GONN with the Wind
Encyclopedia
GONN with the Wind – also known as With the Wind – is the 30th-year reunion album
by GONN
. The CD includes three bonus tracks, including a live recording of their 1990 concert on the riverfront in Keokuk, Iowa
. The final track on the CD is the original recording of "Pretty Girl" by Urban Discipline, a band that includes the son of drummer Dave Johnson.
and consists of all new material, although there is a snippet of their classic "Blackout of Gretely" at the end of "Fellow Slave". They had previously released two singles in 1966 and 1967, along with other unreleased songs in this time period; these have been collected on several retrospective albums, including a CD that was issued contemporaneously with this album, Frenzology. The first true reunion of the band occurred at a riverfront concert in 1990; one of the three bonus tracks on the CD is a performance from that concert.
Although other garage rock
bands have reformed and released albums in recent years – the Litter
and the Outsiders
as examples – GONN
is unusual in that their reputation rests essentially on a single 1966 song, "Blackout of Gretely", which is considered by many to be among the greatest tracks in the entire garage rock
genre. For instance, while acknowledging that "'Blackout of Gretely' is without doubt one of the Top 10 great punk records of all time", Greg Shaw
says of the band that it was a "typical garage band . . . [that] played a lot of Standells
, Stones
, Kinks
, etc. [covers and] were better than most bands of the day".
Besides the obscurity of the band, this album differs from many reunion albums that have been released over the years in the exuberance shown by the musicians, who are most definitely not just going through the motions. The tracks include many covers, including familiar songs by the Animals
("When I Was Young") and the Byrds
("I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better"), along with others that were originally by other mid-1960s garage-rock bands: "Fellow Slave" (originally by the Stone Cutters) and "Found Love" (originally by the Fly-by-Nites). (The original version of the latter song can be found on Highs in the Mid-Sixties, Volume 8
). The original songs include "In the Wind", written as a tribute to garage-rock fans everywhere and created especially for this album.
A 40th year reunion album is being prepared (as of mid-2007).
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by GONN
GONN
GONN is a 1960s American garage rock band from Keokuk, Iowa whose signature song is "Blackout of Gretely". Although releasing only two singles in 1966-67, the band also recorded numerous other tracks that have been collected on three retrospective albums. Following a 1989 solo album released by...
. The CD includes three bonus tracks, including a live recording of their 1990 concert on the riverfront in Keokuk, Iowa
Keokuk, Iowa
Keokuk is a city in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Iowa and one of the county seats of Lee County. The other county seat is Fort Madison. The population was 11,427 at the 2000 census. The city is named after the Sauk Chief Keokuk, who is thought to be buried in Rand Park...
. The final track on the CD is the original recording of "Pretty Girl" by Urban Discipline, a band that includes the son of drummer Dave Johnson.
Release history
This album was released in the CD format by MCCM Records in 1996, with a catalogue number #MCCM-9602; and in the LP format by CME Records, also in 1996, with a catalogue number of #KE/LP 12001.Nature of the Music
This is actually the first album released by GONNGONN
GONN is a 1960s American garage rock band from Keokuk, Iowa whose signature song is "Blackout of Gretely". Although releasing only two singles in 1966-67, the band also recorded numerous other tracks that have been collected on three retrospective albums. Following a 1989 solo album released by...
and consists of all new material, although there is a snippet of their classic "Blackout of Gretely" at the end of "Fellow Slave". They had previously released two singles in 1966 and 1967, along with other unreleased songs in this time period; these have been collected on several retrospective albums, including a CD that was issued contemporaneously with this album, Frenzology. The first true reunion of the band occurred at a riverfront concert in 1990; one of the three bonus tracks on the CD is a performance from that concert.
