Danny Gatton "Sleepwalk" Melody & Solo .mov

Danny Gatton "Sleepwalk showing both melody and solo. I know this was requested by several viewers. I have to agree. I had lost this video tape and found it yesterday. There is 90+ minutes of material. I will be adding nuggets from this tape over the next few months. Thanks!
Robert K

[@Southernguitar74]

When your maple fretboard looks like rosewood, you've been practicing. Long live Danny Gatton. The greatest who ever played a note.

[@kurtromkey1536]

THE HUMBLER!

[@RCHeath]

He didn’t practice. He played live so many days of the week that his gigs became his practice.

[@RCHeath]

And yet he didn’t. He played live 5+ days a week locally. His practice was literally done live without excuses. He never practiced and almost nobody believes that.

[@daviddimbleby6725]

I think his neck was dark like that because of his love for cars and engines , black grease on fingers is hard to completely get of , years of that I think, rip Danny boy ❤

[@OneSupreme08]

Amazing flow between harmony and disharmony. I feel there are certain chords in between which are not feeling right but that makes main harmony and melody even more deeply haunting.

[@TonyMowatt]

Have to wait another 400 years because Danny was the 500 year flood plain of guitar playing.

[@brianflemingmusic9884]

No human being has ever had as much control of an electric guitar as this man

[@Roy-xe9is]

none ever

[@Psychodermia]

As easy as speaking. Dang, he was good. 👽🤘

[@jamestonguet1737]

His Mentor Roy Buchannan did ....

[@oopavio]

I guess Jeff Beck had.

[@bshoffmartin]

Well, I have watched this video many, many times. I am a 6-3, 300lb solid man but it never fails to breach me broken and open like a shotgun, leaving me both hollow, and full, feeling, thinking, happy and sad. Happy to have ears to hear Danny. He was incredibly and immensely talented as a musician. And sad, because it also seems that he was so deeply troubled, and afflicted, to the point of taking his own life. We love Danny, but do we, as a collective society, love him more now that he is gone? We need to better love the living, too. It could save a struggling veteran, our sons and daughters, our neighbor or a coworker. The beauty and tragedy of Danny leaves me foremost with the desire to love better. Dont know about you...

[@Margar02]

Thank you. Kindness really goes a long way, and it seems too many never learned it, don't believe it, or have walked away from it. We need not think alike to love alike.

[@alancanham2956]

Beautiful comment music can bring us all together and this is just beyond compare.

[@dd52161]

shut up

[@truthdookie]

Nicely said.

[@jamesjackovich5886]

One of the greatest American musicians

[@chiplovitt8538]

Amazing! As the great Les Paul once said, "Danny Gatton can play everyone's licks. No one can play Danny's licks." True story...I caught Les Paul at many of his Monday nite gigs at Iridium in NYC, and I asked him about the quote...and Les, who was a good friend to Danny, said Danny had to have been one of the best guitar players he'd ever encountered...Awesome...

[@williamgreenfield9991]

Pretty sure Les is also a fan of Tommy Emmanuel.

[@kellysmith3628]

When the great Les Paul says your great, Your Great I wish I could have seen him live.

[@richardglns]

Very bad

[@calvinhobbes5686]

My God! How come so few of us have heard of this guy? He does the impossible effortlessly!

[@richardglns]

Just listen jeff Beck

[@tato4612]

I just discovered this guy. Jesus i think this is the best guitar playing I've ever heard.

