His record company challenged B.C. bluesman David Gogo to come up with a collection of original songs, and 10 writers seem to have responded.
The variety on this big-sounding record is impressive: The single Love In The City, a co-write and duet with Tom Wilson, is already Top 40 on rock radio in Canada, an almost unheard of situation for an indie release by a "blues" artist. The aptly named 300 Pound Shoes is a great slab of heavyosity, as is Cry Harder. She's Alright, featuring ace guitarist Jeff Healey, and &Stone run more to the soul-blues end of things.
The mystery song of the record may be the bopping Hey Juanita, one of those ridiculously catchy deals that has feel-good hit of summer written all over it. The "serious" blues
David Gogo opens for Little Feat at the Capital Music Hall Nov. 9.
Norm Provencher
© 2004 Ottawa Citizen