Hot Rod Guitar: The Danny Gatton Anthology

Amazon.com
Gatton was such a genre-jumper that he never found a commercial niche; instead, he was the guitarist's guitarist, fluent and fluid in various forms of rock, country, jazz, and blues. But he clearly had an innate fondness for country, especially bluegrass (perhaps that's what made him the fastest picker of his time). Among the country-oriented highlights here are the scintillating "Redneck Jazz," the rockabilly "Love My Baby" (with Robert Gordon singing), "Sun Medley" (with Delbert McClinton's Fogerty-esque barking), and "Linus and Lucy/Orange Blossom Medley," in which "Steel Guitar Rag" flashes by in a blur. But his country flair also manifests itself in more subtle ways (fingerpicking the blues, for example). If you don't mind a crash course in other American music mixed in with your country--it's not like being forced to eat beets with your burger, after all--then Gatton's your man. --John Morthland

Tracks:

Honeysuckle Rose
Harlem Nocturne
After Hours
Redneck Jazz
Sax Fifth Avenue
Canadian Sunset (Live)
Love My Baby (Live)
Lappin It Up
Notchco Blues
Funky Mama
Elmira St. Boogie
Blues Newburg
Quiet Village
Dolly's Ditty
One For Lenny

Tracks:

Funhouse
So Good
Sun Medley (Mystery Train/My Baby Left Me/That's All Right)
Cruisin' Deuce
Broadway
Gearheads
Kindred Spirits
Poinciana
Red Label
Gold Rush
Busboy
Linus & Lucy/Orange Blossom Medley (Live)

Amazon.com

Gatton was such a genre-jumper that he never found a commercial niche; instead, he was the guitarist's guitarist, fluent and fluid in various forms of rock, country, jazz, and blues. But he clearly had an innate fondness for country, especially bluegrass (perhaps that's what made him the fastest picker of his time). Among the country-oriented highlights here are the scintillating "Redneck Jazz," the rockabilly "Love My Baby" (with Robert Gordon singing), "Sun Medley" (with Delbert McClinton's Fogerty-esque barking), and "Linus and Lucy/Orange Blossom Medley," in which "Steel Guitar Rag" flashes by in a blur. But his country flair also manifests itself in more subtle ways (fingerpicking the blues, for example). If you don't mind a crash course in other American music mixed in with your country--it's not like being forced to eat beets with your burger, after all--then Gatton's your man. --John Morthland

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic Variety Guitar Music.......2006-11-10

I have to admit that I'm bias,I really enjoy Danny Gatton's music,but I'll try to be as impartial as possible.Danny is one of America's greatist unknown guitarist that ever lived,god rest his soul.Danny is extremely versatile.This album,2 CD set has alot of everything that Danny did,with differant versions of his other pieces so it's not the "same ol' stuff"!I'm listening to it now while I write this to be as accurate as possible.There's some rockabilly,some soft jazz,some hard jazz,some country,someharder rock and some,as I call it,humorous muic such as 'Lucy and Linus',and 'The Simpsons'.If your a Danny Gatton fan and was able to see Danny perform live like I have,or even if you didn't but appreciate his music,or a big fan of GOOD guitar music,I certainly do highly recommend this one!

WHAT I LEARNED FROM LEE RITENOUR:.......2005-03-21

I was introduced to the music of DANNY GATTON by Larry Rosen (better known to his friends as F'n Lelly.) In 1994, F'n Lelly (himself a pretty good guitarist in an L.A. Blues band at the time) recorded a cassette for me which he titled, "LITTLE GUITAR DITTIES : LELLY'S FAVORITES." It contained 3 Danny Gatton tracks including the '93 version of HARLEM NOCTURNE, which knocked me out! All these years later, the incredible playing of Gatton still amazes and satisfies. He was one of the most technically proficient musicians to ever sling a six-string; and the most versatile, which more than anything accounts for his relative obscurity.

In 1978, I was on the set of a Lee's Sportswear commercial which featured the renowned Jazz guitarist, LEE RITENOUR. I happened to be standing nearby when he spoke to another musician about this new inventive guitarist named EDDIE VAN HALEN who had just arrived on the scene. In demonstrating Eddie's "tapping" technique, Ritenour whipped off a perfect Van Halenesque solo. My jaw dropped! I was an 18-year-old "Rock 'N' Roll Actor" at the time (a silly phrase I had coined for myself to describe my attitude as a performer) and I was heavily into Rock music back then. I later struck up a conversation with Ritenour and asked him what he thought of several other Rock guitarists who were popular at the time. I was surprised to hear him say, "They're all good."

The proverbial "lightbulb" above my head lit up that day. It occurred to me that usually very little difference in technical facility separates the artists of any medium at the highest levels of professionalism. The greatest artists achieve legendary status and eternal fame not so much on their technical ability, but based on their innovations and/or stylistic approach.

