John Gibbons makes impressive CD debut
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John Gibbons will present a CD release concert for his "Small Town Dance" on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m., at Champlain College's Alumni Auditorium in Burlington. The performance will feature: Colin McCaffrey, Karen McFeeters, Craig Anderson, André Maquera, Andy Greene, Carol Hausner, Neal Brown, Alan Gratton and Justin Olds. Admission is $8 at the door; for information, go online to www.JohnGibbonsMusic.com. |
Toolbox
By ART EDELSTEIN Arts Correspondent - Published: November 20, 2009
John Gibbons, a previously unknown artist to this writer, has re- leased his first CD, "Small Town Dance," and it highlights a musician with lots of promise.
For starters, Gibbons has gathered an excellent group of backup musicians and singers to add to the high quality of songs. He's chosen a producer, Colin McCaffrey, whose work has graced many albums recently. All this gives this recording a very professional sound.
The music on this CD leans toward bluegrass, with several country and folk songs as well. The opening cut, "Silence or Tears," shows Gibbons' bluegrass tenor chops. He's a fine singer and would have no problem fronting a bluegrass band. His lead guitar playing reminded me of the work of John Starling with Seldom Scene. For the banjo work we have Andy Greene, formerly a member of the Bluegrass Gospel Project.
Producer and multi-instrumentalist Colin McCaffrey contributes fiddle, mandolin, bass and harmony on this track and many others.
Gibbons, who comes from the Champlain Valley area, has 30 years of performing experience under his belt and it shows. He's poised and has chosen a range of material that suits his voice and instrumental abilities. He's also a fine songwriter. This is evident on his seven contributions to this CD, "This Cowboy I Know," "220," "The Wall That Moves," "Oh Well, AOL," "Pick Your Place Anne Marie," "Hard Water" and "Another Shot of Rye Whiskey."
Gibbons writes songs about Vermont as shown in "220," about trains in this state, and in the waltz, "Pick Your Place Anne Marie." He's also got a sense of humor as shown in the catchy "Oh Well, AOL."
Since 2000 Gibbons has been performing in a trio with Karen McFeeters and Craig Anderson. McFeeters is a fine singer and her work was profiled here earlier this year. Anderson is a singer-songwriter and guitar builder. They contribute songs, backup singing, and guitar work to this album.
Carol Hausner also sings backup. She, along with McCaffrey, won a bluegrass songwriting contest earlier this summer. Her voice is a perfect harmony match on the bluegrass songs.
McCaffrey again shines as a full band of backup instrumentation as he shows on the fine Richard Shindell penned "The Kenworth of My Dreams," where he plays all the instruments. He also knows when to keep the track simple and understated.
Gibbons, who seems to have waited much too long to start his recording career, has released a very listenable album. If he can put a band together he'll have a musical vehicle to show off his talent.
Gibbons is releasing his CD Saturday evening at the Champlain College Alumni Auditorium.
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