Danny Gatton - Strictly Rhythm Guitar DVD

[RomainChapus]

guitar wonder



[ksmithdc]

Learning the theory & harmony which goes into comping is tough. There's a lot of complex stuff going on. Learning the progressions, voice leading, substitutions, fills, turnarounds, etc.. It can be a life's work. Danny just picked this stuff intuitively and from listening to records. He can do it...and he's a BAD ASS. But conveying the information to other guitarists so they can do it too? No.

[ksmithdc]

Danny Gatton was a genius. He was a brilliant guitarist among brilliant guitarists. But he sucks as a teacher. This video shows his amazing playing skills. (And I guess for that alone we should be grateful it exists). But he's no teacher. I spent two years at a community college learning theory & harmony...and another four years at a university as a music performance major...and I don't know what the fuck he's doing in this video. :)

[jrusselllazlo]

I got news for you newbee's this is 1/10,000 of tricks this bad boy had up his sleeve. You need to see the who's who of guitarists that state emphatically this is the greatest guitarist to have walked the earth. As for me, I have no doubt. Forget the others, nobody had the taste, let alone the skill to mimic Danny. RIP Danny Gatton.

[icsaudiogears]

Amazing!

[MrJdvance]

bitchin guitar

[44eelz]

whats that black box on his amp?

[SpruceCreekTraders]

@44eelz It's a Chandler Digital Echo,  rackmount stereo delay, really good sounding but hard to find and expensive...sold mine a few years ago for $320.00

[Brennan29]

Anybody know what gauge strings Danny used?

[SpruceCreekTraders]

@Brennan29 He used 10's , but would substitute a 15 for the 17 gauge G string.....

[micmoable]

I LIKE THAT FANCY TELE--mother of pearlloid--ha!

[ElevenBravo]

@micmoable That tele is referred to as "The Mother of Toilet Seat" Telecaster... LOL.

[micmoable]

@ElevenBravo Looks wild for a tele---but cool and cool playing Gatton does---wish I played as well--ha!

[micmoable]

@micmoable PERLOID RULES--LOL!

[micmoable]

good player

[bayloft]

Danny had more creativity and artistry using a welder than 99% of the "coddled prodigys" found in most Music schools...real art you could get a hold of for the working man!!! If you don't care for his playing beyond criticizing and analyzing it turn it the fuck off and listen to something else ya friggin' music nazis...

[lukex1337]

If that's not the sweetest rhythm guitar playing ever.. TASTEFUL!

[HORNMAN1959]

This guy so great! why he blows out own brains with gun?

[pmay222]

@HORNMAN1959 got rid of a headache

[clewi1091]

Ive seen this on youtube before but it was longer. 

[nevikmoore]

Danny Gatton always had something interesting to say about technique. Is this instruction DVD still available?

[osiruskat]

Thanks for the post. Danny Gatton is deeply missed. Truly one of the all time greats.

[44eelz]

wheres the rest of it???

[bandana32]

@rawzone1 fuck you

[conor30000]

LOVE DANNY GATTON, do not love that guitar...

[Eldushbago]

man i love both never seen nothing like that

[bingefeller]

lol arguing on youtube.

[TimeLordGuitar]

Who gives a shit if this is not some amazing "bebop jazz" tritone chord substitution" study? It's clearly NOT supposed to a demonstration of such. IN addition- is this is not supposed to be some display of the "limits" of Danny's jazz guitar abilities. Have some common sense for God's sake. Amatuer jazz guitarists are assholes...that is a fucking fact. Learn to play before you make assinine comments.

[Anders1980olsson]

@TimeLordGuitar thx 4 that!

[jazzermonk]

@TimeLordGuitar there are actually a lot of tri tone subs goin on here

[69torus]

@TimeLordGuitar Indeed. Besides, Danny was "pointing" without teaching during the intro to this vid. as he was spelling out a blues form merely by using tritones. The great Steve Khan uses the same idea in his FINE book "Khord Khancepts" as a springboard to a "less is more" approach.

[taildragger53]

@TimeLordGuitar Absolutely right.

