Danny Gatton - One For Lenny

[GeorgiaBoy1961]

I wish Danny had done more straight-ahead jazz sessions like this one; he sounds entirely at home and at ease among the jazz cats. This is a masterful tribute to Lenny, another musical genius who left us too early...

Modes9, I'm with you... I am enjoying Danny's comping as much as his solo work. Amazing how much better Danny sounds playing with world-class players than with the usual crew. That's no slag on his normal crew; just good to hear him in a different setting.

[Musicenthusiasm]

This track contains one of the most phenomenal guitar solos I've ever heard. Bobby Watson and Roy Hargrove sound really inspired too. What a fitting tribute to Lenny Breau!

[livemusichere]

I wish I coulda heard more brother. See ya next time.

[honeboy57]

Great album start to finish and quite different than the rest of his recordings.

Essential for Gatton fans.

[nephetula]

Paisely's bag of tricks is very limited, he's way too repetitious. Brent is far more capable, but still lacks the imagination and scope of Gatton's work. When Danny was 'on', his chops were outrageous, but much of his live stuff is way understated. He was, at times, the greatest, and at others, just very very good.

[Modes9]

I like his comping more than his soloing. Danny just seemed to have a never-ending supply of double-stop and three-note-chord ideas. In an era when flashy single-note solos seem to be the only thing that matters, I really admire his commitment to being a great rhythm section player. He's as cool as Toninho Horta, Mick Goodrick, or Lenny Breau in that way.

[dyskover]

Which "Lenny" is this song about? Uniquely creative Jazz Guitarist Lenny Breau?...

or is it about Lenny Bruce? You all know both of these creative geniuses don't you?

[popsgt17]

One of THE BEST guitarists I've ever seen... or heard! And I've seen Hendrix!

[Maniac69Guitar]

I agree Brent Mason and Brad Paisley are very good guitar players, However, If you sat those three in the same room, it would be very obvious who had more depth and technique and chops honestly. Gatton had an unlimited amount of Aces up his sleeve he could pull out anywhere at anytime. lol. Only person I think could possibly touch Gatton at his style might be Scotty Anderson. And that's Scotty eating his wheaties on a good day. Of course fingerstyle I think Chet might have had the hand

[popsgt17]

@Maniac69Guitar  Sorry, but Danny was better than all those you've mentioned.

[jsnmlny1972]

@Maniac69Guitar Tommy Emanuel is the only one on Dannys level,,actually above in differant aces up sleeve ways,,cant imagine tho if Danny was still around,what a waste to have that much and not stay around,guess we'll never know,RIP Danny!

[taildragger53]

DG was such a versatile player...sheer genius from a different era.

We'll never see the likes of him again.

[GeorgiaBoy1961]

Sure wish DG did more recordings like "NY Stories" with the top jazz cats... it was a dream of his to do an album like this, and he sounds totally at home. Hearing this makes me wonder what surprises Danny would have had in store for us had he stuck around. Sure do miss him. This tune is one of my DG favs....

[gattonmaster]

@GeorgiaBoy1961 Cheers Buddy its me gattonmaster.

[flinx649]

@gattonmaster Have you seen the Capitol Stories profile of Danny Gatton?

[GeorgiaBoy1961]

@gattonmaster: Hi Don, how are you? I knew with the way you watch the comments on DG, I'd hear from you! I got you figured out, buddy... hey, you got good taste in music, though. Speaking of good music, I found someone we should go see sometime - plug in Reginald Robinson with the keywords "piano" or "ragtime" and have a listen. He's very impressive in this style of music, if your tastes run to that sort of thing. I love ragtime, so I dig him.

[flinx649]

Beautiful song!

[kcocking]

this song is beautfiul. i love this album.

[bakinek]

Gatton was Hendrix

[kevindlinc]

Nobody could touch Danny,period.

[TheJobbery]

Awesome tune.

[taildragger53]

Danny Gatton was a groundbreaking genius. Whatever he played turned into a masterpiece. I can't think of any guitarist who was as versatile. God rest his soul.

[canadianRadio]

This Lennys Melody.. awesome.. Just wicked.

[GeorgiaBoy1961]

Texanonfire, when Brad Paisley can lay stuff like this down, then I'll mention him in the same breath as Danny Gatton. That's no slam on Paisley, a bonafide superstar and monster player - but DG was unique. Actually, would love to see BP cover some jazz in NYC like a modern-day Hank Garland; that would be cool... but don't see it happening nowadays.

