Danny Gatton's Version of Sleepwalk

[roger bayliss]

See they try to be different and .... I thought Danny's version was interesting and the sound is a bit biting probably due to the camera mic but I put it up for variety's sake and it is obviously a different style of playing to us instrumental styles but it's a great big world and it takes all sorts and that is what makes life a bit more interesting and adds variety to life and music. Telecasters are bright guitars !

[noelford]

I have no problem with Shads tunes being played differently, I do it all the time myself and I enjoy other people's original arrangement, too. This particular version, though, I thought was badly played, unpleasant to listen to and, for me, had no musical merit whatsoever. All of that is, of course, simply my personal opinion - it does indeed take all sorts and I'll even admit to liking Jonathan Ross!

[cockroach]

For goodness sake!!

OK, many of you don't like the guy's sound, or the arrangement, but he was NOT playing 'badly'...the guy had incredible technique, his own style and incredible musical understanding. OK, he was a flashy rather than totally taseful player (i.e. hot stuff, but 'no Chet Atkins')

Not liking something doesn't necessarily make it bad, crap or of no value, it's simply a matter of personal taste.

There are some similarities to Jeff Beck's playing style here, and it would be pushing it to call him a 'bad' player surely?

Danny died from a tragic suicide by the way- despite his talent, he never got the right breaks, and depression set in. A lot of folk worldwide have a very high opinion of his playing.

If you want to hear another fine version of Sleepwalk, try finding the live version by Nokie Edwards from video of the Ventures 2004 tour on YouTube....less flashy than Danny, with a mellower tone from Nokie, but still absolutely superb and tasteful, in my opinion.

I still love old Hank...but in this big old world, he isn't the be-all and end-all of electric guitar playing (and nor would he claim to be)

[JimN]

I have no problem with Shads tunes being played differently

It wasn't a Shadows tune.

Jeff, Danny and Amos were all paying homage to the Santo & Johnny original.

JN

[51 Relic]

I personally think as a life long Danny Gatton fan that this could be a very misunderstood video to see his real talent check out his teaching videos on You Tube. His Rockabilly playing and picking is second to none just ask Jerry Donahue or Albert Lee .I also feel that the backing band and sound man done him no favours !! He was also known as the Guitar Heros Guitar Hero for good reason

Also for a new slant on a great Shadows classic try listening to the Savage by Jerry Donahue on his album Neck of the Wood also played on a Telecaster !

[noelford]

I have no problem with Shads tunes being played differently

It wasn't a Shadows tune.

Jeff, Danny and Amos were all paying homage to the Santo & Johnny original.

JN

I bought the Santo and Johnny version when it was first released and I imagine most people know that Sleepwalk was first recorded by them. I simply referred to the Shadows because this is a Shadows forum and there are members who don't like to hear alternative arrangements.

Cockroach, I don't think Danny Gatton was a bad player, but I still think he played sleepwalk 'badly' because he misinterpreted the tune, to my way of thinking and appeared to have no empathy with the melody. But that, as I said, is me.

[Stratpicker]

[/quote]
he misinterpreted the tune, to my way of thinking and appeared to have no empathy with the melody. But that, as I said, is me.[/quote]
Thats what I meant. It was Sleepwalk, JIm, but not as we know it.

[andykombi]

yes agree not a good version Why a tele i dont know no echo 2 out of ten for that one folks

[George Geddes]

Why not a Tele?

The original was played on a steel guitar, after all...

George

[dave robinson]

I think he plays it great - it's actually quite similar to the Santo and Johnny track.