Search - Gerry Beckley :: Van Go Gan

A Simply Surprising, Mermerizing Kiss of Life for sure!

Nancy Holtz | Hastings, PA United States | 05/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hi ~~ I was pleasantly surprised to hear these songs. Gerry's Vocals, Lyrics & Music blend nicely, he also adds a touch of reality with added voices and sound effects. Each song kinda has it's own stye. Emma is a sincere lighthearted song, that makes you wonder about her. Van Go Gan is a more upbeat and possitive song, House of Cards is short and to the point. You will be carried off on a Visual pleasure with Sunrise, Sunset, Gerry Shines Nicely on this. Goodbye Hwy, another refreshing, upbeat song, I love the simplicity of the accoustics and lyrics, and the way Gerry's voice compliments this. One Day's Duning, is another one that catches your curiousity. Only a Kid at Heart, spells out some nice magic for sure. Playing God is on the different side, and it is neat to find out that Gerry's son Joe's baby voice has been added to the begining of this.International has an neat message. What happened is a surprising all accoustic song that has a setting all it's own. Ahh next up is what I call Gerry's Mature version of the song he wrote when he was 16 yrs old, I Need You, what can I say, this version of this is simply mesmerizing, I was sooo surprised to see that Timothy B Schmit (Eagles) did backing vocals on this ~ WOW, I love the nice touch the Sax part adds to this too. Now Sue also has a Unique style, You will be able to notice a familiarity to it. Kiss of Life is a Gem that will touch all of your Senses... it is filled with Wonder & Magic, and I can listen to it a 100 times in a row and still not get enough of it. :) Hard to Sleep is a nice way to wrap this all up. I will leave the additional tracks a surprise for you. I would highly recommend this CD to anyone, I know I have enjoyed hitting the replay button on mine! Nancy :)"

Standout

Music fan | California | 05/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Van Go Gan is excellent. I'd been waiting many months to recieve this cd and was thrilled and surprised once it arrived. Every song is strong in it's arrangements and vocals. In my estimation every track is interesting but with "Kiss Life", "International", "Sunrise Sunset" being standouts. This cd also contains a unique spin on "Now Sue" and never get tired of hearing "I Need You" which has interesting harmonies and background vocals. As one reviewer stated some songs are simple and uncluttered, it's just the vocals and a guitar done acoustically. This cd is always in rotation in my player and highly recommended."

Melodious pop music at it's very, very best

Tafkam | Sussex, UK | 07/05/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a huge America fan so it's kind of hard to be too objective about this album but let me start off by saying that this is a really good CD. Its melodious pop music at it's very, very best. If you like America you'll love this. Great harmonies throughout with the likes of Eagles bassist Timothy B. Schmit, Brian Wilson band member Jeffrey Foskett and the sadly missed, late, great Carl Wilson helping out. I guess it can't fail with those guys in the studio. Song writing of the highest calibre with beautiful vocals by Gerry Beckley who still sounds as fresh as ever. From the opening cut "Emma" to the final "Hard To Sleep" it's a joy to listen to this well crafted music being played by a musician who clearly knows his business. The re-worked version of America's "I Need You" (written by Gerry when he was only sixteen) has a great saxophone break and is a stand out track, as is the stunningly beautiful intro to "Sunrise Sunset". Another beauty is "Goodbye Highway" and the harmonies at the end of "Now Sue" are exquisite. A good CD well worth buying in my humble opinion."