[@davidwalker5054]

Just shows there is no template of what a guitar god should look like. Nobody looks less like a virtuoso than Danny. He looks and Dresses like a lumberjack. But put a guitar in his hands. Jeeeesus

[@vanshipman]

I’ve been playing for close to 40 years and have heard them all, even met and played with a few of them. Nobody has ever impressed me more than Danny. When we lost him it broke my heart, I can’t imagine him getting much better, but would love to have him around to know. R.I.P. Danny “The Humbler” Gatton You are missed🙏🎸

[@mrfester42]

Guitarists will know what I mean when I say that one of the many amazing things about Gatton is that it is obvious that whatever idea popped into his head at any given moment about some specific feel or sound or technique or style he wanted to play to fit into what he just played a second ago he could do it immediately and flawlessly and it would just flow. It's absolute perfection in improvisational skills. If he could think it, he could play it instantly. It's what we all aim for and some get very close but he was the only one who achieved it. For us guitarists it's like watching someone leap off a cliff and actually changing directions in mid air before they hit the ground. It's impossible but he could actually do it. There are any number of unbelievably great guitarists but there really is no one else I have EVER heard who could do this. Not a single one.

[@rustyme1122]

And do it so cleanly. Every note rings out every time.

[@davidwalker5054]

Django could play anything that came into his head like danny

[@claytongillaspy8847]

To me Danny has no equals nobody could do what he could do nobody on the spot improv is astonishing to me he is not just the greatest unknown guitarist but simply the best guitarist the world gas ever known period he’s a genius he’s the Rembrandt of the guitar world there is only one guy alive today who maybye cones close or possibly equal in some areas like picking and double and triple stops and that’s the great Scotty anderson I would have liked to seen Danny & Scotty play together what a experience that would be!

[@claytongillaspy8847]

@@davidwalker5054 yes django was another great guitarist different style from Danny but just as talented no doubt I just prefer Danny’s style especially live where he’s absolutely genius I doubt will ever see somebody again with the talent that Danny had

[@jerrygibson2689]

It all ways fascinates me to here how great the more famous guitarist are and were, having heard most of them, Danny Gatton took a back seat to no one.

[@TJ_Silvester]

An unequalled master in flow state. There is nothing I can do but shed tears of joy.

[@jeffdubuque5699]

the guy play`s more chords and licks in one song then most have on entire records.

[@mynamedoesntmatter8652]

Danny let the song have the mood and the mood have the song, and played that. Kinda turns me inside out and, when it’s time - without consulting a clock - brings me back again. Goosebumps, Danny. Goosebumps.

[@incidentalist]

Complete mastery of the fret board, playing the melody in different octaves where he left off at the previous note, what a God! 2:52 - 3:21 absolutely gorgeous! I mean the whole thing is, but THAT run.

[@fougee1]

Been playing forever and would give anything to be 1% as good as Danny. My brother took his own life and I never can forgive him! Please people talk get help Stop and think of the hurt of the ones that love you and care! Rip Brother and Danny!

[@gearyheidinewaccount3237]

Sorry about your brother

[@cameronwallace6618]

Danny's note selection is perfect. An astoundingly gifted musician.

[@marty6970]

From the time I discovered him decades ago(and I was late to the table then), I have been and still am completely ASTOUNDED to the core every time I hear him play…I mean his musicality, and deep expressiveness is still unmatched and unparalleled to this day…and I say that not in a competitive sense, but just by his sheer expressive emotional and visceral virtuosity….his playing is like an open filter of Godliness, and there is nary a hint of pomp or contrived rehearsed to death shred, it just all him being him because he gets out of his own way and becomes the perfect musical and divine conduit. ….and there’s life lessons in every 8 bars!! I saw him double bill with the Hellecasters (killer union as well) in ‘93 in NYC, and it stll is one of the BEST performances I’ve ever seen…his band was amazing, and I mean every single member…got to meet and chat and get a photo with him after the show…sweetest, most humble down to earth man…loved his cars…was totally present, AND signed my ‘72 Tele Thinline guitar…one of the most, if not the most memorable musical moments in my life! God Bless you Danny!!! You continue to and perpetually inspire brother! I hope you have been truly at peace and jammin’ with the best;)

[@blewzguitar]

I cannot believe this level of talent. So expressive. It's like he is talking through the guitar. WOW!!!!

[@FordyHunt]

Sometimes you feel awe when you see a skyscraper or a tornado or something, but I feel it every time I watch this guy play. What a beautiful genius.

[@django1]

HOLY.FREAKING.SHIT. Beyond talent. Actual genius. Never another like him. period.

