Sometimes a band pools all their money, rolls the dice, and bets everything on a completely unique sound. These days, most groups don't even put out an album, just a few singles. They only release an LP if they get a bite on one of their tunes. And many times, a band's so close to their music that they can't really tell which song will hit! Fortunately, The Gentlemen decided to throw a whole bunch of music out to the public on "Big-Hearted Man" and let them decide! Playing together for twenty-five years, the group consists of Kirk Bruner (drums, background vocals), John Garretson (lead vocals, guitar), Lindsay Gillis (guitars), and Chris Stendahl (bass). Additional players include Shawn Murphy (lead vocals, sax), Porter Hanson (background vocals), and Tom McNally (lead guitar). Producer and auteur John Garretson sings in a rich baritone and wrote all the tunes.
Let's get right to the standout storyline arc. Magnet" imediately grabs you with thick, pulsing Rock drums that beat you with their ardor. "Like a magnet, I am caught up in your dragnet... Like a magnet, you have drawn me with your magic." Those Gypsy-flecked "Cola Eyes" hypnotize, mesmerize, and entice with their Iberian beat. "Cola eyes, midnight moon. Cola eyes read me soon. You brush by, urgent sway. Breathe the spice of your sweet sashay. Passions weigh, sweeps my way. Can I entice you to stay?" They continue the theme with the subtly seductive,"Hypnotized." Singer Shawn Murphy hooks you with a Boz Scaggs "Lowdown" beat. "Built a wall around me. A fortress made of pride. Woman you astound me. How you get inside. Ain't no doubt about it, it comes as no surprise. I just can't live without you. You got me hypnotized." And then, the immense power, funk, and glory of the story of the cosmic "Big Bang." The twin lead-guitars pulse until the inevitable you know what! Then comes the big cool down with the slow, smokey, wrenching "Second Man Blues." "Stolen moments with you. Guess I got my hopes up. What a foolish thing to do. Now I'm caught up in the web we've spun. Lovingly entangled, it's going to hurt someone. Now it's changed, no word from you. Guess I'll settle in to the second man blues." And finally in the end, it's "So Nice to See You Again." Time passes, the lovers meet in the street, and in a sublime, perky, swing, realize what they've missed and rekindle the flame! "We had a bit of a frosty spell. How I've survived, baby, it's been hell... You know you reach me like no one I've ever known, but now life's no good, baby, on my own... I guess I've been getting ready for you, I never believed we were through."
These A-list musicians, capture the wild groove like no one's business. They embrace the throbbing, modern heart-beat of Electronica and encase it with a deep, pounding, old-school human urgency. Then top it with a tasty heap of consummate solos. So leap in, latch on, and hang tight as these Bakersfield cowboys lose their "Playboy cool" and unleash a tsunami of emotions! Breathe in the allure and seduction of romance gone good, bad, and everywhere in between!
©2018 Roger Zee