It's not because VAN GOGH was the greatest painter of his time that his works now sell for millions of dollars. He had a style all his own : landscapes composed of brilliant colors applied to the canvas as if in an emotional rage! Nearly every EDWARD HOPPER painting conveys a sense of lonely isolation. That was HIS style. As an actor, JAMES DEAN said that in one hand he had Marlon Brando saying "f*** you!" and in the other he had Montgomery Clift saying "help me!" This approach in combination with a fertile imagination made him an eternal silver screen legend. For a long time, Big Band leader, GLENN MILLER sought to capture the unique "sound" he heard in his mind. In putting together arrangements, he eventually stumbled upon it. By using a clarinet or alto sax in tandem with four other saxes, doubling an octave above the lead, he created the Glenn Miller Sound that made his music instantly recognizable thereafter. JIMI HENDRIX was a good player, but Danny Gatton could have played circles around him, and so could many other guitarists who came later. But Hendrix created a whole new sonic palette within the Rock music framework, and that's why he's fondly remembered today.

DANNY GATTON was a technically GREAT player who excelled at every musical genre. This compilation is a heartfelt guitar potpourri. Whether plugging in the incandescent candles on a midnight romance (SAX FIFTH AVENUE), kick-starting a heart with unbridled electricity (NOTCHCO BLUES), exploring Jazz Avenues at dusk (KINDRED SPIRITS), or rocking your car during the dark rides (FUNHOUSE), Gatton displays both muscularity and sensitivity. His playing was first-class; never maudlin or affected. He may have sacrificed a musical composition to hotdogging once in awhile (ORANGE BLOSSOM MEDLEY), but hey, even that was enjoyable! A couple of reviewers seem to think that "music" is defined by lightning runs over the frets. Well GATTON displays hyperspace speed when he wants to, but if that's all you're interested in, you will miss the shimmering gorgeousness of delicate pieces like CANADIAN SUNSET and POINCIANA. As a person's taste in music matures, they come to discover that speed does not even register on the list of essential elements. A fine illustration of what I'm referring to can be found in the great (Jazzy) Blues guitar album, 'GOOD HANDS' by DANNY CARON, which I recently reviewed here on the Amazon website.

Releasing his first eclectic album for Elektra, and pondering the direction of his future recordings, GATTON said, "I can't afford to get shelved. It all depends on the public whims." This may account for his anonymity. Other than his prodigiously developed technique and mind-warping speed, GATTON did not have an immediately recognizable signature sound, a unique personal style (heck, even Tom Scholz of Boston had that!) and he was not the pioneer of any guitar innovations. If widespread fame was what he sought, perhaps he should have mined for his own musical "voice" - public whims be damned.

Nevertheless, if you want to experience the playing of a true six-string master in a variety of settings with some world class accompaniment, then you'll be thrilled by this 2 disc set. Purchase 'HOT ROD GUITAR' (along with Danny Caron's aforementioned 'GOOD HANDS'); you won't regret it. You can trust me; I've never lied to you before have I? And be sure to tell 'em that Stephen and F'n Lelly sent you!

He is still the best guitarist I ever saw.......2005-01-07

I like Satriani, Johnson, Keaggy, and other masters. But Danny was the best, IMO. He could do almost anything with a Tele, simple setup, and a Heiny beer bottle slide. He was unpretentious on stage, not much for flash or jumping. The first time I saw him (of many) I walked into Babes in DC and thought "Hey, this guy is clean and GOOD!" Walked over to the little platform and suddenly thought, "Geez, can't this guy afford a second guitarist instead of a tape machine to play against?" But it quickly became apparent that he was the only guitarist there. Wow! He was playing two full parts at once, lead and rhythm, in the "sound holes" of each part. Yet he made everything look so simple and easy.

Listen to Elmira St. Boogie and Blues Newberg, *all the way through several times,* and hear a true artiste's soul come through more with each listening. The amazing technique, the build, the touch and feel, nothing overdone, perfect tones at each moment, all the nuances and subtleties...Perfection perfectly perfected.

All I wanted for Christmas was more Danny G.......2004-12-26

As expexted. Just incredible. I already have a few Danny G. CDs and simply needed more. This anthology gives just a taste of everything
Danny can do from rockabilly to redneck jazz. I'm a guitar freek and a player, I truly believe he is the best I've ever heard. And I have heard Hendrix seen Ingwei, Stevie Ray and Eric Johnson. Buy this and you will hear why he is known as the "Humbler" by the likes of Chet Adkins and other greats. Buy this or "88 Elmira Street" or "Cruisin Duces" and you'll be diggin in your wallet to buy more. I wish I could have seen Danny Gatton.......

Rock-a-Billy Best ... but could play Anything.......2004-08-18

I have seen a few(except young Peter Green)... Danny made his way down South occasionally. Gatton was beyond Tech. Music flowed as Jimi & Stevie's notes did... effortlessly, yet angsted. Harlem Nocturne is worth the price of the CD alone. Unbelievable! Premier Rock-a-Billy Pick'n, as Paul Burlison.

Music Album:

Music Album