CHRIS GAFFNEY
''LOSER'S PARADISE''
1995
40:57
1 The Eyes Of Roberto Duran (Tom Russell) 02:52
2 Loser's Paradise (Chris Gaffney) 03:02
3 The Man Of Somebody's Dream (Chris Gaffney) 03:57
4 So Far From God (And Too Close You) (Chris Gaffney) 03:03
5 East Of Houston, West Of Baton Rouge (Dave Alvin, B.J.Swan) 03:24
6 Cowboys To Girls (Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff) 04:16
7 Azulito (Chris Gaffney) 02:48
8 My Baby's Got A Dead Man's Number (Jackson Browne, Chris Gaffney) 03:02
9 See the Big Man Cry (Ed Bruce) 02:51
10 Help You Dream (Dave Alvin) 03:50
11 Glasshouse (Chris Gaffney) 03:45
12 Sugar Bee (Eddie Shuler) 04:02
Dave Alvin/Guest Artist, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Producer
Ponty Bone/Accordion, Guest Artist
Sarah Brown/Bass Guitar
Gene Elders/Fiddle
Rosie Flores/Guest Artist, Vocals
Chris Gaffney/Accordion, Guitar, Piano, Vocals
Jim Lauderdale/Guest Artist, Vocals
Donald Lindley/Drums, Percussion
Ian McLagan/Organ (Hammond)
Danny Ott/Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Slide Guitar, Vocals (Background)
Ted Roddy/Harmonica
Tony Villanueva/Vocals
Scott Walls/Pedal Steel
Dale Watson/Vocals
Bradley Jaye Williams/Accordion
Lucinda Williams/Guest Artist, Vocals
REVIEW/AMG
by Jack Leaver
Although not quite the standout album that Mi Vida Loca is, Loser's Paradise is another consistent effort, serving up the same winning mix of country, roots rock, soul, and norteño. This time around, friend Dave Alvin handles the production, as well as providing some inspired six-string work, and contributes a couple of gems with the Cajun-flavored "East of Houston, West of Baton Rouge" and the honky tonkin' "Help You Dream." As with his other records, Gaffney's songwriting is superb, bringing hard-luck tales and characters to life with his weathered voice and keen roots sensibility. For instance, check out his George Jones-like ballad "Glasshouse," the melancholy "My Baby's Got a Dead Man's Number," and the lovely norteño number "Azulito." His cover choices also rule: Lucinda Williams duets on a wonderful version of the Intruders' 1968 soul chestnut "Cowboys to Girls," and Gaffney thoughtfully rediscovers the Ed Bruce-penned, 1964 Charlie Louvin hit "See the Big Man Cry." Gaffney plays guitar, accordion, and piano, while enlisting instrumental backing from a standout band that includes longtime Rod Stewart sideman Ian McLagan on Hammond organ and pedal steel guitarist Scott Wells. And the vocal help reads like an alternative country who's who, featuring Rosie Flores, Jim Lauderdale, Dale Watson, and Tony Villanueva (lead singer of the Derailers). A must-have for Gaffney fans, and a good introduction for new ones as well.
BIOGRAPHY/AMG
by Johnny Loftus
Chris Gaffney grew up in Arizona, where he learned to play the accordion as a young child. The instrument would later influence the performer's mix of norteño with country and rock & roll. Gaffney eventually mastered guitar as well, and spent his teen years gigging in cover and house bands. In 1977, he formed a partnership with keyboardist Wyman Reese, who also produced Gaffney's initial solo efforts. Road to Indio appeared in 1986; it featured '50s rock, soul, and dusty Bakersfield honky tonk. Chris Gaffney & the Cold Hard Facts followed in 1990, and delved into Gaffney's Hispanic heritage. His third solo effort, Mi Vida Loca, was issued in 1992. Loser's Paradise appeared in 1995, with production from blue-collar stalwart Dave Alvin and contributions from Lucinda Williams and Jim Lauderdale. In 2002, he formed the Hacienda Brothers with Dave Gonzalez of the Paladins, and they recorded three albums before Gaffney contracted liver cancer; he died on April 17, 2008. One year later, the tribute album A Man of Somebody's Dreams: A Tribute to the Songs of Chris Gaffney appeared, featuring contributions from Alvin and Los Lobos, among others.
