Cordova Bay Records artist: David Gogo - Vicksburg Call - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Vicksburg Call, by David Gogo and he's blending more rock into his strong blues feel. Opening with Cuts Me to The Bone, Gogo is hammering right out of the gate. With Jay Stevens on bass and Bill Hicks on drums this track does rock. Gogo isn't fooling around with his slashing slide guitar soloing and grinding rhythm. Boogie guitar master, Kim Simmonds joins Gogo on Fooling Myself with his unmistakable guitar soloing style. This is a really cool track with some remarkable riffs. Another Canadian, Neil Young's The Loner has always been a favorite and Gogo does a really nice cover. This track has a moderately different arrangement from the original and a definitely non Young style guitar solo. Harmony vocals with Stevens add warmth and with the track slightly uptempo sounds quite fresh. There's A Hole is a quiet, bluesy ballad with Gogo on resonator and guitar and Shawn Hall on harp. Stephen Stills' Jet Set (Sigh) has a deeper groove that earlier set by Stills and I like the change. Bassist Stevens sets a great heavy line and Gogo literally rips the fretboard to pieces with expressive riffs. Excellent! What's Not To Like? has a pop edge with a steady rock beat and Rick Hopkins adding full Hammond backing. Gogo again gets out the slide and plays as smooth as silk accompanying his radio styled vocals. Our Last Goodbye is a nicely crafted ballad starting off very quietly but building slowly adding drums and guitar lead. This track is very anthem like and with solid backing vocals by Shelley Beeston and Jona Kristinsson and fluid guitar runs, could easily be found as the closing song for a movie. Very nice! Title track, Vicksburg Call, is a simple blues rocker that breaks loose with some very tasty grinding guitar riffs. Rock and roller, Coulda Shoulda Woulda has a taste of Chuck Berry with almost John Lennon like vocals. Nice bass riffs by Stevens really drive this track and Gogo reminds us once again that he's not just a blues player with flashy rockin' riffs. Wrapping the release is a solemn ballad, Why, along the lines of White Shades of Pale. Really nice Hammond work by Hopkins sets the basic tone and Marisha Devoin adds subtle bass defined by a steady drum slap by Hicks. Isolated guitar lead by Gogo at the end of the track caps the soulful conclusion.

   

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