[@IdiotsGoneWild]

Django Reinhardt I'm saying the exact same after stumbling upon....WOW!

[@davidwalker5054]

Your namesake can strum a couple of chords

[@teslastele]

This guy was beyond an amazing guitarist... this was someone with a deep understanding of music. He was writing new music on top of new music on top of themes in the melody of sleepwalk, seemingly on the fly. To call him a great guitarist is to sell him short.

[@andrewmacginitie1301]

well said!

[@ChristophHenrici]

teslastele agree absolutely, he combines unique musicality with otherworldly guitar technique

[@teslastele]

like a modern Bach ;)

[@mudwiser1391]

yeah he had something built in, there was a thought process in what he was playing, but it was beyond instinct. Ridiculously great.

[@carlosmatos9848]

Amazing guitarist indeed, it's almost as if he's the type of musician that can take the sounds he hears in his head and translate them directly to the fretboard.

[@ginrogbel]

Absolutely the most incredible, dreamy instrumental composition of the modern era....❤️

[@wallyb55232]

mamabelle especially the solo at the end, he offers himself completely

[@MeAndTheBoys_]

Total mastery of the instrument,chordal and soloing. There will never be another one like Danny Gatton. You the man,Danny.

[@matthewchunk3689]

He shot himself. He was probably sad or something. Our loss.

[@PaulWisecarver]

What can I say,..He threw in every style of playing guitar all in one song,..I think even Jeff Beck would tip his hat at this performance. RIP Danny

[@danielbolger007]

Good Lord. Supernaturally astonishing. Greatest guitar player in the solar system.

[@TroubleinZION]

Greatest tele player of all time! I love this man's music.

[@ssavia]

Brilliant. The most brilliant guitarist I ever had the privilege of seeing live, many times. He was a super nice guy, salt of the earth. I really miss him.

[@dingoswamphead]

Never met him, but me too. What a sad waste.

[@dennissweeney6774]

Was lucky to have met him what a nice guy they say only the good die young maybe?

[@georgedavis8412]

Yep. All of that.

[@circlecloud11]

That transition at 4:22 just sends goosebumps up my arms!

[@BarryCatt]

Oh yes! I see what you mean😳

[@Corporations8MyBaby]

He wanted us to watch this over and over again forever. He knew he won a gold medal.

[@mattmazzara1]

Danny Gatton is by far my favorite guitarist! He could play in any setting or genre!

[@joelfrenchmusic]

Such an amazing performance, just another night for Danny

[@bigtsshackfestival9563]

I wish I could somehow travel back in time and get Danny the help he needed. Such a cool ass humble bad ass.

[@taylordiclemente5163]

Pay it forward and share the music.

[@csablan3829]

What were you gonna do? Tell him to play shittier music? Or tell him not to take a shotgun to the face?? How are you helping? And how were you gonna GET him this help he needed? Walk us through this.

[@taylordiclemente5163]

@@csablan3829 be nice. This person was expressing sympathy for the deceased.

[@lashlarue7924]

heroin's a real bummer, man.

[@Wilburnator]

@@csablan3829 Douchiest comment ever.

[@lua5dot1]

I revisit this video so often, what an incredible performance. God bless whoever recorded this and uploaded it.

[@Mskenergy]

To all the young generations. Don’t let Danny’s music die

[@Mskenergy]

He’s one of the reasons I got a guitar back in 94 rip and thank u for all that you gave us danny and some guitar killer lessons on online too, shame I never got to see him live

[@TheDCGuitar13]

Best guitarist to ever come out of DC. When you take a second to see who’s come out of dc, you’ll truly understand just how gifted Danny was.

[@bradrumph8031]

So many gifted artists coming out of DC, too many to count. Danny, to me as a local back then, was like Scotty Stoneman, on the fiddle. Nobody could compete with them; they were in a class all by themselves. And nobody knew who they were outside of DC, it seemed to us.

