Search - Spot of Blue :: Livin' Life This Way

DEBUT ALBUM FROM SPOT OF BLUE: LIVIN' LIFE THIS WAY Spot of Blue may have originated in the windy plains of Texas, but the sound is more difficult to place. Gary Hankins,' the songwriter and guitar player for Spot of Blue, takes his inspiration from a life spent traveling the world and sampling the rich diversity of American culture. His music defies conventional labels being derived from, but not indicative of, a wide variety of styles. Spot of Blue must be experienced to be understood. "Livin' Life This Way" is the debut album for Hankins and Spot of Blue. Hankins' lyrics are thoughtful meditations, delivered with all the attitude of Elvis and the poignant emotion of Jim Croce. His guitar rolls like a Texas tumbleweed across his stories, portraying the artist as a part of his surroundings. Accompanying Hankins for Spot of Blue is the brilliant Tommy Nash on lead guitar. Nash makes his guitar howl like a coyote on "Just a Cowboy," and sways with the sounds of the surf in "Amber." Rolling bass lines are provided by Aden Bubeck, a veteran of electric and stand-up bass who understands the subtleties of his work and hums perfectly with Nash's guitar and Hankins' lyrics. Two drummers, Jordan Richardson and Joey Carter, lent their talents to Hankins' songs, providing rhythm for his countryesque ballads and ambience for his more emotional torch songs. In addition to the main body, Hankins is also fortunate to have the assistance Douglas Edwards who plays haunting strings on "It Calls Your Name," and adds subtle string accompaniment to several other songs. For his empathic plea, "Spot of Blue," Hankins' breathy voice is joined by the nearly spiritual tones of his backup singers; Ace Crayton, Katelyn Patterson, and Julie Temple. Each song on Livin' Life This Way is taken from a moment of personal resonance within Hankins' life. "When They Arrange the Flowers," talks about the floral arranger, designing bouquets for Valentines Day or for a funeral, detached from the hopes of the person who gets the flowers. "It Calls Your Name," is an ode to the sound of the wind as it flows through the windows of his father's house. "I might see cows out in the field," Says Hankins, "and I would write a song about it, but relate it to people's lives." Hankins' life with his many unusual experiences gives him the foundation for his songs but the final sound is the combination of Hankins' inspiration and the personal, emotional contribution of his band. "Everyone in the band puts a part of themselves into the songs." He says. Spot of Blue has a sound that seems to follow the mind of its creator: some songs bounce with a joyful rhythm while others tug at the emotions of the listener drawing them into a lonely embrace or the melancholy shine of a tear drop. Hankins talks about love, death, and life with a wisdom and empathy that comes from his experience. "It just comes from within." He says. "I will hear something or see something and I create the story in my mind." Hankins is a storyteller and with Spot of Blue, people are finally beginning to hear his story. As "Livin' Life This Way" is released, Hankins and his band will attract those who relate to his lonely lyrics and those who hear the drama of cult cinema in the band's more haunting compositions and the optimism of the California sun in their more flamboyant songs. Throughout, Hankins' lyrics seem to carry an upbeat message about love and togetherness that gives the entire album, even the darker tunes, a vaguely comforting resonance. Hankins' message is consistently one of love, as he says in Spot of Blue: "Cant we all just live together. take this world. and make it better."