Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
If Danny Gatton Did it..Does that make it Okay??
- Thread starter unbasslichkeit
- Start date
- Status
"Gatton was ranked 63rd on Rolling Stone magazine's 100 Greatest Guitarists of all Time in 2003"
ya, that's pretty low-level
"Gatton was ranked 63rd on Rolling Stone magazine's 100 Greatest Guitarists of all Time in 2003"
ya, that's pretty low-level
Quick! Who were the other 62 in front of him!!??
Being the 63rd greatest guitar player according to *oof* Rolling Stone is kinda like, well... that and a buck-fitty will get you a cup of coffee.
The only people who know who Danny Gatton was are, for the most part, dad blues guitar player types. Sorry, but that doesn't get you on the A-list. Or B-list. Or C-list.
Interesting how custom and customized instruments are either very valuable or not worth the wood they're made of. Similarly, instruments that have been "owned" by somebody. This bass has been used by someone of some status (though not much) to create music that a small majority of people liked. However, it looks like crap and I couldn't say how it sounds, but I would wager it feels about like that. Obviously, it has sentimental value to Gatton's family or they're trying to cash out on some of his status, or both.
Personally, I wouldn't buy it for $500. Maybe $50. But that's me. And I know who Danny Gatton is, his connection to Joe Barden and rather like his music.
Personally, I wouldn't buy it for $500. Maybe $50. But that's me. And I know who Danny Gatton is, his connection to Joe Barden and rather like his music.
Of course it's fine. I'm sure Gatton was a player much more than a collector. To someone like him keeping an old bass unmodified to retain it's value likely didn't mean much. His instruments were tools. If he wanted to add wheels and use it as a skateboard then that's fine too. Or put a sticker on it. 
I have. I found it to be boring and somewhat self indulgent. Very hard to sit through. I'm told by those who like Gatton that you had to see him live to appreciate him. Which is something I've heard about a lot of players like that.
But a lot of first rate guitar players who do impress me didn't need to be seen live to be appreciated. Merle Travis and Joe Maphis, to name a couple off the top of my head. So I have a hard time cutting Gatton any slack for what I've heard on record.
Hey, if you like Gatton, more power to ya. Sure, the guy can play. But he's not a "celebrity" in the proper sense of the word.
Oooookay. The guy was amazing. He was nominated for a grammy, he's shared the stage with guys like Clapton
and Roy Buchanan, and he gets name dropped by dudes like Les Paul as one of the greatest guitar players of all time. 63rd best guitar player in Rolling Stone and you're not impressed? There have been MILLIONS upon MILLIONS of guitar players since the electric guitar's invention and he made number 63. His mix of banjo style "chicken pickin'" guitar playing a la Scotty Moore mixed with jazz and rockabilly was unlike anybody else. This guy was an innovator.
As to his celebrity status, I'd ask you to do a quick experiment- you're a bassplayer; go out on the street and ask the first ten people you meet who Jaco Pastorius is and I'll bet you're 0 for 10. Ask the next 20 who Victor Wooten is; probably 0 for 20; etc., etc. Just becasue the public doesn't know them, that doesn't mean that musicians don't know who they are, or that they aren't influential. By your logic, the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus are currently the most relevant, influential music in the world . If that were true, I'd consider never playing again. The reality, however, is that pop music fades, while Gatton's contributions are timeless.
Winning a Grammy doesn't mean a lot. Actually it doesn't mean anything.
What were Danny Gatton's contributions? Specifically. I mean, if it's just being a good player, then that's not really much of a contribution.
You pretty much beat me to it.
Gatton is to guitar players what Jaco is to bass players.
Neither are household names, but regarding the "Dad Blues" comment made by SMCD... I've had discussions with people at Punk shows on a couple of occations with some people that were very into Gatton, so I'd say your assesment is a bit off.
Much like Wooten, Jaco, Lee Sklar, Tony Leven (picking bass players so maybe you can relate) .... Gatton falls into a catagory of being a "Players Player". Not a household name, but certainly influential and important if not full blown "Celebrities".
Redneck Jazz explosion with Buddy Emmons (another palyers player) is amazing.
Have you all heard Danny Gatton with Joey Defranceso on the B3...Relentless is the name of the album....
amazing stuff.....
amazing stuff.....
A grammy doesn't mean anything except recognition from "the industry". Go ahead and play the Mili Vanilli card now.
He elevated the Tele shred thing to a level that before him hadn't been done.
He also was increadibly tasteful when he wanted to be, as well as being an outstanding preformer.
He's considered by many Tele guys to be among the best of the best.
You'd be hard pressed to find many guitar players who can convincinly pull off the fretboard gymnastics Gatton was capable of.
Nope, maybe not your cup of tea, but hey, I'm not really a fan of Jaco. Different strokes, but I'm sure as hell not going to knock the guys chops or his contributions to music.
You know, I think the "respect" standard is somehow being violated here. It should include "respect for the dead." Since when does popular appeal mean a rat's arse to how important or valuable an artist was to the entertainment and music world? Danny Gatton is probably not well-known because his life and recording career took a lot of unfortunate twists and turns. Some speculate it may have contributed to his depression. He's like the Steve Prefontaine of the music industry; destined for great things but cut off too soon.
And these observations are being made on a bass guitar forum. That should tell you something.
Again, a little respect is definitely in order.
- Status