I've played Jazz guitar for 40 yrs, although i listen to every type of music, and the end result is the SOUND, not the technicalities.

Wes Montgomery knew nothing about the names of chords etc...just went by ear.

Theory means nothing if one hasn't got SOUL., and most analysts lack emotion.

DG was one of the few unique people who could play any style. Greatly missed, especially by me.

[monkeychicken24]

Apparently, not claiming Danny Gatton is a Jazz God on here is wrong. Also, not being amazed by simple chord substitutions and changing up a chord on the last bar before changing to another chord is blasphemy. I'm a Gatton fan, but I have to say that even though he's a good Jazz player, his style is a fusion from other genres. He's not a Jazz God like some of the people on here make him out to be. It's idiotic to gang up on someone for not agreeing with what you think his style truly is.

[banditvibe]

I think you're a wee-bit exaggerating. No one said it's an "amazing" progression or that he's a "Jazz God", but I do get your point.

As far as DJsoulVox, just watch his instructional videos and come to your own conclusions.

Here's a little nugget: " ..his favorite guitarists at the time were George Benson, Wes Mongomery and Howard Roberts" -- a well regarded guitarist close to Gatton.

I'll be posting some new jazz stuff from DG. Stay tuned..

A treat: search "gatton crosscut"

[chris6120]

Wow. Havent had time to check this "thread" in quite a while because I actually have a life.

Thanks DJ SoulVOX, I think you're an asshole as well. I saw a few of your video posts with you playing guitar in them. Theres really no nice way to say this, but based on what I saw in those clips, then you are the last person who needs to be giving out any "advice" or comments on anything having to do with Jazz, or guitar playing for that matter... sorry man, but the truth hurts...someone had to say it

[wisesatyr72]

I have this VHS check out the stone wash telecaster..very redneckish

[vikingwizardeyes2121]

That is one wild lookin tele!

[derw22]

It's a relief to learn that DJSoulVOX says he's done arguing and perpetuating falsehoods about the career of DG. I hope he keeps his word because it's getting boring correcting him, but I feel I have to if only for the benefit of others who might accept his uninformed comments as fact.

I can see how one might think DG only started playing jazz late in life if you have only his discography and youtube to go by. But ask anyone who played with him and you'll learn otherwise. Or go read a book.

[SonnyREast]

WTF are you dumbasses bickering about? Nothing worse than a bickering snob musician!!!

Anyway i feel for any beginner trying to read those mother of toilet seat inlays!!!

Seriously Arlen and Danny messed up when they chose that guitar for the video!!!Great video though,a must have just like his others...

[DJSoulVOX]

I'm done arguing with you all. One day, derw22, you'll figure out that when you don't really know what you're talking about, you should jump to mudslinging. It's okay to disagree. You started calling me names right out of the gate without waiting for me to support my argument. At that point you were stuck taking a hard line. I'm done with you. Chris6120, I think you're an asshole, but, I think you do have a clue.

[DJSoulVOX]

I said that, Danny Gatton didn't really become a jazz guitarist until later in his career/life. Until then he was a country/rockabilly player who liked jazz and played some jazzy licks. I'll give you that. My point that he changed his focus to mostly jazz toward the end is extremely valid and the only reason you've taken this discussion to this is because you look like a fool and the only way you can win is to change the argument. Good job, but you're still clueless.

[chris6120]

Just like I said....Jazz Nazi.....

DJSoulVOX, I never said Wes didn't know theory. I said he probably didn't know any more than Danny. I have a degree in Jazz performance and I've toured and played Jazz literally all over the world, so don't even try to preach to me ...you loser.

My comment about Wes proves that someone who is mostly an ear player can still be a formidable Jazz player if they also understand how to apply theory. The two concepts arent mutually antithetical you douchebag.

[AgentZeroForTheWin]

lol an old guy said douchebag

[chris6120]

For many people, the ability to recognize someone as a douchebag has little to do with age, but thanks for the comment..........junior...

[derw22]

...that:

"...when he was growing up, he always played Gibson guitars on the neck pickup. He was interested only in western-swing and organ trio jazz; he had no desire to play country music, or any kind of trebly, twangy-type stuff"

"he was mainly a jazz guy."

