Folsom Prison Blues - Jim Campilongo, Cash, Johnny [1]
The opening strains of the newest work by The City's own guitar god are only faintly heard in the background: what sounds like the ominous opening of Jethro Tull's "Aqualung". But it's only a momentary flash, an omen, if y... more »ou will, before Campilongo plunges headlong into his most satisfying, and yes, heaviest, album yet. The hard-working picker, who has made a home of the club-within-a-club upstairs at the Paradise, has made another album of dazzling Western swing-meets-jazz-meets blues-meets-country, which has become his patented trademark. I love the Spaghetti Western flavor of "Sergio vs. the Moth", the sweet melancholy of "Tiramisu" and the honky-tonk of "Tic Toc," which makes you want to put on your cowboy boots and line dance. Campilongo stretched a bit on this one, and came up with a winner. - Jane Ganahl, SF EXAMINER« less
The opening strains of the newest work by The City's own guitar god are only faintly heard in the background: what sounds like the ominous opening of Jethro Tull's "Aqualung". But it's only a momentary flash, an omen, if you will, before Campilongo plunges headlong into his most satisfying, and yes, heaviest, album yet. The hard-working picker, who has made a home of the club-within-a-club upstairs at the Paradise, has made another album of dazzling Western swing-meets-jazz-meets blues-meets-country, which has become his patented trademark. I love the Spaghetti Western flavor of "Sergio vs. the Moth", the sweet melancholy of "Tiramisu" and the honky-tonk of "Tic Toc," which makes you want to put on your cowboy boots and line dance. Campilongo stretched a bit on this one, and came up with a winner. - Jane Ganahl, SF EXAMINER
CD Reviews
Awe-inspiring, creative guitar playing
07/10/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jim Campilongo is a God on guitar. It's not just that he's technically good, but it's that he plays with so much creativity, humor and intensity. The 10 Gallon Cats support him superbly, rocking out when they need to but laying low on the quieter tunes. And once again, Joe Goldmark is fabulous on pedal steel.This CD is a little more rockin' than the band's previous releases, and it makes for a more varied approach. Incredible."
Heavy - an amalgam of all that's brilliant in sound.
Kevin Barber | Alameda, CA United States | 11/30/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"San Francisco guitar legend Jim Campilongo has turned up to eleven with this raucous instrumental. Retaining all the intensity and guitar wizardry he's known for, Heavy is a heavyweight in musicianship.Rooted in a blend of classic country, jazz and whatever else he invents, Jim and his Telecaster ride way past the cowboy sunset and into their own musical genre. The emotional, soulful and often tender guitar of Campilongo surrounds intoxicating compositions that twist and turn through a myriad of styles. His tone is clean then gritty, jazzy then twangy. In 'How's It Goin'? Not Much' he and Joe Goldmark's slinky pedal steel shift between tempos in a swinging musical dialogue that is simply amazing. The arrangements and playing of Jim and the 10 Gallon Cats are beyond compare.This is an outstanding record from one of the finest guitar players on the planet. Intelligent, intense and fun, Heavy weaves a unique tapestry of melody that will captivate any music aficionado. Call it what you will, Country - Americana - Jazz - Rock or Blues, it's Heavy."
A great cd!!
Kevin Barber | 11/25/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I own all of Campilongo's cd's and enjoy them all but my personal favorite is "Heavy". It cover's the wide gamut of songwriting skills Campilongo has demonstated over the last decade and it's why this cd has remained in "steady rotatation" since I first heard it. Campilongo has a great sense of humor on "Pat and Patsy" and "Dagger through my Heart" but this record also includes the sentimental darkness that is so present on "Table for One". "Like Butter" is worth the price of admission with it's gut wrenching solo over a "Jon Bonham" drum groove. Campilongo's cd's are about songs that convey a mood more then guitar music for guitar players.A great cd!!"
Great country/jazz player
Kevin Barber | 11/14/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Check this guy out he can really play and he has a wonderful sense of what to play. I like this record a lot because it covers a wide range of emotions, from sweet to wild-man to virtuoso and back. The pedal steel guy on the record ain't half bad, either, lol."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1