Livin' Life This Way
DEBUT ALBUM FROM SPOT OF BLUE
Micah Issitt Rainmaker Promotions 2005
Spot of Blue may have originated in the windy plains of Texas, but the
sound is more difficult to place. Gary Hankins,' the songwriter and guitar
player for Spot of Blue, takes his inspiration from a life spent traveling
the world and sampling the rich diversity of American culture. His music
defies conventional labels being derived from, but not indicative of, a
wide variety of styles. Spot of Blue must be experienced to be understood.
"Livin' Life This Way" is the debut album for Hankins and Spot of Blue.
Hankins' lyrics are thoughtful meditations, delivered with all the
attitude of Elvis and the poignant emotion of Jim Croce. His guitar rolls
like a Texas tumbleweed across his stories, portraying the artist as a
part of his surroundings.
Accompanying Hankins for Spot of Blue is the brilliant Tommy Nash on lead
guitar. Nash makes his guitar howl like a coyote on "Just a Cowboy," and
sways with the sounds of the surf in "Amber." Rolling bass lines are
provided by Aden Bubeck, a veteran of electric and stand-up bass who
understands the subtleties of his work and hums perfectly with Nash's
guitar and Hankins' lyrics. Two drummers, Jordan Richardson and Joey
Carter, lent their talents to Hankins' songs, providing rhythm for his
countryesque ballads and ambience for his more emotional torch songs.
In addition to the main body, Hankins is also fortunate to have the
assistance from Douglas Edward who plays haunting strings on "It Calls Your
Name," and adds subtle string accompaniment to several other songs. For
his empathic plea, "Spot of Blue," Hankins' breathy voice is joined by the
nearly spiritual tones of his backup singers; Ace Crayton, Katelyn
Patterson, and Julie Temple.
Each song on Livin' Life This Way is taken from a moment of personal
resonance within Hankins' life. "When They Arrange the Flowers," talks
about the floral arranger, designing bouquets for Valentines Day or for a
funeral, detached from the hopes of the person who gets the flowers. "It
Calls Your Name," is an ode to lost love on the sound of the wind.
"I just see life from many perspectives,"
Says Hankins, "and I would write a song about it, but relate it to
people's lives."
Hankins' life with his many unusual experiences gives him the foundation
for his songs but the final sound is the combination of Hankins'
inspiration and the personal, emotional contribution of his band.
"Everyone in the band puts a part of themselves into the songs." He says.
Spot of Blue has a sound that seems to follow the mind of its creator:
some songs bounce with a joyful rhythm while others tug at the emotions of
the listener drawing them into a lonely embrace or the melancholy shine of
a tear drop. Hankins talks about love, death, and life with a wisdom and
empathy that comes from his experience.
"It just comes from within." He says. "I will hear something or see
something and I create the story in my mind." Hankins is a story teller
and with Spot of Blue, people are finally beginning to hear his story.
As "Livin' Life This Way" is released, Hankins and his band will attract
those who relate to his lonely lyrics and those who hear the drama of cult
cinema in the band's more haunting compositions and the optimism of the
California sun in their more flamboyant songs.
Throughout, Hankins' lyrics seem to carry an upbeat message about love and
togetherness that gives the entire album, even the darker tunes, a vaguely
comforting resonance. Hankins' message is consistently one of love, as he
says in Spot of Blue: "Why can't we all live together. take this world. and make it better."