"..rather than coming from a totally jazz-perspective (like danny)"

-- Pete Kennedy quotes from "The Life and Times of Danny Gatton"

[derw22]

The gist of DJSoulVOX comments is that DG was a great rockabilly/country/(etc) guitarist but not really a jazz guitarist; that he, in fact, "was not a jazz guitarist."; that he merely incorporated stylistic elements from old style jazz guitarists; that he was no more a jazz guitarist than was rock guitarist Carlos Santana. My advice to anyone reading this thread is not to listen to either DJSoulVOX or me. Instead, read what the musicians who played with DG have said about him. You'll learn..

[DJSoulVOX]

chris6120, 1. Wes Montgomery did know the theory behind what he was doing. 2. If you think I'm a jazz purist then you don't know shit about me. My favorite guitarist is George Benson. If you want to engage in intelligent discussion on what jazz is or really anything, then I'm game. If you want to spew insults like derw22 started with me then go fuck yourself. I didn't start the bullshit. But, I'm not gonna stand by while some dumb ass calls me and idiot.

[DJSoulVOX]

This whole argument started with me defending DG when somebody else stated that, "these changes are nothing special". He was right but that by no means takes away from DG's mastery. This dumb fuck, derw22, thought he knew what I was talking about and started talking all of this bullshit. DG is not a "traditional" jazz guitarist and I stand by my statements. So, you can shut the fuck up.

[chris6120]

DJ SoulVOX,

Sorry dude, but youre an idiot and a self important "Jazz Nazi".

Wes Montgomery probably didn't know any more than Danny Gatton did about how to apply theory to the fingerboard or how to play with other musicians. He also couldn't read music and developed his style almost entirely by ear. Using your logic, does that mean he WASN'T a jazz guitarist?

Stop pulling hairs with your purist view of

"What is Jazz?"

[derw22]

chris6120, Amen to that. DJSoulVOX pronounces, oddly enough, that this video is jazz. That's cool, but you know, a jazzer would say they're playing a blues because of the underlying 12 bar blues progression, and a blues man would say that's jazz because of the feel, and they're both right, but I can see DJSoulVOX telling them they're both wrong. He obviously knows enough about music to be an incredible bore.

[Jayarbal]

by the way: these discussions occur in every musical szene: heavy metal, electronical stuff, jazz, everywhere! and it's always the same, it's repeated over and over again, an there will never be a clear solution or answer to it. make your mind, if you really need to kategorize it, but keep in mind that art (and that's what music is) is in the eye of it's beholder, and nowhere else. your definition might not be true for somebody else, and THAT'S OK! music is just vibe, and vibe is life.

[derw22]

Jayarbal: My issue with DJSoulVOX is over a factual disagreement: his insistence that Danny Gatton only got into jazz in late in life before his suicide, which is demonstrably false. Secondly, when he says that the DG and Emmons jazz gigs of the late seventies were only "kind of jazz", he only makes himself look like an idiot. Before he saw his first "hot licks video", I'd seen DG probably 40 times over a 20 year period. I lived right around the corner from the Grog and Tankard - google it

[Jayarbal]

dear people, can't you just listen to the music and like it or not, feel the vibes or not? i am sick of all those discussions about what one should call it. music comes from the bottom of your heart, and there was no definition to it in the moment it was created. so just let it be the music it is!

[DJSoulVOX]

My entire argument has been his approach to playing the instrument. He says in his hot licks video that he's mostly an ear player. THAT MEANS HE'S NOT A JAZZ GUITARIST!!! Toward the end of his life he changed his basic approach to more of a traditional jazz method. That's why his blues changes are fairly basic. He's not known for playing jazz. He's simply the greatest rockabilly player ever. He started playing TRADITIONAL jazz more toward the end of his life.

