04/25/08
BOB GIBSON LEGACY
GIBSON & CAMP/Homemade Music: Did you know that Gibson and Camp didn’t know each other until Gibson came home one day and found Camp sitting in his living room? Albert Grossman wanted his own power folk trio and saw Gibson, Camp and Jo Mapes being his version of Kingston Trio. He was savvy enough to see the magic between Gibson and Camp before they even played together and that’s why their 1961 duo set is still such a landmark today. When Grossman couldn’t make these three tow the mark, he threw up his hands and invented Peter, Paul and Mary instead. They might have been unruly, but the magic in the music couldn’t de denied. 17 years later, Gibson & Camp reformed the group that never really was, made a genre busting set in an old folkie’s basement and gave it a valiant go in the face of disco. This set wasn’t folk, singer/songwriter or anything that could fit under any easy label other than good. Originally released on an out of the way folk label in the face of disco and an immanent industry collapse, it fueled a PBS special that needs to be dug out of moth balls as well. A hold over from an era that gave us other duos that should have been like Martin & Neil, this is set that any folk fan needs to complete their collection of the era and to enjoy in real time. A delightful, one of a kind set that’s great to have back in print.
1003
CREATIVE SERVICE COMPANY
AHN TRIO/Lullaby for my Favorite Insomniac: It took Gwen Stefani to make the rest of the world know what the classical world knew already, hot Asian chicks are cool. So, if you image Eroica Trio as hot Asian chick sisters…. These musical sisters are no new comers to the contemporary classical scene but this marks their first for Red Seal and it’s a delightful genre buster of a date that blurs lines so fast that you stop being aware there are any lies in the first place. First class classical crossover that charms, delights and really opens your ears wide to the new energy and possibilities. Certainly one of the genres top releases for the months ahead.
27208 (RCA Red Seal)
MARK PUCCI MEDIA
DUKE ROBILLARD/Swingin’ Session With: The Grand Duke calls in the big band to blow the roof off the sucker with another of his grand guitar driven dates. Calling in a bunch of cats that know how to follow where he leads, Robillard is on the mark as always with a solid jazz/blues date that hits hard, hits often and is a hit by golly. Unbridled adult listening that works throughout.
1331
AMOS GARRETT/Get Way Back: Did you know the reason you liked “Snowbird” was those young Garrett licks running in the background? The truth can now be told. On this latest visit from Garrett, he pays tribute to Percy Mayfield and does it without covering “Somebody to Love” or “Hit the Road, Jack”, and if that ain’t love, what is? The most well known song is “Lost Mind” but it makes no matter. Mayfield is one of America’s greats and this interpretation that comes from way down deep can bring him front and center for a whole new generation. The picking, the voice and the vibe all make this add up to one killer session well worthy of recognition and glories. If you don’t know Garrett or Mayfield yet, make it your business to do so or else start playing video games and don’t come back.
1330
Volume 31/Number 177
April 25, 2008
MIDWEST RECORD
830 W. Route 22 #144
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
©2008 Midwest Record