A folk pioneer's definitive statement
hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 06/29/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Gibson's last LP of the '60s (released in 1964) is something of a closing punctuation mark on the folk revival. Having pioneered the popular exposition of folk music as early as the mid-50s, Gibson stayed true to his simple presentations even as Folk became a counterculture phenomenon. By 1964 the folk revival was winding down, and about to be sunk under the keel of the British Invasion, which adds to the irony of this being Gibson's most polished and full statement of his musical vision.
The songbook for this album was unusually rich in original compositions, Gibson having apparently tired of treading the tradition. Many of these tunes were penned with the legendary Shel Silverstein, and a pair with one-time singing partner, Hamilton Camp. Gibson's 12-string provides rich accompaniment for his boyish voice, and the bass of Art Davis adds terrific rhythm. Ironically, as Gibson turned from the traditional songbook, his recordings returned to the simplified form that had eluded him on earlier Elektra releases. This is a fine cap to the early-60s acoustic folk revival, and points the way that would be charted by the likes of Simon & Garfunkel, Phil Ochs and Roger McGuinn."
ONE OF THE BEST FOLK ALBUMS SELDOM HEARD
TOM MCAFEE | FT WAYNE, IN. USA | 01/06/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I DISCOVERED BOB GIBSON PREFORMING ON A TV SHOW IN 1959, AND BECAME A MAJOR FAN. AS ANY ARTIST, HE HAD A FEW CLINKERS, BUT FOR THE MOST PART ALL HIS OFFERINGS WERE GREAT. I SAW HIM LIVE IN 1963 ABOUT THE TIME THIS LP WAS RELEASED, AND HEARD HIM DO ALL THE SELECTIONS "UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL" I AM TRULY GLAD THESE ARE NOW ON CD.
TO NEW LISTENERS, DO THIS ONE, THEN THE GATE OF HORN...GREAT WAY TO BE INTRODUCED TO MR GIBSON."