Gone To Texas

John McVey | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 19, 2002)
• Original Release Date: June 19, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Doc Blues
• ASIN: B00006AFF0
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,889 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #14 in Music > Indie Music > Rock > Blues Rock
  • #35 in Music > Indie Music > Pop > Singer-Songwriters
  • #55 in Music > Indie Music > Folk > Singer Songwriters

Track Listings

1. (I Gotta) Mexican Blackbird

2. I Don't Stutter

3. House On Fire

4. Cruisin' For a Bruisin'

5. Gone To Texas

6. Sweet Little Upsetter

7. Shadows In My Room

8. Whuppit

9. Baby One More Kiss

10. Call My Job

11. Don't Throw Your Love On Me So Strong

12. My Baby's Tired of Working

Editorial Reviews

My take on John McVey is pretty straightforward: He greas'd his skillet & lit his fire in Little Rock, Arkansas and moved to Austin, Texas and cook'd. Starting out with Blues great Larry Davis and literally playing in "buckets of blood" on Little Rock's north and east sides, John noted: "You just had to play like you were going to fight somebody." He hung in there, gigging with Fenton Robison and former Earl Hooker vocalist Frank "Crying Shame" Clark. One evening, Albert King told a blues crowd, "Slim plays just like me. Trouble is, I'M Albert King!" John paid attention and started to develop his own sound. His Arkansas funk, playing-from-the-gut guitar stylings were further enhanced when Larry Davis turned him on to the classic recordings of Earl Hooker and Magic Sam. Moving to (Gone to) Austin, Texas in '86, John began working at the Continental Club and at Antone's with Hook Herrera and the Hitchhikers, which included Alex Napier and Mike Buck. Having already! travel'd overseas with Larry Davis' "Blues with the Girls" tour, he also tour'd nationwide and internationally, first with Paul Orta and then with Lavelle White. John and I first crossed paths in the early '90s, when he came through Wichita, Kansas, backing up Harmonica Man Lewis Cowdrey. Since then I've "Gone To Texas" myself and, living in Ft. Worth, get a chance a couple times a year to hear John and his group, the Stumble, smoke the house down in Ft. Worth at J.&J.'s Blues Bar or down at Joe`s Generic Bar or Babe's on 6th Street in Austin. For his "Gone To Texas" CD, John enlisted the aid of Austin's finest from producer Derek O'Brien on down, with Blues "Goners" like Mike Buck, Barry "Frosty" Smith, Larry Fulcher, Joel Guzman, Riley Osborne and Kim Wilson laying it on the line.Ê All of the "Gone To Texas" cuts have a funky-tone-feel that oughta suit you to a tee. In early 200l I started praying fervently to have a new CD on my turntable that would satisfy my insatiable Blues listening lust. Thanks to John Mcvey and "Los Gone Ones," my prayers have been answered. Wes Race Blues Spectator At Large

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's About Time, July 17, 2002

By 

Jaime Pasekoff (Cambridge, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gone To Texas (Audio CD)

It's about time a blues guitarist came out with something really different. Rarely these days do I hear a new electric blues guitar release that sparks my interest, because so often the "artists" seem mired in imitation.
John McVey's "Gone to Texas" strikes me because there is really nothing to which it can be compared. I could name a few apparent influences, but McVey, as a stylist, has ventured beyond his influences to where the magic of true creation occurs.
This is a phenomenal GUITAR album. Be forewarned: it is not a vocalist's album. Although there are lyrics to every song, somehow the vocals seem secondary, simply sketching the painting. Colors and details are boldly laid out by McVey's guitar, with occasional flourishes from Joel Guzman on accordion, Riley Osbourn on keys and Kim Wilson on harp...all on a canvas of fantastic players from the Texas blues scene. The end results are vivid musical stories, fiery, fun and honest. "Gone to Texas" swept me along and then left me with a sense of satisfaction the likes of which I have not experienced from a new blues album in a very long time.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blues at its best., January 24, 2003

By 

D. Allen "Guru Dave" (Rochester, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gone To Texas (Audio CD)

Listening to John McVey's CD "Gone to Texas" doesn't quite match the energy and artistry that watching him live conveys, but if you can't make it to Joe's Generic Bar on 6th Street in Austin, buy this CD! John's guitar playing is phenomenal and his soulfull, steeped-in-Texas voice is true to the blues genre. So, grab yourself a Shiner bock, crank up the volume on "Gone to Texas", turn down the lights, and be prepared to get blue.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Guitar Genius, July 25, 2002

By 

Blues Surfer (Houston , Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gone To Texas (Audio CD)

John McVey is a genuine Texas guitar genius and this is the best he's ever sounded! All the songs, nine of which McVey wrote, are great but my favorite is probably "I Don't Stutter" because it also features Fabulous Thunderbirds harmonica hero Kim Wilson as a guest. But every one is a prime piece of modern Texas blues and McVey's guitar work and singing are so strong he really doesn't need much outside help. The Austin all-stars backing him on the recording do a great job but his live act, showcasing bassist/vocalist Erin James, is even hotter. Catch him in a club or concert if you ever have the opportunity and you'll be blown away. In the meantime, "Gone to Texas" will more than satisfy your desire for real blues played with power and passion. It's just great stuff from first note to last!