Although other garage rock
Garage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
bands have reformed and released albums in recent years – the Litter
The Litter
The Litter was an American psychedelic and garage rock band, formed in 1966 in Minneapolis. They are best remembered for their 1967 debut single "Action Woman." The group recorded an album in 1972 but would re-unite in 1990, 1992, and again in 1998, when they recorded a new studio album consisting...
and the Outsiders
The Outsiders (American band)
The Outsiders was an American rock and roll band from Cleveland, Ohio, that was founded and led by guitarist Tom King. The band is best known for its Top 5 hit "Time Won't Let Me" in early 1966, which peaked at #5 in the US, but the band had three other hit singles in 1966 and released a total of...
as examples – GONN
GONN
GONN is a 1960s American garage rock band from Keokuk, Iowa whose signature song is "Blackout of Gretely". Although releasing only two singles in 1966-67, the band also recorded numerous other tracks that have been collected on three retrospective albums. Following a 1989 solo album released by...
is unusual in that their reputation rests essentially on a single 1966 song, "Blackout of Gretely", which is considered by many to be among the greatest tracks in the entire garage rock
Garage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
genre. For instance, while acknowledging that "'Blackout of Gretely' is without doubt one of the Top 10 great punk records of all time", Greg Shaw
Greg Shaw
Greg Shaw was a Los Angeles-based fanzine publisher, music historian and record label owner. He grew up near San Francisco, California.It was as a young teenager that he started writing about rock and roll music...
says of the band that it was a "typical garage band . . . [that] played a lot of Standells
The Standells
The Standells are a garage rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in the 1960s, who have been referred to as the "Godfathers of Punk Rock", and are best known for their 1966 hit "Dirty Water," now the anthem of several Boston sports teams.-The 1960s:...
, Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
, Kinks
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
, etc. [covers and] were better than most bands of the day".
Besides the obscurity of the band, this album differs from many reunion albums that have been released over the years in the exuberance shown by the musicians, who are most definitely not just going through the motions. The tracks include many covers, including familiar songs by the Animals
The Animals
The Animals were an English music group of the 1960s formed in Newcastle upon Tyne during the early part of the decade, and later relocated to London...
("When I Was Young") and the Byrds
The Byrds
The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member until the group disbanded in 1973...
("I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better"), along with others that were originally by other mid-1960s garage-rock bands: "Fellow Slave" (originally by the Stone Cutters) and "Found Love" (originally by the Fly-by-Nites). (The original version of the latter song can be found on Highs in the Mid-Sixties, Volume 8
Highs in the Mid-Sixties, Volume 8
Highs in the Mid-Sixties, Volume 8 is a compilation album in the Highs in the Mid-Sixties series, featuring recordings that were released in the South excluding Texas...
). The original songs include "In the Wind", written as a tribute to garage-rock fans everywhere and created especially for this album.
A 40th year reunion album is being prepared (as of mid-2007).
Liner Notes
Besides the extensive listing of credits, each of the bandmembers has their own comments on a page in the CD booklet, along with "then and now" photos and comments on the songs on the new album. The heartfelt joy at being able to record an album together after so many years is palpable in all of their entries:- Rex Garrett – We had the 1990 reunion under our belt. I figured if we could pull it off live we can damn sure do it in the studio! Boy was I in for a rude awakening. You hear absolutely everything at 'The Studio', nothing gets by! It's not "Blackout of Gretely" with two mikes any more!
- Gary Stepp – When we decided to do the 'Rollin' on the River' reunion in 1990, I felt a little nervous about it because I hadn't played that kind of music for over 15 years. But I was really excited when we all got together to practice that first time because it came together so well. When we were playing, it was like all the years disappeared and we were back in 1966 again.
- Craig Moore – After reissuing "Blackout [of Gretely]" twice in response to demand, I thought it was high time the guys got directly involved in a GONNGONNGONN is a 1960s American garage rock band from Keokuk, Iowa whose signature song is "Blackout of Gretely". Although releasing only two singles in 1966-67, the band also recorded numerous other tracks that have been collected on three retrospective albums. Following a 1989 solo album released by...
project. The Frenzology CD needed a book with their words in it, not just mine, and by the time I got 'em all on board with that I thought, 'hell, why not do a new album?' I think they thought I was 1/2 nuts, except Gary who wrote back at once in support of the idea, but in short order we were all ready to do it (except Brent [Colvin] who sends his best wishes but couldn't join us this time).
