Reviews
Gogo Gets Them Going At The Yale
Because he is such a talented guitarist, Gogo does not get enough recognition for his vocals. Songs like “Skeleton Key” (CD of the same name-2002, 2006--US release), “Something Ain’t Right” (Vibe--2004), and “Hey Juanita” (Vibe) highlight a smooth voice that is often belied by the many growling ballads that he performs. “Hey Juanita,” from the 2004 album Vibe, has a pretty melody and possesses great hooks.
His cover of Eddie Hinton’s R&B tinged “(I Gotta) Testify” got the audience back out onto the dance floor (not that they had left for long).
Like most blues artists Gogo plays a lot of ballads, unlike most blues artists he has the ability to play them a fast pace, slow them down or somewhere in between, and do it well. He also demonstrates the vocal versatility, to match his guitar wizardry, with equally competent vocals.
Julian St Martin was outstanding on the organ and electric keyboard resulting in several instances of spontaneous applause from the audience, as he finished keyboard solos. Drummer Gordon Grant Baird and bass guitarist Jay Stephens completed the musicians backing up Gogo.
If you don’t like Don Rickles’ humor then you probably are not going to enjoy David Gogo’s particular brand of humor, so be forewarned his concerts are not for the faint of heart. He is however, a blues artist who creates memorable grooves and leaves everything he has on stage.
Photo by Joe Montague ©
Reviewed August 3, 2007