Jim Gallant

CD REVIEW: Jim Gallant - Old Hat with a New Coat By Cyrus Rhodes - Chief Music Critic at Muses Muse. www.indiemusicdigest.com &www.kataviarts.com

Artist: Jim Gallant Album: Old Hat with a New Coat Label: Independent Artist Website: http://www.jimgallant.com Genre: Americana, Folk, Acoustic The CD kicks things off with “Joshua” an upbeat intro piece that serves up classic Americana vibe that delivers slamming fiddle, driving rhythm, & rich harmonies & hooky melody from Gallant. Track 2 “Pilgrims Song” keeps things moving with its smooth flowing rhythm, impressive solo guitar accents, & classic Americana groove. Track 3 shifts gears up a notch with Blind Ted Darby classic “I Never Cried” a classic guitar driven melody with slamming Banjo, driving rhythm, & passionate vocals from Gallant that flows & ebbs it’s way through to emotional fruition. This CD makes a solid first impression dishing out 3 solid tracks in arrow. As this CD slowly unfolds I can hear many different musical soundscapes reminiscent of such classic acts like Kingston trio, Peter Paul & Mary, & Lyle Lovitt.The music itself is an amazing blend of modern acoustic folk, with Americana roots with an unmistakable country, bluegrass, & R&B vibe. The musicianship of all the players involved is equally as impressive. Gallant brings a slew of impressive session players to the table. You will notice lush layers of instrumentation layered everywhere, from impressive solo guitar licks, well placed harmonies, impressive banjo licks, fiddles & mandolin. But the most impressive thing about Old Hat with a New Coat is the impressive songwriting & vocal persona from Gallant. From upbeat “Whaleback Mountain Night” & Rings” to Celtic “Ballad of Billy D Byron” & Penny Candy Man” to grooving “Buffalo Bill” this CD has something for just about everyone. The CD ends with “Ain’t No Future In That” the perfect finale statement for a CD of this caliber. From start to finish Old Hat with a New Coat by Jim Gallant is one impressive catalog of music. The music is consistent, uplifting, & extremely entertaining. Note for note, song for song there isn’t really a weak piece on this entire catalog. The writing & playing abilities of Gallant & company & his band is rock solid. The lyrics are catchy, & the melodies are well crafted & hooky. Last but not least the songwriting & vocal presence from front Jim Gallant is world-class. It’s no wonder Jim Gallant is as popular as he is out east.

Old Hat With A New Coat 11 tracks Down-home country goodness. Sounds like an ad for an old-fashioned country meal, but Jim Gallant’s music provides a warmth and comfort that just comes along with old-school country music —when it’s done right, as it is here. Eleven folksy tunes make up Old Hat With A New Coat (great title, by the way) and I can say that this Maine native and his talented band serve up the genre perfectly for those who love this style. From the disc opener, “Joshua,” a tune that conjures up images of good ol’ square dancin’ in a barn, to the traveling vibe of “I Never Cried,” to the wonderful instrumental “My Aunt Obie’s Reel,” Jim Gallant’s CD is a delightful mix of finger pickin’, toe-tappin’, great country music.

May 2004 - 
Jim Gallant
River Watch
Outer Green Records
by Ron Hart
    The art of folk guitar is amongst the most beautiful and challenging styles in modern music and New Gloucester's Jim Gallant ranks among some of the finest tunesmith's in the Northeast. His unique, eloquent blending of New Age, classical, Celtic and Kottke-esque fingerpicking has earned him stage time alongside such greats as Taj Mahal, Doc Watson and The New Grass Revival in addition to the inclusion of his music on a Christmas album for LL Bean. His latest LP, River Watch, is a lovely continuation of Gallant's proficiency in his art. In addition to several of his own lush, airy compositions, this third album also features a string of exceptionally well-executed covers, which stand tall as some of the strongest material included here. His reinterpretation of 17th Century blind Irish folk harpist Turlough O'Carolan's "O'Carolan's Drought/Planxty Irwin" is nothing short of stunning, while his "Americana Medley", which includes such old times anthems as "Davey Crockett", "Yankee Doodle Dandy", "Ste Anne's Reel", "Take Me Out To The Ballgame", "Grandfather's Clock", and "Good Night", should be required listening for any patriot getting dumb on Toby Keith and Lee Greenwood. But the gem of River Watch is Gallant's version of Leo Kottke's "Jack Fig/Cripple Creek", which bring the guitar legend's time-honored acoustic piece to a whole new plateau. Anyone who appreciates great instrumental folk music should definitely search for a copy of this fine collection. For more information, please check out Gallant's website at www.jimgallant.com.

April 2004 - 
Jim Gallant
River Watch
Outer Green Records
by Kris Gamjost
    Jim Gallant is a very fine acoustic guitarist and his new album, "River Watch," is well worth a listen for instrumental guitar.
    Gallant has a lively finger-picking style that creates bright undertones and reverberations. He often reminds me of John Fahey. He has his Leo Kottke moments as well, most obviously when he does "Jack Fig/Cripple Creek" from Kottke's repertoire. It is a great challenge to take on such a recognizable sound as Kottke's, but he acquits himself well without trying to be as fast as the lightning Kottke.
    One of the sweetest songs on the album is the delightfully understated "The Odd Waltz." This Gallant original shows how wonderful instrumental guitar can be when it isn't about speed or complexity. The song dances from quiet to strong and back again. The melody is simple and clear and enjoyable.
    "Mobile Obile" gives a nice bluesy punch to a rolling accoustic Kottke-esque song. There are some great touch notes here and a great energy. Anyone with a love of folk music will get wrapped up in Gallant's "Americana Medley." Snippets of "Davy Crockett," "Yankee Doodle Dandy," "Ste Anne's Reel," "Take Me Out To The Ball Game," "Grandfather's Clock" and "Good Night Irene" all get spung together with a strong driving beat and an overall tonal glow that is just delightful.