Tuesday, March 13, 2007

The Master of the Telecaster

For any of you who don't know, Danny Gatton is one of the most incredible telecaster players you will ever hear. He has been nicknamed The Master of the Telecaster, and rightfully so. Check out the album "Relentless," with jazz organ player Joey DeFrancesco, or "Redneck Jazz," which features pedal-steel guitar legend Buddy Emmons on a few tracks. There are a few Wav files on the Danny Gatton site, or you can check out any of his videos on YouTube to get your mind blown.

Danny has a banjo-roll technique (he is also a banjo player) that gives him some insane chops. He also has a signature lick in which he keeps a pedal tone going at a sixteenth note pace or faster, and plays another phrase over the top of it. It's pretty sick! His tone is a little abrasive at times, but it almost has to be to get all of those notes to come through. Once you get to know Danny's playing, you will find the tone to just be part of the experience.

Unfortunately, Danny committed suicide in 1994. However, his music lives on, and I encourage any Telecaster fan, and any fan of great guitar playing in general, to give him a listen. You won't be disappointed.

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