Live in 1977: The Humbler Stakes His Claim

Danny Gatton | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 10, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Powerhouse Records
• ASIN: B000R7I2AQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #58,694 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Recorded at a variety of small clubs in the Washington, DC area, this album features tons of terrifying guitar work by the Master Blaster of the Telecaster. At the time, Gatton was becoming legendary for his blazing speed and explosive displays of improvisational genius. Gatton only recorded two albums under his own name in the 70's so this 10 song collection is quite a treat. The recording quality isn't the greatest---and you hear plennty of audience chatter and tinkling of glasses--but drop the needle anywhere on this album and be preapared to be, well, humbled. Along with displays of superhuman fretwork on cuts such as Sweet Georgia Brown and Danny's Blues, we also get to hear Gatton doing some of his signature tricks--a dicey procedure that involved starting his Echoplex playing whatever was last recorded on it, and then harmonizing over those parts while the band played along. Gatton also enjoyed filling the keyboard role with his own Hammnd B-3 sounding guitar parts, although the laye keyboardist Dick Heintze (whom Gatton cited as a key influence) is featured on the sci-fi madness of Rumble/Harlem Nocturne. The first new commercially available Gatton material to emerge in years, this CD takes you back to a place and time when one could regularly stroll into a bar and watch one of the greatest super-pickers of all time wowing the locals with his mind-bending guitar antics.
Powerhouse Records --Art Thompson Guitar Player Magazine Sept. 2007

The smoke and mirror-driven music business has a funny way of obscuring the true meaning behind phrases like force of nature, yet what other tagline fits Danny Gatton , Washington, D.C.'s Master Blaster Of The Telecaster ?
Anyone witnessing Danny in action could only marvel at his jaw-dropping speed, and unerring execution, which when coupled with his double-and triple-picking made him a truly exceptional player.
Now come these recordings, a unique snapshot of Danny during his '70s prime at venues like the Psyche Delly Bethesda, MD, and Desperados Washington, D.C., and as the crowds' responses attest already carving out a formidable underground legend.
Keep one thing in mind. The '70s would see Danny release just two albums under his own name, the roots-rockin' American Music 1976, and Redneck Jazz 1978, a groundbreaking foray into the country-jazz instrumental work that formed the bedrock of his style.
Danny wouldn't get around to documenting himself again in the studio until the mid-'80s. Then again -- as these versions of standbys like Fingers On Fire, or Redneck Jazz's evocative mood piece, Canadian Sunset, will show he need not have worried, because the hallmarks of his style are already in place.
With cross-country tours as common as UFO sightings Danny's reluctance to leave his family for months at a time being well-documented the shows captured on Live In 1977 would have offered your best shot at seeing him throw down, up close and personal, in his natural environment.
Like many top guitarists, Danny didn't write a lot of his own material, but imposed his stamp on whatever he played: just listen to both versions of Harlem Nocturne, the '40s standard that remained a concert signature throughout Danny's life.
Either way, he sounds equally comfortable comping along those beloved Hammond B-3 organ lines on guitar -- or sparring with the late keyboardist, Dick Heintze, whom Danny named as a key influence.
Sometimes, it only took simple tempo changes to ignite the frenzy, as Danny does on the opening blast of Sweet Georgia Brown -- which starts as a midtempo blues, only to explode into a double-time gallop through the recesses of his improvisational imagination.
This set certainly gives new meaning to the phrase, stop on a dime, and offers a lasting tribute to the ability of men like Joe Kogok, Bobby Hancock, and Evan Johns among the few to play guitar beside Danny as well as drummer Dave Elliott, and bassist John Previti, who devoted two decades of their lives to following their leader's every nod, or arm gesture, during the art of trading fours.
Collectors have savored these moments for 30 years; now, it's your turn, whether you're new to the cause, or curious about what the Telemaster tick musically.
Whatever your reasons, it's great to hear this music exist as more than a gem in someone's tape box. This is the sound of an American musical master rolling up their sleeves, and getting down to business, so enjoy the ride.
--Ralph Heibutzki
Author of Unfinished Business: The Life & Times Of Danny Gatton February 25, 2007 --Ralph Heibutzki (Author of Unfinished Business: The Life & Times Of Danny Gatton)

