Customer Reviews

Hot Rod Guitar: The Danny Gatton Anthology

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My first exposure to the late, great Danny "The Humbler" Gatton was on "Austin City Limits." I tuned in to watch somebody else, and he was the second act. He came out and just looked like he was kidding around, and not really getting serious. But the sounds... boy howdy, that guitar was talking, singing, laughing, crying! Like it says in the extensive liner notes: "Danny could play anybody else's music; nobody else could play Danny's music." This guy can play ANYTHING on his Telecaster! Hot Rod Guitar is a comprehensive anthology, showcasing Danny playing rock, jazz, country, showtunes ... you name it. Other guitarists named Gatton "The Humbler," but anybody who appreciates fine musicianship will enjoy this 2-CD set. Buy it now, thank me later.

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!

...because they're about to be blown off !

Just purchased this fine compilation of the late Danny Gatton. There's something for everyone here: If you like rockabilly, jazz, country, rock. Danny's genius in being able to tackle all these styles, was perhaps his achilles heel - you can't pidgeon-hole his music (which is a necessity if you're gonna be commercially sucessful.) THANKFULLY, Danny played what he wanted to play. It may have cost him fame and fortune, but for me, I am thankful someone turned me on to his music. Listen to "Funhouse", a snappy, catchy tune that indeed conjures up a festive, party atomosphere. A Telecaster never sounded so good! Also of note is the saxaphone solo - Bill Holloman is excellent! "Harlem Nocturne" is another song that displays Danny's awesome tone. It's errie, bluesy; just magical. This same song includes some Hammond B-3 like you've never heard! I won't say Danny sounds like Stevie Ray Vaughan, but if you appreciate originality, distinct tones, and someone who was just as good as Stevie, only different, then you will not regret this purchase. Buy it - and that's my final answer !

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.

When you hear this CD you have to scratch your head and ask why isn't Danny Gatton's name spoken of with the same reverence as Jimi Hendrix. It bugs me that lesser lights have achieved fame and fortune while Danny Gatton is no longer with us. If you're a fan of the electric guitar you must have some Danny Gatton in your collection. That's an order not a recommendation. I thought Eric Johnson was the most versatile player I'd heard but DG's something else. For newcomers, this anthology is the best place to start. Rockabilly, jazz, chicken pickin..DG excels at a range of styles, playing with speed, lightness of touch and a real good feeling. Forget your shredders, DG is the boss. He may be gone but at least he deserves a posthumous re-evaluation ..now.

The first time I saw and heard Danny Gatton live, I literally got the feeling that I was going to live forever. The skies parted and a geat light energy came down through his fingers and the wood and steel of his Tele. Everything was magic. A truely special person, and I miss him. Buy a Danny Gatton disc, any one.

Gatton was a Guitar God, and it's a damn shame he is no longer with us. Well, if you can no longer experience him live you can at least spin the best of his recorded legacy, and this collection is as good a place to begin as any.

Go ahead, and listen to the angels sing when he plays.

If you don't own nothing from Danny and if you like the great american music, whatever you call it, jazz, blues, country, western swing, rockabilly you can buy this anthology with confidence. It is a very well done selection. You will discover a master at work in various contexts. I miss Danny very much.

.. is how Danny Gatton was described by Guitar Player magazine in the 1980's. The title was accurate - Gatton's playing defied catagorization. His ability to meld nearly every style (from country to rock-a-billy to jazz) and execute it with absolutely terrifying technique is what made him unique. Every serious fan of the guitar needs to have this in their library! We miss you. Danny.

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.......