Gary Us Bonds - Let Them Talk

  by Lisa Torem

published: 13 / 12 / 2009

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Review

Originally named Gary Anderson, this rock’n’roll artist sent out promotional recordings, at age 19, to radio stations in sleeves on which this writing appeared: “Buy U.S. Bonds.” The catchy name ‘Bonds’ stuck and a new image was forged. His first hit in 1960 was ‘New Orleans’ and he was equally known for the classic ‘Quarter to Three.’ Gary has been a singer and prolific songwriter for more than fifty years and recently blew out birthday candles at B.B. King’s venue in the big Apple’s Times Square in observation of his 70th birthday. He was nominated for Country Music Association’s ‘Songwriter of the Year’ award and, up until several years ago, was on the road for 200 shows a year. In 2004, he recorded ‘Back in 20’ which featured Bruce Springsteen and Phoebe Snow. More recently, he worked with the Road House Rockers in the United Kingdom while touring with Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings. His enthralling come-back album,‘Let Them Talk’, contains twelve high-powered cuts. ‘Whine’ is just good, old- fashioned rock’n’roll fun. Lyrics that curry favour from the era of Chuck Berry reveal: "Kicked off my work boots/Started watching the news/Got my head pounding/And my knees are weak.’ Another up-beat tune early on in the track list is: ‘Pour Me’ which has clanky guitar riffs and an exuberant shuffle. The tongue-in-cheek ‘If I Live Through This’ chronicles the early stages of a perplexing relationship. We find out immediately that "she likes the roller coaster/I like the southern drawl’ and then the plot amusingly thickens. The equally charming ‘Burden’ tells the story of an egotistical male and is set against some riveting rockabilly background. ‘Let Them Talk’ is the lead ballad which bears witness to some riveting Ray Charles-like piano and romantic lyrics such as, "I want the whole wide world to know I love you so." Bond sings with amazing heart and clarity. The other piano-driven tune, ‘She’s a Woman’ is invitingly personal and well-structured. ‘I’m Gone’ contains flashes of fierce organ alongside Bond’s hefty vocals. ‘Have Mercy’ is simply stated, but sonically a frenzied stomp. "She makes the hard look easy," Bond moans. ‘Let Them Talk’ is a fitting name. This album will inspire some fun conversation about those memorable and insatiable days of early rock’n’roll, while offering up plenty of fresh twists and turns.

Track Listing:-

1 Whine
2 Pour Me
3 If I Live Through This
4 Let Them Talk
5 Get It Together
6 Have Mercy
7 I'm Gone
8 She's A Woman
9 I Got Love
10 I Forgot How Bad My Good Woman Could Be
11 Burden
12 Shake A Hand