs, ten of which were written or co-written by Mr. Gans. The soundstage is full and nicely balanced. All but one of the songs were recorded at Mix-o-Lydian Studio, and all were expertly HDCD mastered by Joe Gastwirt. Listen through earbuds if you must, but this recording sounds marvelous cranked up on a good home system.



If you've not yet added the music of David Gans to your collection, this is a perfect time to start. If you've enjoyed any or all of the earlier releases, you'll find familiar songs on this CD that never sounded so good.







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