The DeSotos play immersive heart and soul classic Americana, Adult-Oriented-Rock (AOR) which used to dominate in golden era American Top Forty days.
Paul Gurney, lead vocals and guitars, is from Wellington, and played in cover bands until he started writing his own material. The band formed around the mid-point of the millennium’s first decade.
Core trio is completed by Stuart McIntyre bass and vocals, and Ron Stevens keyboards and Hammond organ. Stevens is a local bogan from just up the road in Taupaki.
Drum seat tonight is American session ace Greg Tell who flavours the fills with New Orleans and Latin rhythms to decorate the clock.
The DeSotos have a big sound for an intimate venue. A solid foundation from the engine room. Country Rockers with a harder sound than the Eagles.
Not long before we hear the Petty style ringing guitar tones all over City Guy and Close Your Eyes.
The swirling Hammond organ sound is reminiscent of classic Faces behind Rod Stewart (Maggie May), along with some nice Brian Auger styled Jazz accents.
Those Jazz accents introduce Lonely Star. Gurney has picked up a Gretsch guitar and the band work this one up to grand effect.
They have three albums available on Spotify which have received favourable reviews.
A new one is close to release, and they preview a handful tonight.
Restless Heart is a ringing guitar ladened cruising down the state highway song. Two Minutes breaks into galloping Roots Americana with big drums leading.
Gurney is an impressive songwriter, but he informs us about his admiration of Canadian genius curmudgeon Neil Young. Who is Americana by definition and maybe he secretly longs to accept President Trumps offer.
Old Man and the band sound like Buffalo Springfield with nice harmonies on the refrain.
Down By the River is where Gurney indulges in epic guitar rhythm riffs to the delight of the room.
The most indulgent of a Southern R’n’B Boogie style is a cracking version of Jelly Jelly, off the classic Allman Brothers album Brothers and Sister (1976).
The band can match that with their own Greedy Men. Edgy Texas Blues rhythm riffs in the manner of a Lightnin’ Hopkins. That song may be one featured on Brokenwood Mysteries television series.
If I Were a Carpenter, and to the original Tim Hardin version, they emphasis the raga Eastern tones on the intro.
DeSotos revel in the (now) retro sound of American Rock music from ’68 to ’77. The Love Generation was fine, but the peace train failed to arrive. 1968 and America burned. Assassins found their marks. Black music got hard and militant whilst retaining a sweet edge.
A most fertile time.
A song called Why starts with an Animals keyboard intro. Gurney phrases like Tom Verlaine on Marque Moon and then launches into a brief guitar solo. Just a little.
Then he grabs an acoustic guitar, attaches a harmonica and sings one called Big Old Moon reminiscent of Spruce. Americana ballad, and it just so happen to be a big ole full moon outside.
Thoroughly entertaining show and for the closer they choose Summer Wine. Appropriate that they finish on a Sixties garage band note, although this one sounds like a British Invasion one.
The DeSotos have a well-drilled impressive Americana sound. Mostly killer, very little filler.
Rev. Orange Peel