Larry Garner

"Standing Room Only"

Ruf 1024

Larry Garner's latest effort is a testament to style and class, this man exudes it on every track of this wholly self penned offering. The secret to Larry’s blues lies in the lyrics. A relative newcomer to the blues world, Garner didn’t start hitting the stage until about 1986, but he had been a songwriter all his life. His lyrics draw attention to the day to day events people must deal with in their lives and how they do it. Do Your Personal Thing reminds us that it is okay to dream and chase those dreams. In Out In The country, he laments the fact that "when we got to the country, it had already been citified". His grinding slow burners I’ll Run cross You, Drifter, and cold chills, speak of loves many facets . . . losing it, running from it, and reveling in it. Each and every track is an invitation to listen to what he has to say.

Larry’s steady guitar work combined with Ernest Williams Jr.’s monster B3 and piano are well suited to Dave Smith’s smooth bass lines and Steve Potts’ tireless drums. (This trio worked on the last Luther Allison and coco Montoya recordings.) Producer Jim Gaines pulled it all together and we are presented with a truly fine recording.

Larry Garner ends all his live sets by thanking everyone for keeping the blues alive and then wading into the room to personally thank those in attendance . . . . thank you Larry, Standing Room Only is what the blues is all about!

Larry Lisk

©copyright 1999, Suncoast Blues Society