Windo, Gary: Deep Water

Listening to the late Gary Windo has been a real pleasure lately having previously reviewed Dogface and Steam Radio Tapes. His second release Deep Water is the subject of this review. The album is a blend of jazz and rock with each genre getting equal billing and it works more often than not. Here the sound is more hard driving than his other discs with plenty of offbeat instrumentation and melodic hooks. In the band are Windo (saxophones, bass clarinet, vocals), Knox Chandler (guitars), Jack Robinson (bass), Steve Moses (drums) and Ann Sheldon (cello).

Many of the songs are quite personal with hard hitting lyrics and real life themes. His passion and soul really comes out in the music. His voice also works well and although it may not be for everyone I appreciate his restrained delivery. There really are some nice vocal melodies to be found.

The opening title track begins with some wild sax bursts and his playing does not let up over the songs six plus minutes. This one has a jam style rock sound. "Blonde Country" opens with some Eddie Van Halen-like guitar pyrotechnics before settling into Windo's melodic sax lines. "Clean Machine" has a European new wave flavour while "Ginkie", recorded in 1976, has Windo's sax taking on a southern rock charm in the melody. "Subway Love" features more gripping sax and an excellent guitar solo from Chandler and again ventures into new wave territory at times. The album ends with the Psychedelic Furs tune "Sister Europe" featuring some of Windo's most passionate soloing on the disc. Chandler shines here as well adding some stunning guitar atmospherics.

Although he is gone, Gary Windo's music lives on and for that we should all be grateful. Released on Gonzo Multimedia.

Track Listing:
1. Deep Water
2. Blonde Country
3. Clean Machine
4. Don't Bite Too Hard (Your Teeth Are Too Sharp)
5. Ginkie
6. Subway Love
7. Ghosts
8. Breakfast In Bed
9. Sister Europe

Added: March 17th 2014
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Label's Official Site
Hits: 1678
Language: english

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