MzRizz's Full Review: Off the Floor-Live! by Amos Garrett
“Famous Amos” is synonymous with tasty popular Famous Amos Cookies, but Guitar Player Magazine calls this Amos “one of the most lyrical and original guitarists today and his single note solos and melodic figures are so distinctive that it is virtually impossible to mistake them for anyone else’s.”
“Amos Garrett plays better one-handed and on an off-night than most guitar players put together,” it has also been said. ….Hmmm…I think… I get the picture!
Yet, it is fair to say he is “not famous.” But, as an extraordinary studio musician, he is known by a circle of seasoned artists. He performed with Stevie Wonder, Chet Akins, Maria Muldaur, Bonnie Raitt, Todd Rundgren, and Emmylou Harris. In the early 70’s he was a guitarist for the Paul Butterfield Band.”
His exceptional expertise is available on a double instructional videotape where he teaches “the chops” of great rock and soul rhythm players, and the famous Steve Cropper style, andMemphis sound.
If you’re appetite is the blues, jazz and rock combo, introduce yourself to the man, because you will hanker for more. He brings a range of instrumental and musical style. Recorded live at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, “Off The Floor Live” 1996, is a compilation of dynamic upbeat, and slower bluesy songs performed before an intimate enthusiastic audience.
The selections vary greatly, from Eddie Nobles Bad Bad Whiskey to Johnny Otis’ Willie and the Hand Jive to Johnny Heartsman’s Goose Grease.... it will give vision to the blind, and make a mean dog cry.
It may be safe to say he isn’t a songwriter, as all but one song is Garrett’s own. It is filled with OPS, an acronym I refer to “other people’s songs.” Regardless, the creative selection is fun, upbeat, great blues for a change
The mesmerizing "Sleepwalk"
Who doesn’t appreciate the oldie classic Santo and Johnny’s Sleepwalk; the magic of that slide guitar that propelled the sensuous instrumental into rock & roll history. Well.. Garrett delivers it with a bluesy jazzy style. Here, without any distraction, we can almost feel and visualize him perfecting his craft.
John Lee Hooker
What really tops this masterpiece is Garrett as he emerges with a rich baritone voice in his conversations with John Lee Hooker, inventor of “boogie guitar.” Garrett traces his and Hooker’s early days in this powerful 12-minute number called Conversation with John Lee Hooker. Garrett’s voice resembles Hooker’s, but with deeper vocals.
Thundering Damnation!
In Conversation with John Lee Hooker, a heavy deep bass guitar resonates while Garrett, in relaxed conversational tone, reminisces about John Lee Hooker and how the blues originated. Hooker attributes his church going momma who admonishes him for always sneaking out to listen to a superb unkown guitarist who never made records.
His momma says, “Thundering damnation John Lee Hooker, nothing will ever come good of your life unless you study the bible.”
Garrett bursts into a change of beat, the band takes over, it is explosive. Garrett proceeds to reflect on his own momma preaching about reading books, learning history. He chats of old R&B clubs and memorable performers, singers, sax players, etc. A more familiar name is Levon Helm and the Hawks who played rhythm and blues and later became a member of ’70’s “The Band.”
Included in this multifaceted CD, Garrett includes Leadbelly’s Grasshoppers in my Pillow...I got grasshoppers in my pillow Momma, crickets in my meal.. Leadbelly, a folk legend, died in 1949 was a black Louisiana born who influenced thousands of other musicians.
Willie and the Hand Jive – a Johnny Otis rock and roll oldie has been a staple of 50’s sock hop. Here, Garrett adds some of the blues-based, snappy rock and roll rhythm Garrett is known for. To this song, he adds... I kissed her face... I kissed her lips... but I left her...behind for you... I can’t ever recall hearing this song performed as it is here.
An avid fisherman, the first song is the thunderous jazz-based Wrong Lake To Catch Fish and a softer Just Like a Fish. He isn’t from the bayous he sings of, he hails from Ontario, Canada.
As Garrett is close to his long-time supportive band members, he spotlights keyboardist Ron Casat, who wrote and performs a catchy upbeat, more rock than blues sound, called Looking for a Sign Band members “The Eh Team” consist of Amos on guitar and vocals, Ron Casat on piano, Thom Moon, drums, and Brian Pollock on Bass.
An impressive lineup of special guests join the band, which adds alto, tenor and baritone sax. Included is horn arrangements on selected songs.
Walkin’ Blues, Buried Alive in the Blues, and two of Percy Mayfield’s songs, Maybe It’s Because of Love and That’s What a Little Dream Can Do offer additional stimulated variety.
On the linear notes, author and folk singer Spider Robinson says about Garrett: If Amos Garrett did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him. Fortunately such a trick is beyond my powers, - it is only necessary to discover him. And you have done so. Congratulations.”
That’s what I felt when I discovered Amos Garrett, “I have to hear more of this man.” I only wish I could “see” this performance live. ...mzrizz.
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