By DONNA BALANCIA
On first listen, Geoff Gibbons sounds a little like Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie, but there’s more to this alt-country performer than just a good voice.
For his latest album, Buffalo Hotel, the Canada-born Gibbons did his homework. He traveled the U.S. and went to many different and highly revered music meccas including Muscle Shoals, Ala., Nashville, and Memphis, looking for just the right sound.
“When I got back home I wasn’t just inspired,” he said. “I was altered.”
Check out the video for Lonesome Angel here:
Southern Travels for Buffalo Hotel
Gibbons’ listeners are that much the richer for his experiences. But he hardly travels alone, as experience can be the best companion. The flavors he tasted, people he met and adventures he enjoyed permeate his work.
Gibbons brought in The Sojourners, a soulful trio of male backing vocalists who impart an ecclesiastical aura of Southern gospel.
Gibbons Always a Working Musician
Inspired at an early age by Cat Stevens, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, Gibbons was a consistent professional musician. He’s played in several bands, and at age 20 he jetted off to Australia’s Gold Coast to perform for tourists by night and would hang at the beach by day.
Buffalo Hotel: Seventies California Country
Gibbons formed the band Silverlode and went back to his native Canada to perform on bills with Emmylou Harris, the McGarrigle Sisters, David Crosby, as well as Levon Helm and Rick Danko of The Band.
Gibbons’ Career Has Taken Some Wide Turns
Gibbons has written songs for TV shows and films. But his true love is for the 1970s country-rock of Southern California, which he said has always been a prime influence on his work.
“I couldn’t get enough of long-haired guys playing country-influenced music,” he said, referring to the Byrds, Fool’s Gold and the Flying Burrito Brothers. He grabbed co-producer John McArthur Ellis to add guitar and pedal steel to Buffalo Hotel.
Release Info
Artist Name: Geoff Gibbons
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
Release Name: Buffalo Hotel
Release Date: Jul 01, 2017
Label: Independent
Producer: John MacArthur Ellis
Track List:
1. “Ain’t Goin’ Back ”
2. “Lonesome Angel”
3. “Carolina Bound”
4. “Hard Hard Rain”
5. “Me and Buffalo Bill”
6. “The Other Side”
7. “Back To You”
8. “Ever Get To Georgia”
9. “Blinded By Tumbleweeds”
10. “Picture of Adeline”
11. “City From The Stars”
12. “Where Midnight Rolls”