Guitar SHORTY With Otis GRAND - My Way Or The Highway 1991

Guitar SHORTY With Otis GRAND - My Way Or The Highway 1991

Blues

Until he joined forces with British guitarist Otis Grand's band and waxed this very credible comeback set, David "Guitar Shorty" Kearney's legacy was largely limited to a solitary single for Cobra and a handful of great but legendarily obscure followups for Los Angeles-based Pull Records during the late '50s. The acrobatic guitarist informed everyone he was alive and lively with this one, exhibiting his Guitar Slim roots on "Down Thru the Years" and slashing with a vengeance on "No Educated Woman" and the title cut (but shouldn't it have read "or the highway?").
By Bill Dahl, All Music Guide.
**
David "Guitar Shorty" Kearney- (Vocals, Guitar);
Otis Grand- (Guitar);
Buzz Brown- (Harmonica);
Peter Beck- (Alto & Tenor Sax);
Mike Hobart- (baritone Sax);
Lorenzon Parry- (Trumpet);
Tony Ashton- (Hammond B-3 Organ);
Dan Quinton- (Fender Bass);
Daniel Strittmatter- (Drums).
**
01. No Educated Woman 5:17
02. You Gave Me The Blues Baby 5:13
03. Shorty Jumps In 5:58
04. Down Thru The Years 5:21
05. Red Hot Mama 3:16
06. Hot A Saucy, Short And Grand 5:58
07. It's Too Late 10:32
08. Kick Out 5:08
09. My Way Or The Highway 5:44
**
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Guitar SHORTY - We The People 2006

Guitar SHORTY - We The People 2006

Blues

Known for his dazzling stage show, which is highlighted by all manner of leaps, somersaults, and other assorted guitar-playing gymnastics, Guitar Shorty on disc is generally a poor substitute, but he still radiates tremendous energy on this set from Alligator Records. His guitar playing is rich, deep, and heavy as plutonium on these tracks; his vocals are strong and soulful, and there's little doubt that after nearly 50 years in the blues business Shorty is still going strong. Working with a hard blues-rock combo that features Jake Andrews on rhythm guitar, Wyzard on bass, John Thomas on keyboards, and Alvino Bennett on drums, Shorty roars through these cuts like a train at full steam, and he sounds confident and assured, a Texas blues man completely on top of his game. Highlights include a blistering "Runaway Train," the metaphor-drenched "Fine Cadillac," and two powerful and topical Guitar Shorty originals, "We the People" and "Cost of Livin'," both of which address the economic duress that still creates poverty in the U.S. in the 21st century. In all, We the People is nicely balanced between hard rocking party numbers, straight out blues pieces, and strong political statement, making it a timeless and completely current blues record.
By Steve Leggett.
**
"I've been to hell and back, I'm still looking good / I've found the fountain of youth, I've got the blues in my blood," sings Guitar Shorty on "Blues in My Blood"--one of the more autobiographical tracks, albeit one he didn't write, on his second Alligator album in three years. After working for decades with little to show for it, Shorty makes up for lost time, charging through unapologetically tough blues rockers such as "Sonic Boom," "Can't Get Enough" (not the Bad Company tune), and "What Good Is Life?" with the rough-and-tumble enthusiasm of someone half his 67 years. There are few surprises here--Shorty's throaty voice pummels through these tunes, pausing only long enough to make room for his fat, fluid leads to slice into the powerhouse rhythm section. Subtlety is not Shorty's strong point, and even when he accompanies himself on "Cost of Livin'" with just guitar and a tapping foot, it sounds like he's a caged tiger before feeding time. The title track concerns the average laborer's tough life, but this is primarily a blues album tied to the usual subjects of nefarious women doing Shorty wrong. In fact, his ex's phone prefix in "I Got Your Number" is 666. But nobody need look for profound lyrical insights when Shorty slings his molten guitar, pouring his psychedelicized solos like lava over anything in his path. Just push play and get out of the way.
By Hal Horowitz.
**
You've heard the term real deal blues. Well, Guitar Shorty plays real deal blues/rock. The vast population likely does not know that Shorty represents them as a crusading spokesman, who sports a mean six-string. His tough style of music has been created and copied in the past. However, he presents it in a way that makes it feel new. All 12 songs are mostly upbeat and fast. Each seem to reflect something that's pent up deep inside him. However, Shorty will surely capture many rockers into the blues flock with this disc.

We The People does not contain the same old blues. It is loaded with rock edged music. The title track's catchy hook and wah wah splashes will generate ecstasy for baby boomers and Generation X'ers alike. Both will enjoy the song and performer's attitude, anger, and aggression. On Runaway Train, Shorty smacks and jabs with his guitar's notes and chords. Down That Road Again is a radio-friendly rock boogie where the guitar's articulate rhythm elicits zeal. Throughout, Shorty's guitar is in-your-face while his limited vocals are punchy. Together they consistently plow through you like a runaway train. Guitar Shorty stands apart from all other blues/rockers because he adds depth and meaning to his rebellious songs.
By  Tim Holek.
**
Guitar Shorty- (Vocals, Guitar);
Jake Andrews- (Guitar);
Wyzard- (Acoustic Guitar, Electric Bass);
John Thomas- (Keyboards);
Alvino Bennett- (Drums).
**
01. We the People 4:20
02. What Good Is Life 4:04
03. I Got Your Number 3:53
04. Runaway Train 4:59
05. Down That Road Again 4:58
06. Fine Cadillac 5:51
07. Can't Get Enough 4:24
08. A Hurt So Old 3:56
09. Who Needs It? 3:22
10. Blues In My Blood 3:12
11. Cost of Livin' 4:11
12. Sonic Boom 3:13
**
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Guitar SHORTY - Roll Over Baby 1998

