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![]() Vance Gilbert from the album Good, Good Man available as a self-release (by Brian Rock) Vance Gilbert continues making good, good music on his 14th album, Good, Good Man. Playing his distinctive Folkin’ Blues sound that’s equal parts James Taylor and James Cotton, Gilbert blends his Folk/Blues fusion with polished R&B sensibilities. “Pie & Whiskey” perfectly encapsulates his genre-bending style as with acoustic guitar and a warm, comforting tenor voice, Vance Gilbert sings ‘you can live on pie and whiskey, but you surely won’t live too long. One is as sweet as your very first kiss, the other gonna go down strong’. After a musical bridge awash with violin, organ, and jazz infused guitar, Gilbert goes on to note that ‘you can cry like no tomorrow, but yesterday done come and gone’. He cautions not to over-indulge in pleasure or self-pity because ‘neither one will sustain you’. The secret it seems, is to find balance; to experience life’s ups and downs, but not to dwell in them. “Another Great Day Above Ground,” showcases his lyrical wit as well as his acoustic Blues guitar chops. Considering the options, Vance Gilbert sings ‘when I wake up in the morning, if I don’t feel too good, I put my elbows out to each side. If I don’t feel no wood, then it’s another good day above ground’. The easy rolling guitar licks capture and echo the simple joie de vie of the lyrics. Next time you have a bad day, give this song a listen to put things in perspective. Being the eternal optimist, Gilbert goes on to consider the positive consequences of “When I Cross Over.” Looking forward to meeting with departed loved ones, Vance contemplates the joy that awaits us after the joys of this life come to an end. Adding a smooth, Luther Vandross-veneer to the Good, Good Man title track, Vance Gilbert gets funky with urban Blues on “Trust”. “Zombie Pattycake” explores the pitfalls and perils of being undead to the accompaniment of Dixieland rhythms while “Brunswick County” and “Cousin Shelly’s Station Wagon” are pastoral, snapshots of a simpler life and time. Blending Folk, Blues, R&B, and Singer/Songwriter genres, Vance Gilbert makes some good, good music. (by Brian Rock) Listen and buy the music of Vance Gilbert from AMAZON Visit the Vance Gilbert website for more information
1 Comment
Perry Stein
2/10/2020 03:29:49 pm
I own this CD and highly recommend it. It represents some of Vance Gilbert's best work to date. He has pulled together an impressive group of players to bring his music to the next level.
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