WEBSITE
TO THE TOP
''LOSER'S PARADISE''
1995
40:57
1 The Eyes Of Roberto Duran (Tom Russell) 02:52
2 Loser's Paradise (Chris Gaffney) 03:02
3 The Man Of Somebody's Dream (Chris Gaffney) 03:57
4 So Far From God (And Too Close You) (Chris Gaffney) 03:03
5 East Of Houston, West Of Baton Rouge (Dave Alvin, B.J.Swan) 03:24
6 Cowboys To Girls (Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff) 04:16
7 Azulito (Chris Gaffney) 02:48
8 My Baby's Got A Dead Man's Number (Jackson Browne, Chris Gaffney) 03:02
9 See the Big Man Cry (Ed Bruce) 02:51
10 Help You Dream (Dave Alvin) 03:50
11 Glasshouse (Chris Gaffney) 03:45
12 Sugar Bee (Eddie Shuler) 04:02
Dave Alvin/Guest Artist, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Producer
Ponty Bone/Accordion, Guest Artist
Sarah Brown/Bass Guitar
Gene Elders/Fiddle
Rosie Flores/Guest Artist, Vocals
Chris Gaffney/Accordion, Guitar, Piano, Vocals
Jim Lauderdale/Guest Artist, Vocals
Donald Lindley/Drums, Percussion
Ian McLagan/Organ (Hammond)
Danny Ott/Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Slide Guitar, Vocals (Background)
Ted Roddy/Harmonica
Tony Villanueva/Vocals
Scott Walls/Pedal Steel
Dale Watson/Vocals
Bradley Jaye Williams/Accordion
Lucinda Williams/Guest Artist, Vocals
REVIEW/AMG
by Jack Leaver
Although not quite the standout album that Mi Vida Loca is, Loser's Paradise is another consistent effort, serving up the same winning mix of country, roots rock, soul, and norteño. This time around, friend Dave Alvin handles the production, as well as providing some inspired six-string work, and contributes a couple of gems with the Cajun-flavored "East of Houston, West of Baton Rouge" and the honky tonkin' "Help You Dream." As with his other records, Gaffney's songwriting is superb, bringing hard-luck tales and characters to life with his weathered voice and keen roots sensibility. For instance, check out his George Jones-like ballad "Glasshouse," the melancholy "My Baby's Got a Dead Man's Number," and the lovely norteño number "Azulito." His cover choices also rule: Lucinda Williams duets on a wonderful version of the Intruders' 1968 soul chestnut "Cowboys to Girls," and Gaffney thoughtfully rediscovers the Ed Bruce-penned, 1964 Charlie Louvin hit "See the Big Man Cry." Gaffney plays guitar, accordion, and piano, while enlisting instrumental backing from a standout band that includes longtime Rod Stewart sideman Ian McLagan on Hammond organ and pedal steel guitarist Scott Wells. And the vocal help reads like an alternative country who's who, featuring Rosie Flores, Jim Lauderdale, Dale Watson, and Tony Villanueva (lead singer of the Derailers). A must-have for Gaffney fans, and a good introduction for new ones as well.
BIOGRAPHY/AMG
by Johnny Loftus
Chris Gaffney grew up in Arizona, where he learned to play the accordion as a young child. The instrument would later influence the performer's mix of norteño with country and rock & roll. Gaffney eventually mastered guitar as well, and spent his teen years gigging in cover and house bands. In 1977, he formed a partnership with keyboardist Wyman Reese, who also produced Gaffney's initial solo efforts. Road to Indio appeared in 1986; it featured '50s rock, soul, and dusty Bakersfield honky tonk. Chris Gaffney & the Cold Hard Facts followed in 1990, and delved into Gaffney's Hispanic heritage. His third solo effort, Mi Vida Loca, was issued in 1992. Loser's Paradise appeared in 1995, with production from blue-collar stalwart Dave Alvin and contributions from Lucinda Williams and Jim Lauderdale. In 2002, he formed the Hacienda Brothers with Dave Gonzalez of the Paladins, and they recorded three albums before Gaffney contracted liver cancer; he died on April 17, 2008. One year later, the tribute album A Man of Somebody's Dreams: A Tribute to the Songs of Chris Gaffney appeared, featuring contributions from Alvin and Los Lobos, among others.
WEBSITE
TO THE TOP
1 comment :
I've been interested in Gaffney, I'm familiar with his songs by other artists but have not heard his albums.
Thanks Davi
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