[GMoorefan115]

@GeorgiaBoy1961 You got that right,it seems like everyone is afraid to go out and break free from their comfortable little niche,whereas back in Hank's day and even Danny's there was a little bit more reckless abandon amongst musicians.They were more apt to push the envelope a lil' instead of resting on their laurels.Just my opinion :) . Anyway this is one of my favorite and prized cd's a true "Dessert Island Albums"! I find myself breaking this out more and more as it never fails to entertain!

[pauljannone123]

I wish Danny was still around, I miss his music a real lot, definitely one of my favorites.

[Mark8395217]

Danny played for ME... no insult to anyone reading this but he played exactly what I enjoyed and I'm sure he played it the way he did because he KNEW what I liked! Looking back on the DC music scene when Danny was around, I have to wonder what the hell everyone else in the country was thinking about when it came to music. We are all unique, Danny is clear proof ot that.

[zthetha]

@Mark8395217 Hate to suggest you are not a unique soul - I am sure you are - but Danny has the self same effect on me - it's just what a guitar SHOULD sound like - his phrasing, his musicality, his technique were immaculate.

[flinx649]

@zthetha Hey sorry...there's 3 of us then...Danny was special....usually guitarist like him...most people have never heard of him...this is really a great song...all instruments are played at a top notch level...some great musicianship...i need to pick up this cd.

[zthetha]

@flinx649 WOW! Our exclusive little club has just grown by 50%!

[GMoorefan115]

@zthetha Indeed sir,indeed!

[zthetha]

@GMoorefan115 Many thanks or your endorsement - had to check what it was I'd said and so had the sublime experience of hearing again this small chunk of heaven that fell to earth.

[Bass5el]

Heartbreakingly beautiful...

[canadianRadio]

I hear Lenny in the melody.

[jmsbk12345]

Sublime. The master at work.

[nomadicjazz23]

awesome song!

[zthetha]

Fuckin fenomenal! I just came across a moronic comment by some fukwit saying Brent Something -or- other - the mindess twiddling guy - could play better than this supreme genius of the guitar. Who are these soulless beings???

[VerhipBe]

Heathens, obviously.

[chalone2]

or worse! :-)

[Satchmoeddie]

@VerhipBe F--wit should maybe stick to the viral videos of some moron bouncing his cat up and down in front of a piano and watch that along with 6 million other morons, and the 27,ooo of us with taste and the intellect to enjoy this can do so without having to read his critique. Gatton and Roy Buchanan are a couple of the more unknown guys who can really masterfully play a guitar and improvise some real magic.

[flinx649]

@Satchmoeddie Preach it brutha!

[gattonmaster]

your absolutely right; Brent Mason and Brad Paisely could not come close to Gatton at his best; not even close!!!

[texanonfire]

Gatton was a great guitarist, but Brad Paisely has laid down some wonderfully orginial stuttering,blooming, and then stingy solos. I have heard him cover many styles, of course Gatton was a gifted innovator.

[geordie54]

@gattonmaster

You're right !!

[Guitarist2098]

@gattonmaster FYI I believe Brent and Brad would both be the first to tell you they couldn't come close to Gatton, very humble guys.

[mollers92]

@gattonmaster ahh come on, can we have just one youtube video of a guitarist where it isn't people just saying who's best and who's shit in the comments. Brent Mason and Brad Paisley are great guitarists, their styles don't even compare to Gatton's.

[TheGattonmaster]

BINGO formally gattomaster/mastercollector

[trcoster]

@zthetha from 3:47-5:57 sounds like mindless twiddling to me.

[zthetha]

@trcoster Hi and thanks for your reply. There was a line in Clint Eastwood's movie about Charlie Parker where he has him say to a fellow musician who has forsaken jazz in favour of the more profitable R&B scene, "I guess that's fine for someone who can only play one tune at once."

[startripping]

this is of course written by mr. Gatton

[Altois]

It's a shame this album was discontinued. It is definitely one of my Desert Island discs.

[eazyebuch]

holy shit

[NixonMcvicar]

indeed.

[hetjaar]

is that a rolex???????

that is the way you start a interview with danny gatton?

[MasterCollecter]

hetjaar your right. Heres another one; next time you watch 87 Guitar Show watch Dannys expression being interviewed by this prettty boy who says Dannys future looks real rosey. You can tell Danny feels this guy is not the real deal; his expression at times were hilarious; that discusted distrust; ha. mastercollector

[MasterCollecter]

Just the comment it looks real rosey; but he's pretty cool and they talk about Lenny Breau, and Steve Morse.