[derw22]

Your dweeb credentials are beyond reproach -- I'll give you that.. Are you seriously saying that if you play by ear -- a musical gift, really -- you can't play jazz? Until the sixties, jazz was mostly an aural tradition with most players using only their ears to guide them. Sure, they new the chord progressions but they didn't go to Berkley and learn learn jazz theory. The irony here is even DG wouldn't know what you're talking about. He use to say: "I play everything and I don't know anything"

[derw22]

DJSoulVOX: if you ever get a chance to see Buddy Emmons, why don't you try telling him that his late seventies jazz gigs with Danny Gatton were only "kinda jazz". He'll either laugh in your face or knock you on your ass.

[DJSoulVOX]

You really have no idea what I'm talking about. I'm telling you why it isn't jazz. It IS some kind of fusion. They used the improvisational nature of jazz as the concept, but, it's not jazz. What DG is playing in this video IS jazz. Can you not tell the difference? I feel like I'm talking to a damn three year old! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT JAZZ IS!!!! Buddy Emmons would agree with me. One COULD call it "fusion", but that's not what I'm talking about.

[derw22]

From a 1979 Buddy Emmons interview:

"...Apart from sessions, I've been working with a JAZZ group out of Washington D.C. called the "Redneck Jazz Explosion." The leader of the group is a very fine guitar player by the name of Danny Gatton. The drummer is Scott Taylor and the bass man is Steve Wolf. We work at a place in D.C. called the "Cellar Door." Playing with this group has restored my faith in the existence of enough people to make a jazz-appreciating audience."

[derw22]

Danny Gatton did not "just start venturing into jazz before his suicide".

He was was a jazz monster from the beginning. Listen to his first solo album "Redneck Jazz", released almost 3 decades before his suicide. Ask anyone who saw him play around DC in the 70s. I've got tapes of him playing nothing but jazz in the early eighties with Pete Kennedy.

[DJSoulVOX]

I have the redneck jazz album. It's not jazz. I DO know what I'm talking about. There are tons of complex substitutions for a 12 bar blues and he's not using anything but a few tritone subs and some standard additions. I'm a huge Danny Gatton fan but you clearly don't know what you're talking about. Never in his life was he considered a jazz monster by people in the know. He's one of my favorite guitarists but your perspective is skewed.

[derw22]

1) Rock Candy off the album features jazz solos -- not country, not rock -- jazz

2) DG could care less whether something was simple or complex. He only cared whether it sounded cool. It could be insanely complex or ridiculously simple as long it sounded cool. Only a dweebs like you mention "tritones"

3) "jazz-monster" is subjective, and an opinion -- no point in arguing over that. Next...

4) Your claim that he "just start venturing into jazz before his suicide" is patently and demonstrably false

[DJSoulVOX]

Okay, you obviously know nothing about jazz and you're arguing with me as if I wasn't a huge Danny Gatton fan. He did use stylistic elements from old style jazz guitarists. It's like when people call Carlos Santana a jazz guitarist because he plays some Coltrane songs. He was not a jazz guitarist. He was a great guitarist who liked jazz. Relentless is the only real jazz album and most jazz musicians would say that it's good but it's only kinda jazz. You're an idiot.

[derw22]

Thats a false analogy, but I'll deal with that later.

Notice how you will not address your statement that he "just started venturing into jazz before his suicide", which you obviously pulled out of your ass because it is 100% demonstrably false and proves with metaphysical certitude that you don't know what you are talking about or just enjoy pulling things out of your ass and perhaps into as well.

[ClassicalRay]

I've got to get my hands on this video. Danny was a fantastic rhythm player, one of THE best.

[FlorianDhoudain]

Think he was Joe Bonamassa's teacher !

[echo680]

@ClassicalRay in case you didn't get it yet, just google guitar tuition and gatton, it is still available.

[jbrent1953]

You might freak dude but there is nothing modern about the chords being used in this exercise. It's basic harmony, okay a little beyond basic but it's not remarkably different than the type of harmony you'd find Robert Johnson going for. It's how it's played that makes it feel more jazzy than bluesy. In fact if you want to see or hear the perfect hybrid listen to Lonnie Johnson.

[DJSoulVOX]

Yeah, these changes are really nothing spectacular. But, this is not what Danny Gatton is known for. He's known for being the master of rockabilly guitar. He started getting bored with simple country harmony and he started venturing into jazz before committing suicide. Imagine where he could've been if he were still alive.

