Jamie deRoy and the Gatlin Brothers
Oscar E Moore from the rear mezzanine for Talk Entertainment.com
This time round at the Metropolitan Room, Jamie deRoy was not celebrating the Tony Awards or the Oscars but her good friends – The Gatlin Brothers – Larry, Steve and Rudy singing in perfect down home harmony. Usually her evenings are spent with an assortment of entertainers presented in an Ed Sullivan-like parade of talent. Not this time. This time it was a full fledged country western concert by the one and only famous Gatlin Brothers. And it was terrific.
The usual martinis that accompany the cabaret performances that the Metropolitan Room is known for were replaced by tacos and salsa and ice cold Corona with lime. There were many fans that had come out to see this rare appearance of the three Texans in New York City.
I am not embarrassed to say that I had not ever heard them sing before. I had heard the name but was totally unfamiliar with their music. When I requested a song list I was told that they usually just wing it. And wing it they did. They have a style and energy all their own. The leader of the pack, Larry Gatlin who started out as an assistant bricklayer has a confidence and ego the size of the Lone Star State. And rightly so. He is first and foremost a great entertainer with a powerful voice and personality. After three throat surgeries and at the age of 61 he sings like a young man wooing his first love – the audience. Just listen to him sing “Broken Lady” and you will instantly become a fan.
There really is no need to review them. They are an institution unto themselves. Suffice it to say that they are true red white and blue entertainers with a great selection of story telling country western songs that get our feet a tapping and our voices wanting to join in all of the fun generated.
Accompanied by Steve Smith on guitar and Marty Fischer on drums they sang some of their greatest hits, highlighted by “I Don’t Wanna Cry”, “Houston”, “Penny Annie” (my favorite) and songs from their new album, the first in 17 years, “The Pilgrimage”, which will be available in the fall, released on Curb Records. If “Johnny Cash is Dead and his House Burned Down” is any indication of the quality of the new work the Gatlin Brothers will be nominated for yet another Grammy.
Larry Gatlin is presently working on a new musical based on Rosie the Riveter and sang a beautiful song about a woman longing for a better life, dreaming of her future while looking in the windows of Saks Fifth Avenue. She’s tried dreaming other dreams, but no other dream would do. It’s a lovely song. All the best with this new show.
Midway through, they gave a brief and quiet tribute to the late Michael Jackson – “Here Come the Tear Drops”. It was just right.
And then, once again, they had the joint jumpin. So many of their fans knew all of the lyrics and were singing along. It’s a pity that the agent from William Morris was a no show. He sure missed a good one. The Grand Ole Opry had truly arrived in New York City. www.gatlinbrothers.com
Please visit www.oscaremoore.com
06-28-09
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Joel
wrote:
Those guys can really sing, and their new single is awesome!! I hope I can hear them live again soon, come back to Texas guys!!
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