Rock Archeologia

Danny And The Fat Boys - American Music 1975 Aladdin Records -ALPS-102

Artist: Danny And The Fat Boys
Album: American Music
Label: Aladdin Records
Catalog#: ALPS-102
Format: Vinyl-Rip, LP 
Country: US
Released: 1975
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Format: FLAC (tracks+.cue)
Total Time: 00:49:35

• Washington, DC-born Danny Gatton (1945 -- 1994) was already attracting attention with his fiery electric guitar playing when he formed Danny and the Fat Boys in 1974. Having sharpened his skills as a member of a late-60s high school band, the Offbeats, and temporarily moving to Nashville in the early-70s, Gatton had briefly performed with a country band, Liz Meyer and Friends after returning to Washington, DC in June 1974.
• Joining with vocalist Billy Hancock, pianist Dick Heintze, drummer Robbie Magruder, bass player Steve Wolf and tenor saxophonist Ralph McDuffie, Gatton formed Danny and the Fat Boys in late-1974. Although they released only one album -- American Music -- in October1975, the band masterfully showcased their diverse repertoire which included rockabilly ("Ubangi Stomp"), small combo jazz ("Harlem Nocturne"), R&B ("Memphis Disco Funk") and reggae ("Move On Down The Line"). A much-sought collector's item, the album failed to reach sales expectations when initially released and the group disbanded before recording a follow-up.
• Launching a solo career, following the break-up of Danny and the Fat Boys, Gatton had no more success than he had with the band. Although he made his major label debut at the age of forty-six, Gatton was dropped by the label (Elektra) shortly after the album's release. A jazz album released on the Blue Note label failed to provide the hoped-for breakthrough, leaving Gatton frustrated and despondent. On October 20, 1994, he committed suicide in his Newburg, Maryland home.
                                                                                                              - Craig Harris (allmusic.com)

  • Track Listing:

01. American Music 2:55
02. Hauled Off And Loved Her 2:15
03. Good Enough To Keep 2:50
04. Ubangi Stomp 1:48
05. After Hours 5:30
06. Honeysuckle Rose 3:25
07. A Tribute To Amos Milburn 5:25
08. Memphis Disco Funk 5:33
09. Move On Down The Line 3:38
10. Harlem Nocturne 4:00

Personnel:

Bass – Derwin Holder (tracks: A6, B1), Steve Wolfe (tracks: B2)
Clavinet – Moses McDaniel (tracks: B2)
Drums – Dave Elliott, Robbie Magruder (tracks: B2, B3), Scott Taylor (tracks: A6, B1)
Fiddle – Jimmy Unger (tracks: A3)
Guitar – Danny Gatton, Jake Melchioni (tracks: A2), Lance Quinn (tracks: B3)
Percussion – Obie O'Brien (tracks: B3)
Piano – Dick Heintze (tracks: A1, A2, A3, A5, A6, B1, B4)
Tenor Saxophone – Ralph McDuffie (tracks: A1, B4), Ted Efantis (tracks: A6, B1)
Vibraphone – Charlie Barden (tracks: A6, B1)
Vocals, Bass – Bill Hancock

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