[derw22]

You don't know what you are talking about

1. "the changes are nothing spectacular" - duh, it's a 12- bar blues. The whole point is demonstrating what you can do with SUBSTITUTIONS to make things interesting

[ztubs6]

no offense- I am sure some of you will freak when I say this but I hate modern jazz/modern blues etc. chords- it is such an arrogant sound- fine- you can play strange chord stacks- who cares-obviously gatton is a monster- but the point is- i have gone through so many modern blues/jazz books where they harmonize this strange mode and that strange mode and make weird 4th chords over everything but it just ddoesnt sound good to me

[TheEarlOfDublin]

open your ears then

[ztubs6]

oh- well arent you so much better than everyone else- not

[TheEarlOfDublin]

stop being a baby. listen more, listen to more adventurous kinds of music and you will see how kewl those sounds can eb

[ztubs6]

hey- you are a prick- why dont you stop going around assuming you know anything about everyone- I listen to tons of jazz and I have practiced and "adventurous" sounds and exactly what they are playing. I am more familiar with this sound- here is the thing you obviously cant accept- I just dont like it. the end. plain and simple. what are you the jazz harmony police..forcing people to like big jazz chords? I know my stuff. I have a degree in it. thanks though

[TheEarlOfDublin]

no you dont

[aussieninja10]

have u tried working on things like substitution? while im not the worlds greatest jazz head, i use a lot of jazz stuff to really spice up a lot of pop tunes, instead of playing everything straight all the time. U can get some really beautiful sounds out of those big stacked chords when used in the right spots.

[GulfCoasta09]

sweet kerry king on bass, this mustve been when he first got out of highschool

[stipecountry]

There's definitely not many guitarist who can even compare to how great Danny Gatton was...honestly, the only guitarist I can think of that's anything like Danny Gatton is modern country guitarist Brad Paisley. Of course, Gatton always sounded like one person--himself. As for Paisley, he only sounds like Paisley.  I wonder how great it would've been if Gatton and Paisley could've done some stuff together...two great Tele players!

[joeylodes]

GREAT chordal work! listen up kids!! THAT is guitar playing!

[Gomagomes]

yes man,i coudn't agree more =D

also, awesome guitar!the guy who did this guitar was truly inspired!

[Modes9]

He definitely comps as well as guys who play vibes. Hell, he's better than some jazz piano players I've heard, and they use ten fingers!

[Waltos]

Tasteful, innovative player.

[delirio1987]

he is the greatest guitar player of all times

[startripping]

parosite,

I'm not gonna spare you. But I'm not gonna rip you either.

I'm just gonna tell you to love the pitcher less and the water more. Get it?

Hair,clothing,guitar: they all mean nothing. It's what he's doing that matters.

[ROCKSTARCRANE]

This is the shit....forget all those fast-ass licks. This kind of chording and voicing shows what a true genius this man was.....

[parosite]

its hard for me to listen to this for some reason ............he seems so cheezy and that tele is the tackyist thing iv ever seen .I know the dude can play so spare me .

[dingoswamphead]

So good to see you play, after having listened to you open-mouthed for so may years. What feel for music, and incredible finger efficiency. Hope you have Bardens on your angelic Strat, Danny.

[hetjaar]

i never saw danny play a strat

[Nickovitch2370]

Apparently when he recorded with Chris Issak (I forget which album), he played a customized strat.

[goodmoviesdude]

Strat? no, he was the Telemaster.

[spacejase]

He was no Stratomaster.

[richardoini]

he was definatly a tele player. used 53's most of the time if i am not mistaken.

[rifleman522]

I'm sure there are many "Stratomasters" that WISH they could play as well as Danny.

[gattonmaster]

bingo

[keeman21037]

I am not a guitar fan but this man could play such huanting chords he was deff/ my all time favorite

[cwknig2]

Did Gatton have Bardens in all his guitars?

[marcstrommer]

I believe so. The Fender Gatton model had them too.

[gattonmaster]

Gatton fans I changed my name from mastercollector to Gattonmaster; ready......begin.

