Search - Live at Billy Bob's Texas: Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers on DVD

The Gatlin Brothers Can Still Entertain !!!

04/13/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A wonderful sampling of Gatlin music, if you are unfamiliar with this artist I would recommend this DVD as it serves up a good taste of not only the talent of this group but the ability to just plain entertain. Although some of Larry's (lead singer, songwriter and spokesman) banter between songs has been edited you get enough to appreciate the wit and charm of this man. Also worth mentioning is the fact that all the music showcases his songwriting as well as the harmony (with brothers Steve and Rudy) that was the hallmark of this trio's success.
Highlights include the the rockin' Boogie & Beethoven, the haunting The Heart, favorites like All The Gold In California, Broken Lady (grammy winner), Done Enough Dyin' Today and Night Time Magic and one that is always requested, Midnight Choir.
I might mention that this is the act that opened Billy Bob's Texas 22 years ago to a SRO crowd and this evenings crowd seems just as pleased. The DVD also includes some backstage interviews and rehersal footage........this alone is worth it for a Gatlin fan
If you are a Gatlin Brothers fan this is a great show and if not give it a try you will be pleasantly surprised as this well seasoned act just keeps on rolling."

Classic Country Music of the highest calibre

Cory B. | Arizona | 04/02/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Alabama holds the title as the world's most successful country group, but few groups anywhere can outsing the Gatlin Brothers as this DVD shows. This 2004 concert from Billy Bob's nightclub in Fort Worth shows the Texas-born trio sounding as great as they did during their peak years in the 70's and 80's. A concert video by this great group has been long overdue for many years, so this DVD is a must-have for Gatlin fans.

The Gatlin Brothers are one of those rare country acts that know how to deliver great country music without any of the exaggerated nasal twang that every male country singer has today. Larry, Steve, and Rudy create some of the greatest vocal harmony in American music, and all three of them individually are better vocalists than any country artist of the past 20 years. {The brothers were only kids when they managed to beat out the great Roy Orbison for first place in a Texas talent contest in 1959!}

At the center of it all is the one and only LARRY WAYNE GATLIN, a man with the voice of an opera singer, an ego the size of Texas, and a level of talent that overrated superstars like Garth Brooks can only dream of having. One of the most criminally underappreciated singer/songwriters of the past three decades, Gatlin's songwriting skills are in the same league as the masters: Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Jimmy Webb, and Mickey Newbury. His songwriting talent is equalled by his superb vocal ability. Even after three seperate throat surgeries in the last decade, Larry still ranks with Ronnie Milsap as THE greatest voice in country music. If there were any justice in the music business, this man should be hailed as one of the biggest stars in America!

Although melodic ballads are their main thing, Larry and the brothers open the show with the great rocker "Boogie and Beethoven" which cleverly combines rock n' roll with classical music. A decent selection of the Gatlins' classic hits are included in the concert including "Broken Lady", "All the Gold in California", "I've done enough dying today", "Night Time Magic", and the rarely-performed gem "Midnight Choir". Unfortunately "Love is just a Game" is one great hit that was left off the set list that night. The Gatlins entertain with not only great music, but good southern humor as well. Larry teases both the audience and his brothers mercilessly throughout the show.

Larry's solo performance of his masterpiece "The Heart" is the highlight of the concert and possibly the most beautiful and overlooked ballad in the history of country music. What should have been a grammy-winning, number one smash on the charts was only a minor hit for Gatlin in the 70's and is now sadly forgotten by many people. The sublime melody and poetic lyrics are enhanced by Larry's haunting, spine-chilling falsetto notes near the end of the song. Songs of this calibre are simply "too good" to make it on country radio today. The brothers end the show with the haunting religious song "Alleluia" that is a brilliant showcase for the incredible three-part harmonies that the Gatlins are known for.

The bonus feature on the DVD is nearly as good as the concert. There's an entertaining behind-the-scenes look at the brothers goofing around backstage and giving insight into their music and lives in some nice interview footage.

This is highly recommended to every Gatlin fan or anybody who thinks today's cookie-cutter country twangers are as good as country music gets. The fact that only two reviews have been posted here for this concert shows just how terribly overlooked these guys are. Buy this DVD today and experience great country music of the highest calibre!"