Eclecticity

Don’t let the title of this disc, Eclecticity, and the name of the artist, Gat, fool you. Granted, a variety of musical styles and recording methods are featured on these eleven tracks but fans of Graham Allman-Talbot will have no trouble recognizing elements that are common to Graham’s music – Rickenbacker 12-string chiming riffs aplenty, and a reverence for Roger McGuinn’s and the Byrds’ body of work. The disc includes an outstanding version of the Chris Hillman-penned “Have You Seen Her Face” and the Roger and Camilla McGuinn Irish-inspired folk-rock ballad “May The Road Rise To Meet You.” In fact, it shouldn’t surprise listeners to hear a combination of Graham’s layers-of-guitars solo material as Gat and his jingle-jangle collaborative efforts with Starbyrd on this disc (there is a reference to Starbyrd in the lyrics of “I’m Home” and his Starbyrd partner Horst-Peter Schmidt co-wrote “Coming Of Age”). Classic Beatles influences are also present in Graham’s music, and his vocals often remind me a bit of George Harrison. The excellent stripped down version of “After The Gold Rush” is indicative of the impact that Neil Young has had on Graham’s music. Last but not least, Graham pays homage to Arthur Lee by reprising lyrics that Arthur used on Love’s “the Red Telephone” in the album-ending opus “You’re Everywhere.” If you are a fan of the aforementioned artists, you will really dig this album. If you are addicted to jangly, Byrds-derivative music, you will love this album. Graham Allman Talbot is a 21st century ambassador of the folk-rock music that originated in the mid-1960s, and Eclecticity is the latest testament to his exceptional ambassadorial skills. Just as the lyrics to “I’m Home” suggest, you too will be right at home with Graham’s timeless melodies, songs and harmonies.