[wcpeart]

DOC from Discounts On Customized Services; also lovingly referred to as Dad's Old Crap Shed by my children, and a decent place for a little woodshedding... I accidentally omitted a big thumbs up for this tune!

[haraldtheman]

the worlds greatest?

[goldyguitar]

Id say hes up there, but Id say Danny's teacher Lenny Breau is the best. Theres a reason Chet Atkins called Lenny "the greatest guitar player to walk this earth".  If you take a listen to Lenny you see where Danny got a lot of his tricks from.

[MasterCollecter]

goldyguitar Danny I read said Breau showed him more use of his little pinky, and to space his fingers for chording. I heard a few Gatton interviews and read he thought Lenny was the best and Gatton is modest. Versatility their close but Yeah Lenny probably knows the styles more finess than anybody.( and difficult harmonies)But for chops, and technical ferocity Gatton is clearly other worldly. Wonder what Lenny thought of Danny? Probably have to ask Buddy Emmons. mastercollector

[goldyguitar]

Danny does have some serious chops, but chops are nothing without a melodic mind to put them to use, otherwise its what I like to call a whole lot of musical masturbation. Im not saying Danny is guilty of this crime, but he doesnt come close to the melodic capabilities of Lenny. Lenny described himself as an impressionist, playing what he was feeling. And no matter how many guitarists say they can do this, no one can do it to the degree Lenny did. He could play two versions of the same

[goldyguitar]

jazz standard and leave you with two distinct feelings after listening to it. And as to what Lenny thought of Danny, I couldnt tell you, but Lenny was a man who paid his respect to whom it was due, and I bet you he had a lot of respect for Danny.

[MasterCollecter]

goldyguitar have you heard the 4-25-79 Cellar Door show with Danny Gatton and Lenny Breau? How many audio live shows have you heard of Danny and how many video/dvd of Danny have you seen? Next question; how many audio and video have you seen and heard  of Lenny Breau, and Scotty Anderson???

[MasterCollecter]

goldyguitar Of course; I know Chet and Lenny were in the audiance in 1975 in Nashville watching Mr. Danny Gatton! Here is my point of view; Lenny was the supreme artist knowing finess and style 24/7 but Danny, a boy wonder himself shocked you more with natural ablity right off the cuff; do you understand??? mastercollector

ps if you don't thats why I said you people out there have to search and discover and see and hear dozens of Gatton audio and video.mastercollector

[MasterCollecter]

goldyguitar Danny was not all about chops; he could also play intricate and melodic withalot of soul. His tons of notes tell stories and journeys. Agree Lenny had more going on at one time than anyone. But I don't know its just opinion. When Danny is playing at his best you can't take your eyes off him; amazing.

[MasterCollecter]

goldyguitar I agree ;like Danny said Lenny had more going on at one time than anyone but Danny had soul, tone,melodic; and not just awesome chops, plus he played tons of notes that told stories. If you give a player a little time nobdy including Breau could match Gatton with notes. He could mold alot of notes into better results than anybody EVER on the instrument PERIOD!!

mastercollector

[MasterCollecter]

goldyguitar is to bad they don't have footage of complete shows of Lenny Breau. If they have clips of Django from the 30's why don't they have Lenny Breau footage.

mastercollector

[MasterCollecter]

goldyguitar I give Lenny alot of praise, he is my favorite along with Danny,and Scotty. Playing Jazz, Rockabilly, country, ec. with finess and so much going on . That with very difficult harmonies and chord passages. He figured out things nobody else did!! mastercollector

[MasterCollecter]

I'm telling myself to shut up and enjoy all players!!! mastercollector

[MasterCollecter]

goldyguitar I agree; Lenny Breau is incredible. I know there is nobody like Lenny, and Scotty Anderson. Wes Montgomery, Johny Smith, Jimmy Bryant, Djnago Rienhardt, Hank Garland. ALl these people knock me out and I've spent alot of time on alll these players!!!!! it's just I like Gatton the best of all . There is something about him. At times you get intransed and awe inspired.

mastercollector

[wcpeart]

A little haunting though oh so sweet... says DOC

[Kaelan66]

doc?