Guitar SHORTY - Roll Over Baby 1998

Blues

Shorty is one of those artists who has never received his due. The fact that he influenced both the great Buddy Guy and Jimi Hendrix is almost beside the point. He is an uncommonly good blues guitarist in his own right and a powerful vocalist to boot. Roll Over, Baby is full of memorable sides like the slightly risqué title cut, a nostalgic lover's plea. Shorty also does a fine "Hey Joe" a la Hendrix, yet firmly imprints it with his own stamp. And when Shorty says "Don't Mess with My Woman," you'd better listen. His biting guitar is reminiscent of the late Albert King with a little Clapton thrown in. Pick up this disc and you too will wonder why this master has been overlooked.
By Lars Gandil.
**
Guitar Shorty doesn't need to do somersaults with his guitar at every gig. His powerful guitar playing and downhome singing should stand on their own. Plus, he's got a sense of humor in his music that is part of his on-stage wildman charm. But somersaults? I worry about Shorty. He might hurt his back or something. But he'll never stop doing those damn somersaults. Not as long as he hears the delirious screams every time he takes another dive. While somersaults don't translate to the recording process, his stinging, hot licks, and soulful, witty ways certainly come across on Roll Over, Baby (Black Top 1147; 55:37). The title track finds Shorty in a frisky mood while he digs into the horn-powered shuffle "Sugar Wugar" with a vengeance. There's humor in his covers of Swamp Dogg's "I Want to Report a Crime" and "The Porkchop Song," done here with a New Orleans second line flavor. His warm, overdriven tone on "You're a Troublemaker" is a departure from his normally bright, stinging tone and he reserves his most passionate playing for his own minor key lament, "I Wonder Who's Sleeping in My Bed." After another rousing shuffle on "I'm Going Back to Houston," an ode to his hometown, Shorty closes out the set with a volatile tribute to Jimi Hendrix on "Hey Joe." Cue the somersault on that one.
By Bill Milkowski.
**
Guitar Shorty- (Vocals, Guitar);
Terry Du Rouen- (Guitar);
Mark "Kaz" Kazanoff- (Tenor & Baritone Sax);
Ernest Youngblood, Jr.- (Tenor Sax);
Jamil Sharif, Gary Slechta- (Trumpet);
Rick Trolsen- (Trombone);
David Torkanowsky- (Piano, Wurlitzer, Organ);
Dwayne Smith- (Piano, Organ);
Lee Allen Zeno- (Bass, Rubboard);
Howard Deere- (Bass);
Danny Pucillo, Kenny Blevins, Shannon Powell- (Drums).
**
01. I Want To Report A Crime 4:07
02. Roll Over, Baby 4:48
03. Sugar Wugar 4:46
04. You're A Troublemaker 5:21
05. Don't Mess With My Woman 4:36
06. Me And You Last Night 3:20
07. Let's Get Close 3:09
08. I Wonder Who's Sleeping In My Bed 7:05
09. The Porkchop Song 2:47
10. I'm Going Back To Houston 4:16
11. Hard Time Woman 4:14
12. Hey Joe 7:03
**
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Guitar SHORTY - Watch Your Back 2004

Guitar SHORTY - Watch Your Back 2004

Blues

Houston-born blues showman Guitar Shorty, who once taught his young brother-in-law Jimi Hendrix a few stage tricks, has been on the scene since 1957, blasting out rocking blues with over-the-top enthusiasm. His recording career, highlighted by a trio of fine Black Top releases in the '90s, has been unfortunately limited, but Watch Your Back might finally put him in the spotlight. Much of the material, except for muscular reworkings of Van Morrison's "I've Been Working" and the recently discofied Elvis hit "A Little Less Conversation," comes from his producer and pianist Jesse Harms, and it effectively showcases Shorty's aggressive approach: a big sound short on subtlety but permeated with passionate vocals and searing guitar work. He simply overpowers the songs with his energy, and you can either go with the flow or get swept aside by its immediacy. The music is uniformly loud and in your face, just as you would expect from such an extroverted entertainer, and, more often than not, its sheer intensity overcomes any musical shortcomings.
bY Michael Point.
**
Guitar Shorty- (Vocals, Guitar)
Electric Vic- Johnson (Guitar)
Jesse Harms- (Electric Piano, Percussion)
Sweet William Bouchard- (Bass Guitar)
Alvino Bennett- (Drums, Percussion)
**
01. Old School 3:59
02. Story Of My Life 3:13
03. I'm Gonna Leave You 5:44
04. What She Don't Know 3:16
05. I've Been Working 4:33
06. Get Busy 3:41
07. Let My Guitar To The Talking 4:50
08. It Ain't The Fall That Kills You
09. A Little Less Conversation 5:12
10. Right Tool For The Job 3:44
**
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