[646879]

ok now i got to go to the music store...thanks

[Nileswest1969]

new york stories is very hard to find and get but well worth it! it's a masterpiece of music in my opinion! i found it on the web after searching for it for a long time, so don't give up! ps the whole cd is excellent because of danny but all the player's on it are excellent!

[eadg522]

I just listened to that album & couldn't agree more!! It's fantastic.

[nikishaJQ]

my fav is "sleepwalk by the master of the telecaster" clip. addictive

[MasterCollecter]

ALL GATTON FANS PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH YOUR FAVEORITE OR BEST GATTON CLIP IN YOUR OPINION; WHAT SHOW OR WHAT SONG? KEEP YOUR BEST GATTON CLIPS COMING ONTO YOUTUBE AND TELL OTHER GUITARISTS YOUTUBE SITES TO CHECK OUT GATTON. WE DO NEED TO ALL MASS DISTRIBUTE BEST OF GATTON AIDIO AND VIDEO TAPES TOO SOMEHOW!!! mastercollector

[guyrichmond]

Theerion you are right he played the guitar like a keyboard...he was a friend of mine and I saw him live so many times and promoted him in a benefit show once...every time I was blown away! The GREATEST!

[MasterCollecter]

Did you see him in the 70's at 74 A Childe Herald, 75 Annandale Bar and Grill, 76 Psychadilly, 77 Babes, 77 Desperados, 78 Cellar Door, and 79 Cellar Door with Lenny Brea, or 92 Montreal, 89 Annapolis, & 93 Sheldon Hall St. Louis??? mastercollector

[guyrichmond]

I saw him the early 90's in Richmond, Va many times...he once told me that Lenny Breau was one of his heroes!

[MasterCollecter]

Guy, the early 90's good stuff. I've seen the 92 Watermellonfest on video from Richmond. It was kind of a rainy day; they played under a red and white tent but Gatton's guitar was turbocharged. mastercollector

[guyrichmond]

I saw that show live..Billy Windsor told me that they didn't get on the road to Richmond from a Pennsylvania show the night before until 4am...they were exhausted..Danny was guzzling coffee to stay awake...

[MasterCollecter]

Wow Guy; interesting. I love that 92 Watermellon show but whoever filmed it the show is a little dark. Maybe the light in the background but its hard to see Danny cleanly under that red and white tent all the time but I love his playing; he was really on as usual. Could you get a better copy from someone of that show? mastercollector

[MasterCollecter]

Good stuff Guy, Ive read where Danny said Lenny was absoultely untouchable and what a player he was in a radio show one time. I also read he thought Scotty was incredible. I saw a show on video 92 Watermellonfest outside under a red/white tent, great playing. I wish I could get 92 Montreal on video. Danny on that show is literally on fire!!! mastercollector

[guyrichmond]

Danny admired Lenny BUT...Buddy Emmons who recorded and played with both said that Danny Gatton was the only guitarist who had ever blown him away and he could do nothing about it!

[MasterCollecter]

Righ; I remember that article, man what a monster. John Previti said on a radio show he wasn't the challenging type but it you backed him into a corner you had your hands full!!!mastercollector

[MasterCollecter]

Great stuff Guy, what year did you first see Danny? I would have loved to have seen him in 1977, actually 74-77 and the above shows from the 80's and 90's. mastercollector

[guyrichmond]

I first saw him in 91 0r 92 and then saw him 10 or so times after before he died...I promoted a charity concert where he was my main act...what a nice guy! He left a message on my voice mail after Billy Windsor died...I wish I'd kept it...IMO the greatest all-around guitarist of all time...

[MasterCollecter]

Have you heard the live 79 show at the Cellar Door with Danny and Lenny Breau? It's really great, I wish that show were filmed!!! I think Danny was probably in his prime 3 different eras: 1977, 1988, and 1992. He could probably blow anyone ever away if he really had to!!! mastercollector

[55Deluxe]

check out Django sometime

[MasterCollecter]

I have from 1929-1953 including his electric playing. Far a guy with 2 fingers who sounded like 4 pretty wild; and great music like Danny G. Check out Gatton in the 70's; do some research and you'll be amazed; it's worth checking out!!! Mind Boggling; along with these 6 shows 88 Birchmere, 88 Club Soda, 88 Galaghers, 89 Annapolis, 92 Monteal, and 93 Sheldon Hall.

