Reviews

VIBE (David Gogo - Cordova Bay)

By Eric Thom
December 06, 2004

David Gogo takes a page from the more aggressive side of his musical persona with this swaggering, balls-to-the-walls take on traditional rock, but with a difference. His sixth release, Vibe serves up ten original tracks that spit attitude as they spew testosterone backed by Gogo’s ever-maturing talent as a commanding singer and crack guitarist. Yet these arrangements go well beyond the traditional requirements of the beer-guzzling crowd - the added panache of female background singers, Gerry Barnum’s paint-peeling harmonica and guests like Jeff Healey help elevate these compositions into a category of their own. Gogo’s guitar and compelling vocals provide the glue and, although Vibe seems to step away from the exciting R&B territory he was beginning to explore, this is a confident step forward with some obvious rewards: “Hey Juanita” is no lyrical tour de force but champions a killer, cocksure power hook that trades in goosebumps. “Love in the City” - a duet with Tom Wilson steers Stones-grade rock chords towards Humble Pie, Gogo’s passionate slide adding clout. “Why Don’t You Show Me” flexes the Gogo blues muscle that will eventually make him a household name, regardless of which Vibe he chooses to make his own.