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Danny Gatton Rocks
GATTON ROCKS AGAIN
Dan Forte - Vintage Guitar Magazine

Any previously unreleased recordings of the late, great Danny Gatton are big news, and these are no exception. In the early '90s, singer Mike Campbell (stage name "Sweet Mikey C," to avoid confusion with Tom Petty guitarist Mike Campbell) was introduced to Gatton via his drummer, Shannon Ford. The three produced 11 tracks spread over two sessions – one rock and roll covers, the others co-penned by Campbell.

Sweet Mikey C is a bit of a vocal chameleon, sounding like early Roy Orbison on the opening cover of the Sir Douglas Quintet hit "She’s About A Mover" and mixing in some Buddy Holly influence on his own "I Know The Way By Heart."

This is the type (or one type) of music Gatton reveled in, and every lick reveals what a blast he was obviously having – his Tele simultaneously singing and snarling.

For Elvis’ "Got A Lot Of Livin’ To Do," the Jordanaires provide background vocals, and Danny switches to his Gibson ES 295, with plenty of rockabilly slapback. Gene Vincent’s "Be Bop A Lula" is given a slightly updated, funkier beat, but Gatton stays close to Cliff Gallup’s guitar lines.

The spooky original "Killer On The Loose" contains some of Gatton’s most impressive playing, spotlighting his cutting tone and snaky, rapid fire licks.

Rather than supplement the 11 Campbell/Gatton tracks (about 35 minutes) with enough material to fill out one CD, Mikey sat on the tapes for a dozen or so years, then gathered Gatton’s rhythm section in Nashville (with Ford again drumming and co-producing) to pay tribute to Gatton.


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