Watching Dave Gross mature as a guitarist is really something. When he was only nineteen Dave had his own power trio and was a finalist in our own Battle of The Bands. Now at the old age of 21, Dave has released his second album. It seems that there is nothing he can't do.

Dave opens his new album "Take The Gamble" on Swing Nation Records with Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown's "She Walks Right In", and in doing so, he pays homage to "Gatemouth" and indirectly to all his guitar influences. On the next several tracks Dave's musical sensibilities begin to get defined. He can write his own material while still sounding true to "swing" or "blues". "I forgot to leave you baby, and now it's too late, I'm stuck here pretty mama, with a Mess on My Plate". Dave has authored nine of the thirteen songs included here.

"I'm Leavin' Baby, working my way back home", Dave sings as Dona Oxford's piano solo shows the maturity that she has reached. Dave's vocal is outstanding. Producer and 2nd guitarist Duke Robillard plays on only three cuts on this album and it's difficult to tell them apart. Can you tell me on this track when Duke is playing? Dave Gross will carry the torch.

"I'm So Hungry Blues", the guitar lines are awesome as Dave sings "I'm so hungry for something baby even though I've already ate". Al Basile's cornet is on the money. Doug "Mr Low" James', sax is perfect, and we get to hear one of the best tunes on the album.

On "Swingin' On All Six", Doug James sax opens it up, as Dennis Gruenling takes one of his world-class harmonica solos. Dennis' tone is perfect, as is Dave's guitar solo. The whole band cooks.

"Walkin In A Daze", was authored by "Hot Lips" Page, reconstructive surgery was performed by "Mr Low" and Dave Gross. One of the albums best tracks. Al Basile is killer.

"That's All You Get" is Dave Gross's blues. Possibly the best track on the album, not swing but it works well. "I hate to break the news, but that's all you get". The Albert Collins type guitar solo here is biting, showing its teeth. "You Aint Playin' Me No More" follows.

"I Know Your Wig Is Gone", is the T-Bone walker classic. "After Your Gone", is the Henry Creamer/Turner Layton penned classic and Duke handles the rhythm as Dave delivers his best vocal performance on the album. I first mistook the guitar solo here as belonging to Duke but its Dave too!

"Movin' On Down The Line" is another Dave Gross blues, and seems to invite airplay. Dona Oxford's piano is inspired. Dave Gross guitar solo is brilliant. "Once Had A Girl", is country and so is the guitar solo, here his guitar sounds like Danny Gatton. "Make Things Right", is a deeper blues and closes the album. These last three tunes show the sides of Dave Gross that the other tunes don't show.

Bass is played by Arthur Neilson and AJ Hager while the drums are provided by Matt Mousseau and Mark Teixeira. This album will hold up to repeatedly listening as each time I play it I'm struck by the enormous talents that are Dave Gross. It is one of the years best. Check out Dave at his website www.davegrossband.com

Richard Ludmerer
Director, The New York Blues & Jazz Society
ricdale2@yahoo.com