[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Burton Gaar

Mighty Long Road

Lousiana Red Hot Records

After seeing Burton Gaar at Tarpon Springs in the fall of 1998, I reviewed his second CD, One Hundred Pounds of Trouble. When I heard that his third CD was ready for release, I put in my request early to review it. I was not disappointed when producer T.C. Davis sent the disc from Nashville. Once again this Louisiana artist has hit the mark with his blend of Blues, R&B and swamp sound. He delivers excellent vocals, wrote all 13 songs and is backed by a red hot band.

Burton enters the new millenium after paying his musical dues in the last one. His musical debut was at age 16 playing bass for legendary Bluesman Slim Harpo in 1959. Through the '60's and '70's, Burton spent time with the popular Boogie Kings and the Stone River Band. In the 1980's he joined the zydeco great Rockin' Sidney (My Toot Toot) band. In the late '80's and early '90's Burton played with Percy Sledge.

Fronting his own band for the last few years has given the public a chance to witness Burton delivering his Louisiana sound with more of his vocals to go along with his bass playing.

I am so impressed by Gaar's songwriting abilities. He dishes up 13 songs that vary from real scorching dance tunes like Bad Motor Scooter to the slow burners like Willingly. He mentions in the liner notes that Sombody Broke My Lock, Soft Place, and One Night Lying are his favorites. You can tell his affection for these songs by the effort he puts into each one. Big Mama Gumbeaux leaves no doubt about which part of the country this artist hails from as the zydeco and swamp influence is evident. From the title song to the rockin' Homewrecker to slow, sultry Truth Is, all of these songs have one thing in common-danceability!

There are excellent musicians to compliment Burton's vocals here. Jack Pearson and Johnny Neal provide slide and keyboard support respectively, just as they have done in the past with the Allman Brothers. On several tracks, Shane Theriot of the Neville Brothers, adds to the guitar work. I think I was most impressed, however, with the harp work of Tim Gonzalez. The liner notes state he is a much in demand session player in Nashville. I can see why.

Another "Louisiana Proud" showing by Garr.Tim Graham