Lost Gonzo Band - Dead Armadillos (20 tracks) +Album Reviews

Honest, intelligent, country tinged good time music.

03/06/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"One of the reasons I still have a record player is so that I can listen to the Lost Gonzo's "Signs of Life" record. They're best known for writing the theme song for Austin City Limits (London Homesick Blues). This CD contains songs from their 1st 2 records and, while, in my opionion, "Signs of Life" is their masterpiece, any Gonzo is good Gonzo. Songs like "Why Don't We Write a Song" show the honesty and insight that make this band so unique. If you like California Country like the Eagles, this is them without the big city attitude and with great musicianship. A great band in a long line of great bands to come out of Texas, and I'm from New York."

Great songs, lousy packaging

Larry W. Smith | 09/02/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This pulls together the LGB's best LPs -- Thrills and their eponymous debut. The songs are great, tho' mysteriously a couple of songs from the debut album are missing. But, a big-time raspberry to Edsel on the packaging -- particularly the lame liner notes. Seems like an interview with some of the band's principals might have solved some on the mysteries pondered in the notes -- like where are they now, who was M.D.Shafter , etc. Oh well, don't hold it against the Gonzos 'cuz this reissue label doesn't know what it's doing. Get this one today!"

The roots of Cosmic Country

Larry W. Smith | Moulton, AL USA | 07/12/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Is it Blues? Is it Jazz? Is It Rock? Is it Country or Texas Swing? And say, doesn't that sound like something the Beatles did? This Gonzo music is part of the roots of what became known as Cosmic Country. The Lost Gonzo band were masters at creating their own sound, and Dead Armadillos, a re-release of their first two albums is a great introduction. I was lucky enough to be in Texas, and frequently in Austin, during the mid 1970s. There was a lot of good music there and it was infused with a sense of energy, excitment, enthusiasm, and fun that is unparalleled. The music on Dead Armadillos reflects that spirit. Also highly recommended is the Lost Gonzo Band's third album "Signs of Life", which I don't believe has been released on CD. It contains the Gonzo's signature song "London Homesick Blues" (I wanna go home to the Armadillo) which became the theme song for the PBS TV series Austin City Limits."

The Band Behind Many Of The Best Of Austin's Singer-Songwrit

traveling wilbury | Asheville, NC | 10/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the 1970s the new, amazing music coming out of Austin had the national music columnists looking for words to describe it..."Progressive Country", "Cosmic Cowboy", "Redneck Rock", or simply "Austin Music". The music could be experienced at Armadillo World Headquarters, Soap Creek Saloon, or dozens of music clubs in and around Austin.

The core unit of these talented, versatile musicians were Michael Murphey's original backup band in the early 70s, before joining Jerry Jeff Walker and becoming The Lost Gonzo Band.

The Lost Gonzo Band included Bob Livingston, John Inmon, Gary P. Nunn, Donny Dolan, and sometimes Kelly Dunn, Tomas Rameriz, and Jimmy Baker. (On "Viva Terlingua" the band also included Craig Hillis, Michael McGeary, Herb Steiner, Mary Egan, Mickey Raipheld, and Joanne Vent.)

Definitive albums of progressive country---the classic and YET to be released on CD "Jerry Jeff Walker" (his first Austin album, recorded live in the studio), "Viva Terlingua" (recorded live in the dance hall of Luckenbach, Texas), "Walker's Collectibles", "Ridin' High", "It's A Good Night For Singin'", "A Man Must Carry On", (which won a Grammy nomination for a live version of "Mr Bojangles"), etc---well-represent what was going on in Austin in those years.

In the mid-70s the Lost Gonzo Band left Walker, and recorded their own albums. The best of the songs from those albums are included on "Dead Armadillos". But like many great bands, they were at their best performing live.

The Lost Gonzo Band opened for Jerry Jeff Walker in the first season of Austin City Limits. They played outstanding versions of several songs included on this CD, one song flowing into the other. Then Walker came out and they backed him up for one of the most spontaneous and improvised Austin City Limits ever.

A later season of ACL also had The Lost Gonzo Band, without Walker. It was another free-flowing performance.

This CD contains the songs they played in the clubs of Austin in those classic days of Austin music. (A favorite memory ...at the original Soap Creek Saloon, an entire second set was one song flowing into the next, with some great jamming.)

The Lost Gonzo Band came to be known in some circles as Austin's version of The Band, because they could back up any musician like the musician had never been before...and yet also create their own wonderful original music. The individual members of the original Lost Gonzo Band can still be heard live...if you're lucky.

"

Gary p nynn, john inmon, rob libvingston, 3 aces

traveling wilbury | 05/15/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"california country it isnt. its all original its Texas music and you cant get any better. These guys influence all genures of music and expecially the country scene wouldnt be what it is today with out these pioneers. Still fresh and inovative. Check out the campfire records website for another infusion of culture."

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