- Gerry Gable – It had been 25 years since I played keyboards in public or on a session, and I hadn't really sung since 1986. . . . After the first hour or so, though, it was like we had never stopped playing together. Imagine putting out 10½ songs in 2 days with almost no rehearsal including new originals and songs we'd never played together before!
- Dave Johnson – It was magic in the studio. Once again Craig pushed us beyond what we thought we were capable of and made us better. The new recordings made me say 'wow, I didn't realize we were that damn good'. . . . I want to thank the members of the band for being my friends and for taking on that 14-year-old in 1967.
- Larry LaMaster – I never once thought that the 1990 reunion would be the end of it. It was more of an 'ice-breaker' getting everyone talking again and putting any ghosts from the past behind us. I'm glad to see Gary a part of the group again. The 30th Anniversary is/was a crazy idea, but that's probably its appeal. To think that 6 old fat guys can make some good music is pretty cool.
Track listing
- "When I Was Young" (Burdon/Weider/Briggs/McCullough/Jenkins), 3:22
- "I'm Gonna Make You Mine" (Bayer/Carr/D'Errico), 2:48
- "Fellow Slave" (Walt Stewart), 2:20
- "Cry to Me" (Bert Russell), 3:55
- "Pretty Girl" (Craig Moore), 4:30
- "I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better" (Gene ClarkGene ClarkGene Clark, born Harold Eugene Clark was an American singer-songwriter, and one of the founding members of the folk-rock group The Byrds....
), 2:37 - "Stick Around" (Dickie Douglas), 2:21; With Dennis Chamberlain (of the Gallows)
- "I Just Want to Make Love to You" (Willie DixonWillie DixonWilliam James "Willie" Dixon was an American blues musician, vocalist, songwriter, arranger and record producer. A Grammy Award winner who was proficient on both the Upright bass and the guitar, as well as his own singing voice, Dixon is arguably best known as one of the most prolific songwriters...
), 4:20 - "Prophecy, The" (Gerry Gabel), 3:54
- "Careful Man" (Jim CroceJim CroceJames Joseph "Jim" Croce January 10, 1943 – September 20, 1973 was an American singer-songwriter. Between 1966 and 1973, Croce released five studio albums and 11 singles...
), 2:12 - "Found Love" (Levinson), 2:56
- "Head in the Clouds" (Craig Moore), 3:24
- "The Wind" (Rex Garrett/Craig Moore), 6:01
- CD bonus track: "Hamm's Beer/Introductions" (Arr. by GONNGONNGONN is a 1960s American garage rock band from Keokuk, Iowa whose signature song is "Blackout of Gretely". Although releasing only two singles in 1966-67, the band also recorded numerous other tracks that have been collected on three retrospective albums. Following a 1989 solo album released by...
), 4:28 - CD bonus track: "Come on Up" (Felix CavaliereFelix CavaliereFelix Cavaliere is an American songwriter, singer, music producer, and musician.Although he was a member of Joey Dee and His Starlighters best known for their hit "Peppermint Twist", he is best known for his association with The Young Rascals during the 1960s. The other members of The Rascals...
), 3:24 - CD bonus track: "Alabama Song" (Kurt WeillKurt WeillKurt Julian Weill was a German-Jewish composer, active from the 1920s, and in his later years in the United States. He was a leading composer for the stage who was best known for his fruitful collaborations with Bertolt Brecht...
/Bertolt BrechtBertolt BrechtBertolt Brecht was a German poet, playwright, and theatre director.An influential theatre practitioner of the 20th century, Brecht made equally significant contributions to dramaturgy and theatrical production, the latter particularly through the seismic impact of the tours undertaken by the...
; arr. by the DoorsThe DoorsThe Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger...
), 3:05; Live - CD bonus/hidden track: "Pretty Girl" (Craig Moore), 4:22; by Urban Discipline