The Canadian guitarist's fifth album for the Cordova Bay label, and seventh overall, shows David Gogo at the peak of his soul, blues-rock powers. Certainly the only musician in his genre to cover Depeche Mode (a gutsy "Personal Jesus"), Otis Rush (his version of Bloomfield/Butterfield's "Reap What You Sow" nearly cuts the original), Stevie Wonder (a roughed up, bluesy and slowed down "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" is nearly unrecognizable from the original) and Curtis Mayfield (a muscular "Fool for You" does justice to this terrific tune) on the same album, he's a not only a terrific interpreter of other's music but digs deep to unearth interesting material. His version of the obscure Willie Dixon tune "It Don't Make Sense (That You Can't Make Peace)" is an eight minute whirlwind that showcases Gogo's stinging, surging guitar and sure sense of drama helped by harmony vocals from Melisa Devost. Gogo is also an impressive songwriter on his own, as the six originals here prove. The title track is a successful stab at greasy Sam & Dave mid-tempo soul and the jagged riff on "Belgian Moon" is one most other roots-rockers would kill for. His vocals are confident and convincing but it's his production with Rick Salt that is most notable. The sound on this album is spacious yet direct, showcasing Gogo's guitar leads while keeping them from overwhelming the songs. Why this guy isn't better known outside of his home turf is the real mystery. Maybe it's because of the sketchy US distribution of his label. But anyone who enjoys tough roots rocking with a side of tangy R&B is highly encouraged to search this out. © Hal Horowitz © 2013 Rovi Corp | All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/album/skeleton-key-mw0001443014
With Skeleton Key, David Gogo displays his creative talents, while exploring new ground and building on his previous success. His ability to blend blues, soul and rock in an electric performance brings an innovative texture to his music. Gogo handpicked a selection of fresh original works that show musical maturity and a deep understanding of the blues/rock genre. His treatment of unexpected gems by such diverse artists as Depeche Mode and Stevie Wonder illustrates his knack for turning chart-topping hits into contemporary blues/rock anthems. – from Editorial Review © 1996-2013, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates http://www.amazon.com/Skeleton-Key-David-Gogo/dp/B000069HTR
Voted “Musician of the year” during the 99 West Coast Music Awards, David Gogo is still touring all around the world and opening for famous artists such as Buddy Guy. “Skeleton Key” is a great album of blues rock, soul, and R&B with great grooves and some strong guitar playing from David. Only five of the tracks are Gogo originals. The remaining tracks include covers of songs by Stevie Wonder, Willie Dixon, Butterfield/Bloomfield/Gravenites, Otis Spann, and Albert Collins, and you can also hear the musical influences of artists like Curtis Mayfield and Captain Beefheart. This is great stuff and HR by A.O.O.F.C. Buy David’s great “Change of Pace” album and support real music [All tracks @ 320 Kbps: File size = 102 Mb]
TRACKS / COMPOSERS
1 (Just Ask) Jesse James - David Gogo 3:48
2 Stay Away From My Home - David Gogo 4:15
3 I Can Still Hear You Crying - David Gogo 4:12
4 Things Are About To Change - David Gogo 3:06
5 It Don't Make Sense (That You Can’t Make Peace) - Willie Dixon 7:57
6 Reap What You Sow - Paul Butterfield, Mike Bloomfield, Nick Gravenites 5:38
7 Walkin' - Otis Spann 2:49
8 Skeleton Key - David Gogo 3:54
9 Backstroke - Albert Collins 2:45
10 Later To That - 0:09
11 Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Lee Garrett, Lula Mae Hardaway, Stevie Wonder, Syreeta Wright 2:54
12 Personal Jesus - Martin L. Gore 4:26
MUSICIANS
David Gogo - Guitar, Lead Vocals
Todd Sacerty - Bass
Billy Hicks - Drums, Percussion
Brendan Hedley - Piano, Organ
Kyle Burrow - Rhodes Piano
Rick Hopkins - Organ
Pierre Komen - Saxophone, Vocals
Tina Jones - Trumpet, Percussion
Gerry Barnum - Harmonica & “Groaning”
Earle Gibson - Trombone, Vocals
Melisa Devost - Harmony Vocal
SHORT BIO
Blues guitarist David Gogo was born in Nanaimo, British Columbia, and received his first guitar at the age of five (having been given a ukulele the year before). He honed his skills for the next decade and, by the age of 16, he was gaining work as a professional musician. Inspired by a meeting with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gogo became even more committed, forming a the Persuaders, which went from a post-high school band to one that was soon opening for acts like Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy, and Albert Collins. Following a stint in Europe which found the Persuaders opening for the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Gogo signed a solo deal with EMI Records. While writing material for his debut, Gogo managed to find time to appear on Tom Cochrane's highly successful Mad Mad World album. When David Gogo arrived in 1994, it was a critical success and Gogo earned a Juno nomination. However, due to shifting label personnel, the record was not given a U.S. release and Gogo was being pressured to pursue a more commercial route. Choosing to strike out on his own, Gogo released Dine Under the Stars, which had been recorded live in his hometown, on his own. A distribution deal in France led to a record deal with Canadian independent label Cordova Bay and the subsequent release of Change of Pace, a more rock-oriented affair, and the acoustic Bare Bones, which was a return to his blues roots. In 2002, Gogo issued his fifth album, Skeleton Key, which combined both electric and acoustic arrangements as well as a mixture of original material and covers of songs by artists like Stevie Wonder and Depeche Mode. © Tom Demalon © 2013 Rovi Corp | All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/artist/david-gogo-mn0000215722
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