Solo Acoustic

David Gans | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 20, 2001)
• Original Release Date: March 20, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Perfectible Recordings
• ASIN: B00005AUFQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #457,862 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Capturing the live experience, May 5, 2001

By 

Brian Ferdman (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Solo Acoustic (Audio CD)

The Grateful Dead had a knack for covering a song and making it their own. David Gans is also blessed with this gift. I first listened to the disc without looking at the tracklist, and on more than one occasion, I was surprised to learn that a track was indeed a cover song. His voice and playing style have this strange ability to wrap themselves around each tune and transform it into an effortless piece of music that flows from the heart.

Perhaps David's strongest skill is his ability to wrap himself inside the lyrics of so many different characters. Just listen to his take on Gram Parson's "Return of the Griveous Angel," a song that I never particularly cared for until now, and you can't help but feel for this heartaching character that he creates. And if bittersweet pain is your game, no Dead fan would be disappointed by his heartfelt deliveries on "Brokedown Palace" or "Black Peter."

Of course, this album is anything but a somber funeral dirge. There are plenty of jovial turns on songs such as "Down To Eugene," and Martin Mull's hysterical "Normal." Let's not forget the riotous donning of the jumpsuit for a rocking version of "Elvis Imitators."

If smooth segueways are your game, you'll be hard pressed to top the transition from a majestic "Lady With a Fan -> Terrapin Station" into David's fan-favorite, "River and Drown" which gives way to his Jerry Garcia tribute, "The Minstrel." However,

if you're like me, you'll fall head over heels for the smooth-as-butter transition from "Black Peter" into "Dear Mr. Fantasy" into "Trying."

One last word needs to be said about David's new song, "Who Killed Uncle John?" This song is just flat-out fantastic. Lyrically, the song makes some great statements about the world that has evolved in the wake of Jerry Garcia's passing, but David resists the temptation to give in to cynicism and spins an optimistic and truthful ending to the tale. Musically, this tune couldn't sound more like Bob Dylan in his acoustic prime. Over a heavily accented guitar riff, David punctuates each lyric with fire and drives home the emotions that lie beneath this powerful song.

If you go see David Gans in concert, you're likely to witness a performance packed with skilled playing, impassioned singing, dextrous improvisation, and a fresh dose of humor. Solo Acoustic nicely captures all of those elements into an 80 minute musical journey with many twists and turns but plenty of emotion at the core.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oh, so soothing, April 19, 2001

By 

Janey Fritsche (Mill Valley, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Solo Acoustic (Audio CD)

For the last 2 mornings I've been listening to "Solo Acoustic" while I struggle with a too-tight deadline. David's sweet voice and guitar playing have done wonders to sooth my slightly chicken-fried synapses. His interpretations of others songs are rich with feeling; and he is creating his own classics with songs like "River and Drown" and "An American Family". Really liked his fun style of singing "Elvis Imitators".

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars David Gans - From The Other Side Of The Airwaves, March 22, 2001

By 

Dan Marsh (Media, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Solo Acoustic (Audio CD)

David Gans has been the host of the Grateful Dead hour for more years than I care to remember. Yet there is another side to this man that deserves to be heard and that is his music. In a normal 75 minute set, one can expect anything from soft soothing folk music to high strung topical songs that are bound to get your gander up. On this, his second cd, Gans delivers a mixture of 16 songs that both make you feel good and make you think. The mixture of his wonderful acoustic guitar playing and a voice that can give you many different attitudes is a winning combination. Highlights of the disc include An American Family, River and Drown, Down To Eugene and the Black Peter/Dear Mr. Fantasy/Trying suite. Mr. Gans does more than just incorporate Grateful Dead music into his setlists, he makes them his own by putting a unique stamp of authority on the outings. You owe it to yourself to buy this cd and when Mr. Gans hits your town, support him and your local music scene by going out and seeing a night of great music.