[MasterCollecter]

If I had to pick out the Ultimate Gatton shows from doing research I would say: 92 Montreal, 89 Annapolis, 87 Gallaghers, 88 Club Soda, 88 Birchmere, 88 Gallaghers, 77 Desperados, 77 Babes, 74 A Childe Herald, 75 Annandale Bar & Grill, 76 Pschedelly, 93 Sheldon Hall, 78 Cellar Door, 81 Berley Square LA, 68 Cellar Door, 92 Milwaukee, & 93 Waterfront Pavillion. mastercollector

[gattonmaster]

And 88 US Blues NY, 78 PBS Marylandn TV Redneck Jazz show,  & 88 Gallaghers.

[gattonmaster]

mastercollector to gattonmaster to gattonmas

[angeloamericano]

Too bad no vid. Great recording putting Danny with the best in the big apple. Long live the memory of Danny Gatton and his friend Lenny Breau.

[theerion]

god what a shame danny's gone - unbelievable guitarist. i'd love to play harlem nocturne someday - even 10% as good! :-)

[Nileswest1969]

danny gatton was in my opinion the best that ever lived. no one can play his music, but he can play anybody's and do it better and faster period. just listen to the redneck jazz explosion with emmons it just blows me away! there will never be a guitarist like him again in my lifetime or ever.

[theerion]

you're not kiddin, niles. i've been struggling to follow what he's doing in "sun medley" and well, my brain's bleeding. i spend every lunch with danny (on video doing his hotlicks episode).

[Nileswest1969]

hi theerion, its great to hear from someone who knows great music, and that is precisely what gatton is, i could go on and on about gatton, question, do you have any live video of gatton during the redneck jazz era? I have live in austin in 92 i believe that was very hard to find! I watch that video at least 3-5 times a week. Are you a guitarist or a gatton fanatic like me?

i am looking for every cd this guy did, and some are extremely hard to find and get, thanks

[Nileswest1969]

hi again theerion, if you play harlem nocturne even at a 10% level of gatton i would say your pretty good! I wish i had seen this guy just once, but that will never happen. how much of his music have you heard? he was a guitar genius, i love all his music and styles just awesome!

[theerion]

hiya niles! i've only recently been turned on to gatton, by my guitar teacher (yes i'm a beginner guitarist - been playing for just under a year - check out my vids). my teacher used to be rhythm guitarist for freddie king, so i'm learning ALL sorts of musicians...

[theerion]

.. and yes, I agree. if I could ever play (and I mean really play, no bullshitting) harlem nocturne, hell at 5% gatton, I'd count myself a guitarist of infinite space.  would love to play 'thirteen women' someday too (on guitar, lol)

[theerion]

re: danny's videos - the only one I have is the Hotlicks video he did, which is over an HOUR of INSTRUCTION. i'm boggled by it daily - he's unreal. he played a guitar like a piano

[Nileswest1969]

hi theerion, good luck and don't give up that was gatton, he was relentless! the hotlicks video is great, but you have only seen a tiny and i mean tiny part of what this genius could do! i just got gatton live in austin in 92, you should see him play with the beer bottle a full one and then the towel after! library is closing now, have to sign out, comment back

[Nileswest1969]

hi! theerion, beg borrow or steal his live footage, you will drool! that hotlicks video is great, but his most awesome stuff was on live footage, he does stuff musicians can only dream of! danny will live on forever in my mind, check him out live, you will be blown away!

[theerion]

oh don't worry, my gatton obsession is just ramping up. i'm mesmerized by the LIVE sleepwalk he did that's in my favorites on my channel. in fact, i learned the song last night in part because of gatton's youtube version, and setzer's :-)

[Nileswest1969]

hi! theerion, that's what happened to me at the beginning, about 3years ago, my musician friend played some live gatton, don't remember what, but it ignited a spark deep inside and grown to an inferno, his music runs through my head constantly! i would say i am totally obseesed with his music, it's timeless! if your just ramping up, look out! you will probably become a gatton convert just like me, i am ordering another live dvd of danny at gallagher's in 88

[GeorgiaBoy1961]

@theerion: See if you can find DG's older instructional VHS tape from the 1990s, called "Licks and Tricks for Guitar," Danny does some amazing things and also shares alot of his insider info on RH technique, slide playing, and much more. IMHO, this video beats his later two for Hot Licks. I own all of them, BTW.

And this video predates Arlen Roth, so you don't have to worry about him trying to steal the limelight.