Product Description

Powerhouse Records is proud to present the latest release from our "Guitarchives" Series--"Danny Gatton Live In 1977-The Humbler Stakes His Claim" This release is comprised of newly discovered and previously unheard recordings made by Danny Gatton's sound engineer Chris Murphy throughout 1977 and 1978. What distinguishes these recordings from other live recordings is that these recordings were actually made with microphones placed in the audience, so there is a real feeling of being right there in the club with glasses clanking and audience responses, rather than the more sterile sound of a board mix.
The set list features some Gatton repetoire standbys such as Harlem Nocturne, two very different versions (one which features a cameo by the late Dick Heintze on Hammond Organ), Fingers On Fire, Nit Pickin', Canadian Sunset and two scorching renditions of Sweet Georgia Brown as well as obscure songs like Cal Tjader's Soul Sauce and two Blues numbers: the slow blues Danny's Blues and the shuffle Walkin' With Danny.
A must for Gatton and guitar fans!!!!!!!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How many more of these?, October 9, 2007

By 

Jazzcat "stef" (Genoa, Italy Italy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Live in 1977: The Humbler Stakes His Claim (Audio CD)

I don't know how many more of these live recordings from Danny Gatton do exist in the world, but if they'll continue to come, I'll continue to buy them. This one by the way, is absolutly one of the best live recordings from Danny. It's exceptional. The recording quality is top notch, it's almost like being there, in the audience. And the music, Gosh the music ... well, Danny plays a wonderful repertoire and I mean it, a WONDERFUL repertoire without ANY weak moment with his trademark TOTAL control of the various american languages, Jazz, country, chicken pickin', blues, western swing, rockabilly you name it. I can't point out a tune, it's too hard they're all incredible ... but if I should I'd say Rumble/Harlem Nocturne, Walkin with Danny and Nit pickin'(6 stars for me for these tunes), but every moment of this album is a gem (the other version of Harlem Nocturne is unbelievable). The tunes are not too long (too long for what?!)... they're too short for me because Danny has such a fantasy in his playing that it's impossible not to have fun listening to him ... for hours, day and night! His sound is FAB, FAB, FA-BO-LO-US, and his fingers fly like God's. For real, this live album is terrific and Danny is a the very top of his game. He was so good it's ridicolous. If there have ever been a virtuoso of the electric guitar that was Danny. I own everything he did and even all his posthumous albums, and I swear this is one of the best in the unreachable list of masterpieces that is his discography. What can I say ... if you know Danny, I swear this is an impressive live album that you'd WANT to own. If you don't know Danny this could be a good place to start, but be prepared to sell your Telecaster (and even your Les Paul ... if you look carefully the picture on the cover here, and if the picture is correct, he had his trademark black beauty with stripes and dingus box in his hands). I'm serious. He killed Che Atkins, he killed Les Paul, he killed Jimmy Bryant, he killed Cliff Gallup ... I mean, everyone in the Jazz/blues/country/western swing/rockabilly contest(apart maybe only Hank Garland in that mix of languages, that was another language in itself, but this is only my opinion and taste of course), ... Anyway he was THAT good.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars RIP dear Danny., May 3, 2009

By 

W L Milo "bearmarketeer" (Austin, TX.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Live in 1977: The Humbler Stakes His Claim (Audio CD)

What can anyone say about the musical anomaly, Danny Gatton. I love Danny. As a guitarist I have been awed and amazed with this album for 25 years. It is still a totally unique experience. Danny in his prime on a good night. The recording is far from the best but we are lucky just to have it. It is called the Humbler for good reason. ANY guitarist to ever walk this earth would be in awe after listening to this other worldly display of musical ability by a deeply focused Danny.

The fact he was also an affable, humble human being that could play multiple styles with equal ease made him difficult to categorize and market. A must have for any guitarist or fan of great guitar music.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good introduction to Danny Gatton, August 24, 2007

By 

MR. D - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Live in 1977: The Humbler Stakes His Claim (Audio CD)

If you don't own any of his music, already,this cd would make a nice intro to the amazing talent that was Danny Gatton. His ability on the guitar was something to behold. Taking a mixture of country,jazz,blues & rock his unique ability to incorporate all these different styles is reminiscent of Roy Buchanan.