GAMMA 3 HTF '82 DJ LP RONNIE MONTROSE METAL AOR GUITAR

GAMMA GAMMA 3 LPCategory / Style / Moods: Rock Arena Rock11.77 / 2007-07-16 S asocc1982 ELEKTRA US LPTITLE: GAMMA 3ARTIST: GAMMACONDITIONVINYL: VG+ OR BETTERCOVER: VG OR BETTER GOLD PROMO STAMP ON BACKClick here for info on grading and abbreviationsORIGINAL PRESS RARE WHITE LABEL PROMO!Click the pix for a better view TRACKS: Disc: 11.What's Gone Is GoneFroom, Montrose, Stahl 5:302.Right the First TimeFroom, Montrose, Stahl 3:473.Moving ViolationCarmassi, Froom, Montrose ... 3:364.Mobile DevotionFroom, Montrose 6:345.StrangerFroom, Stahl 3:006.Condition YellowCarmassi, Froom, Montrose 4:087.Modern GirlFroom, Montrose 3:358.No Way OutFroom, Montrose, Stahl 4:059.Third DegreeFroom, Montrose, Stahl 4:37Review by Whitney Z. Gomes The third and final Gamma kicks off with "What's Gone Is Gone," a grand bit of science friction awash in keys and vocoder. When axe-god Ronnie Montrose's solo finally kicks in, the guitar serves as embellishment rather than a foundation. Such is the paradox of Gamma, a band with proven chops to spare, trying to be cutting edge without cutting loose. The end result is some kind of fluff-prog (sometimes akin to Grace Under Pressure). Of course the production and drums are totally '80s, while still avoiding the shrillness that taints so many pieces from this period. No traces of new romantic chilliness or bare-bones heaviness hide here, but the nebulous in-between yields some killer cuts, such as left-field single "Right the First Time" and the enjoyable wavy confection "Modern Girl." Cleverness like the Morse code spelling out of "Stranger" and the wild synths in "Mobile Devotion" (featuring some red-hot licks that prove Montrose still has the fire) also make Gamma 3 a good listen. This record doesn't meander as aimlessly as many art projects, but doesn't send the hooks as fast and furious as perfect pop either. Each song has classy elements, making up for when the overall alchemy doesn't quite work, and the aforementioned songs are worth the aural commitment anyway. Biography by Whitney Z. Gomes Although more exploratory and ambitious than his eponymous first band, incendiary guitar genius Ronnie Montrose's second group, Gamma, forever dwelt in the shadow of the landmark Montrose debut. In the early '70s, Ronnie Montrose left Colorado for California, and became known for his session work with Van Morrison and Boz Scaggs. He then rose to fame as Edgar Winter's axeman on the legendary They Only Come Out at Night. Wanting to call his own shots, Ronnie Montrose turned down an invitation from Mott the Hoople and brought together Montrose. The self-titled debut remains a metal masterpiece, featuring a young Sammy Hagar belting out sizzlers like "Bad Motor Scooter," "Space Station No. 5," and "Rock the Nation." Hardly an overnight success,Montrose subtly set a standard that many hard rock bands, particularly Van Halen, would strive to achieve. But Hagar was fired after the disjointed sophomore effort, Paper Money, and the band slowly disintegrated while still squeezing out two more meandering LPs. Open Fire was credited solely to Ronnie Montrose, and the guitarist became a hired gun again (playing the "agony of defeat" solo in the Wide World of Sports theme). He then formed Gamma in 1979, reuniting with latter-Montrose personnel Jim Alcivar (keyboards) and pre-Night Ranger Alan Fitzgerald (bass), plus Davey Pattison on vocals and Skip Gillette on drums. Numerous lineup changes began immediately with the first record, the imaginatively titled Gamma 1, as another old bandmate, Denny Carmassi, replaced Gillette and Glenn Letsch took over bass duties. "Voyager" off Gamma 2 made some waves, and the band toured America and Europe. Mitchell Froom (late of Bruzer) replaced Alcivar for the keyboard-focused Gamma 3, another intriguing record, with "No Destination" and especially "Right the First Time" garnering some FM airtime. Ronnie Montrose abruptly ditched the band mid-tour with Foreigner. Fed up with label pressures, the guitarist now keeps a low profile, periodically recording or producing, though he reunited the original Montrose briefly. Carmassi joined Heart in time for the Wilson sisters' '80s revival, and also drummed for Coverdale/Page. This exquisite piece of retro music history is a vinyl sound recording (not a CD). Please visit the A Sound Deal store for similar items and information on grading and shipping. Add me to your favorites for red hot sales bulletins and sneak previews of upcoming products. Combine Items to Save $$$! Click here to check the store for more!©A Sound Deal