Reviews

Here are some *Reviewer Comments* of Gary's performances on the CD From Shadow to Shadow, the first of which is from none other than Gary Brooker, "The Commander" - vocalist, chief composer - the life and spirit of: Procol Harum:

From Shadow to Shadow
Review
Gary Brooker [UK]

The latest Palers' Project 'From Shadow to Shadow' is stuffed with gems – not tribute band homage but original treatments, sometimes off the wall – sometimes massive, but always with real imagination and musicianship.

Impassioned Italians, growling Americans, guitars that sound more like Trower than Trower – cheeky comedy, churning Salty Dogs, versatile families, until the whole becomes larger than the sum of the parts.

Gary Brooker, Surrey, Procol Harum 2004

Bert Sarraco writes "Tracks 16 – 20 tour through much of In Held 'Twas In I, throwing a curve here and there, and sometimes mimicking the original to an amazing degree. Of particular interest is Hulluuteni Syksy (better known to you and me as In The Autumn of My Madness), which features a nice, understated vocal by Saara, and the amazing Gary Shepard on all instruments. Gary, by the way, is impressive throughout the project and gets this year’s ‘I Can Do The Trower Parts’ award (the last winner was Richard Beck … the first winner was Robin Trower)."

James Dolen writes "There's so much great guitar playing that it's hard to mention names without feeling like I'm slighting the others but Gary Shepard's growling, almost furious work on Juicy John Pink is a personal favorite. On Wish Me Well he sounds like he's enjoying himself as much as Robin Trower must have."

Alan Matthews writes "A special mention should be made of those names who crop up throughout the collection. The talented Clare family members glue the whole thing together with enthusiasm, skill and thoughtfulness. And the name of Gary Shepard seems to coincide with some brilliant fuzzy Trowerisms on more than a couple of occasions (including his own version of Wish Me Well) as well as with various other instruments."

Geoff Welch says "ringmaster Roland Clare is deftly all over the place on keyboards, bass, guitar, background vocals, etc. Gary Shepard is just about as ubiquitous. Fine work gentlemen. Together they seemed to have formed the backbone of the project, which once again is skilfully programmed to create a surreal flow of music."

John Hall writes ""Ringmaster" Roland Clare and his American counterpart Gary Shepard are at the heart of this cosmopolitan ensemble blending close reworkings and startling reinterpretations of the familiar and not-so-familiar into a collection full of old friends and new surprises."

Charlie Allison says "The musicianship is high throughout and outstanding on many tracks – particular mention must go to Gary Shepard for several wonderful creations – two backing Procol's No 1 fan Al 'One-Eye' (but certainly not 'one-note'!) Edelist; also most of the In Held 'Twas In I suite, including a strangely effective Finnish vocal on Autumn of my Madness."

Dave Knight has these interesting insights on the various tracks that Gary did:

"Juicy John Pink: laid-back funky rhythm, great vocal and guitar. One Eye is now officially the new John Lee Hooker (I’ve suspected this for a while). This track rocks: again, another song that knocks spots off the original (am I allowed to say that?): my foot never stopped tapping.

The Pursuit of Happiness: a great acoustic version of this song appeared on Lost in the Looking Glass: can One-eye Edelist’s and Gary's version match the first? You bet it can! Great beat, great performance from all. If a single was chosen from this set, this should be it. I can picture Al (in the MTV video) sitting by a pool, surrounded by bikini-clad chicks. A common goal indeed.

Wish Me Well: hang on a minute, I did a version of this on Lost in the Looking Glass: how dare Gary copy me? But no that’s not Gary Shepard, it's Gary B and Robin T isn’t it? I’m glad I don’t live next door to Gary with all that bloody loud guitar racket. Great track … I’ll get my coat!"

Jill McMahon had this to say " The immensely talented Clare Family seems to appear everywhere, and that includes their very talented cats, Quibble and Quirk (my own cats are writing their review even now). And Gary Shepard with his many musical personalities backs up so many tracks I lost count, only to close out Disc Two with most amazing In Held 'Twas in I tracks accompanying Sam Cameron, John Edgar, Saara’s beautiful voice, and Stephen ‘Doc’ Wallace, finishing with a very grand Grand Finale. I could go on and on but I’m sure everyone would rather I didn’t. Everyone involved worked very hard with excellent results. This set is a collection that they can all be really proud to be a part of."

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Just coming in are *Reviewer Comments* of Gary's performances on the newly released CD "Trace of a Feeling"

A solid blues in its original form, House of Usher gives Crucifiction Lane a real ‘good ol’ boy’ country vocal treatment, along with an unexpected tease of Für Elise going right into the post-'beanstalk' build-up from In Held 'Twas in I, leading back into the second verse, only to be reprised at the end of the song – very convincing vocal and instrumental work (the guitar work on this track is stunning, and very Trower-esque), not only here, but on all of these country-tinged performances.

If you’re looking for a hard-rocking blues number, you’ll find an absolute gem three songs before the whole project ends. The Shepard Rockette Band have recorded a more blues-oriented version of All Our Dreams are Sold than we could’ve, well, dreamed of. I would go as far as to say that this just might be a direction that Gary Brooker and company might want to take the song in future performances! All of the playing is very good, and the guitar work is something that I think Trower himself could’ve been proud of having played. For me, this is one of the best tracks out of all forty-two ... and, yes – that is the legendary Rockette Morton of Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band fame!

Phenomenal version of Procol Harum's 'All Our Dreams Are Sold' which, if I'm not mistaken was written by Robin Tower on the Prodigal Stranger album 1992...you brought this song to another level. I'd bet Trower and Brooker would dig the hell out of this!!!!!

*** On February 3rd an article highlighting Gary appeared in the Applause Magazine of the Augusta Chronicle. Though misquoted - Gary never claimed his version of IHTII was better than Procol Harum's, just that it was a pretty good recreation and was very well received by those in the know - Here's the article as it appeared. ***

HOMETOWN: Newton, Mass. Moved to Myrtle Beach, S.C., in 1993; has been working in Aiken since 2001

PLAYS: Pictured with Yamaha Motif 8 keyboard and Paul Reed electric guitar, also plays bass, mandolin, acoustic and classical guitar

FIRST LIVE SHOW: "I played Like a Rolling Stone in a talent show when I was 9 in front of about 100 people at summer camp. I remember being very scared doing that. It was a four-piece pickup band. We didn't even have a name. We finished second in the show, though."

PLAYED WITH: Chill Factor, 1994 to '98; Rich Little, 1997; Steve Gatlin, 1998; The Michael Ryan Band, 1995- 98; and Lo Down Brown, September 2003 to present

FIRST REAL CONCERT: "When I was 13 years old, I saw the Pickle Brothers, which was the comedy act, then Strawberry Alarm Clock came on, then the Soul Survivors, then Buffalo Springfield, and then The Beach Boys. I had second-row seats at the Back Bay Theatre in Boston. This was all for just $6.50."

WORST LIVE MOMENT: "I did a musical in Myrtle Beach called Working, and one night I had one of those moments where you forget where you are. I cut the song a few lines early, leaving the singer in the lurch, and everyone was looking at me. How embarrassing!"

THE BEST WAY TO MOTIVATE AN AUDIENCE: "by getting them up on the dance floor, and we're very good at that."