VIDEO PREMIERE: Vance Gilbert Croons Soulful 70s Folk on Title Track “Good Good Man” Off Forthcoming LP

“If Joni Mitchell and Richie Havens had a love child, with Rodney Dangerfield as the midwife, the results might have been something close to the great Vance Gilbert.” As the above quote from Richmond magazine suggests, Vance Gilbert defies stereotypes. It’s little wonder then that he also exceeds expectations. In this case, those two qualities go hand in hand.

“I’m black, I sing, I play an acoustic guitar, and I don’t play the blues,” Gilbert insists. That may be a broad statement, but it rings with truth.

What he does do is make memorable music, as evidenced by the 13 albums he’s released so far, as well as the mark he’s made on the folk and acoustic music scenes in general. Over the course of a prolific career that extends back to the early ’90s, he’s recorded with his good friend Ellis Paul and shared stages worldwide with Aretha Franklin, Shawn Colvin, Arlo Guthrie, the Milk Carton Kids, George Carlin, Anita Baker, the Subdudes, Paul Reiser and any number of others.

His remarkable rapport with his audiences and his free spirited performances inspired one critic to hail him as “a folkie trapped in a vaudevillian body,” with “a voice that could have been on the opera stage, a wit that could have been on a comedy stage and a songwriting talent that’s thrust him on the folk stage for decades.”

Those descriptive phrases come to full fruition on Gilbert’s upcoming album, the appropriately named Good, Good Man, out January 24, 2020. Recorded with an A-list support cast that includes bluesman and singer/songwriter Chris Smither, Al Green’s organist Stacey Wade, Tommy Malone of the Subdudes on guitars, Mike Posner on backing vocals, and Celtic harpist and vocalist Aine Minough it sums up the strengths that Gilbert’s always had at his command — that is, a gift for compelling melodies, insightful lyrics, a witty and whimsical point of view, and the ability to maintain an inherent humanity that translates to his connection with his audiences.

In short, it’s Gilbert at his very best, a set of songs that deserves to bring Gilbert the wider recognition that’s eluded him for far too long.

Today Glide is excited to premiere the title track and video for Gilbert’s upcoming album. Featuring Gilbert decked out in an array of different suits, “Good Good Man” is a slowly percolating nugget that showcases Gilbert’s smooth and calming vocals that seem to exude a sense of warmth and comfort. His musical talents are on full display as he effortlessly fuses sunny 70s folk rock, soul, and R&B for a sound that is entirely his own. For most of the video, we get a contrast of Gilbert singing and playing jazz-laden guitar solos in the park alongside the visions of what is presumably his real self and his “good” self. With the lyrics, he seems to be saying that, despite what we believe to better versions of ourselves, we need to embrace who we are. Though he has already had a long and varied career, “Good Good Man” finds Gilbert very much in his prime and still taking the kind of musical risks that have garnered him a cult following as a songwriter.  

WATCH:

Vance Gilbert – “Good Good Man” from Summer Love Films on Vimeo.

Good, Good Man is out January 24, 2020. For more music and info visit vancegilbert.com.

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2 Responses

  1. All of his fans know how fabulous he is musically. His shows are terrific as they integrate wonderful music and great humor. It is always a joy to hear him perform and I am glad you are mentioning him in your publication.

  2. Dear Vance,
    I need your help I bought myself a Turquoise ukulele on New Bury Street last Spring. I really want to get Ellis to autograph it for me. I just want him to write, “Chasing Beauty,” on it and sign it Love, Ellis Paul on it with a fat Sharpie marker.
    This is to launch my singing career I can easily write poetry and I love translations and trying to sing it in English and Spanish. I have a lot to offer the world through song. I have already studied the best like you, Ellis, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, Robert Plant, Mick Jagger, The Beatles, Carole King, James Taylor Taylor Swift,Elton John, Rod Stewart, Billy Joel,Wynonna,Reba, Arlo Guthrie, Patsy Cline,Dolly Parton….I am finally tiring Touché. I have lots of energy and can easily sing all night long when offered the chance. Do you think you could help me on this Vance?! Ellis seems to be shyer than you. I have tried to do this kind of thing since his “Say Something, album.
    I have even recently gone to Oklahoma to get up my nerve but I chickened out.
    Right now I am sitting in the Burren writing this to you in hopes you could be of help. I am already Considered Crazy so if you can’t relate. I will understand.
    Thanks, Vance
    Katherine Harvey
    I for got Freddy from Queen!!!

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