[@TheDCGuitar13]

@@bradrumph8031 Danny was the baddest man in the planet in the golden age of guitarists and when he finally got his shine, the deamons won. That loss hurts too much.

[@robertfkaz7013]

Danny is simply a genius. Amazing and tasteful and always keeping it interesting. God he was good!!!

[@mkeChris]

Countless subtleties in this performance that add up to so much feel. You see him flexing the guitar neck on the lower position chords, bending the the G above the nut a half step to grab the Ab for the Fminor.. the right hand movement from neck to bridge, pick to finger strokes to diversify the tone... This video is a deep well of ideas to pull from... wish I could have seen him live

[@danielbolger007]

An all encompassing display of other worldly prowess on the guitar. Spanning all genres and techniques on the fretboard, he was the best by far. The 80s shredders are nowhere near as good as he was.

[@tjose7660]

This... This is what keeps me playing every day

[@danielbolger007]

This is just fantastic. Best rendition of sleepwalk I've heard. There are guitarists and then there's danny gatton. He was light years ahead of any guitarist. Very expressive and soulful. Incredible musicality. Absolutely inspirational! None ever bettered the unsurpassable Mr Gatton. Astonishing rendition of a classic cover.

[@curtisbochantin6874]

This guy doesn’t play music, he is music

[@rikhaven]

Probably one of the most beautiful solos with the unique Danny's style.

[@roehllll]

the dynamics, the f-ing technique... can you be too good for your own good? yep. i believe in this man, and his soul is at work again i am sure. Bless Danny Gatton

[@dingoswamphead]

As much as I like the other versions of this tune, no-one else's comes close to Danny's. He takes the tune and pummels it from schmaltzy romance to alien invasion territory. Thanks for the great closeups, particularly from about 5:00 on, showing his extraordinary left and right hand technique.

[@TheInboil]

quite possibly the greatest guitar virtuoso this country has produced. and still not a shred of joy on this mans face, ever. RIP Humbler

[@davidquidas961]

I've seen him smile plenty.

[@dd52161]

@@davidquidas961 BS

[@keithclark486]

BS take a look 2:52 Stop telling lies

[@davidquidas961]

@@dd52161 I've stood dead in front of the man through dozens of shows and seen him smiling MANY times. I've seen the light in his eyes when the band was really hitting it. Call BS all you want but I've been there. What he was like outside of his gigs I can't say, but when he was playing, he was in the zone and loving it from all indications.

[@RedneckRobot]

I could watch this all day long. So good.

[@ozbluesman]

Thanks for this absolutely wonderful video. I am a long time Gatton fan and this confirms my views that , although so subjective , he was the best guitar player I've seen. His depth of imagination , his technical skill and downright musicality ranks him above all others. His tragic death was just so sad an end.

[@nazmoking3171]

Favorite of all his performances - over the top!

[@benspicer7470]

Same! Better than harlem knockturn even!

[@twangnut2067]

Every time I see him play, It inspires me to practice or smash my guitar. Nobody even comes close.

[@kevinblackburn3198]

I choose smash... Man the world could use a Danny Gatton or Roy Clark or Glenn Campbell right about now.

[@Bopeliano]

One of the (very) few vids I can Watch, Watch over and over, without ever growing weary ... This guy was a GENIUS ... The way he sounds his guitar is staggering !

[@RedDirtRules]

Probably the man closest to ever master the guitar. Absolute genius

[@furbymetal83]

There s just something special about these guys who can emulate convincingly a lap steel on a tele

[@mickconboy8634]

It's like he figured out every bass, key, fiddle & guitar line imaginable, and then played that stuff. And...not even all of it.

[@betterdogbehaviornow581]

I promoted him in a show and got to know him just a little...the nicest most humble person you could ever meet...it was like God played thru his hands. There are those who think he was a show off or was about tricks. Not at all...he played what he heard and he could instantly put it on the fret board. There is someone in the guitar world whose name everyone knows who said that Danny was selfish, etc. Then that guy came to a show and after that I would see him every time Danny came to town. To give you an idea of how great he was Ed Eastridge @ Big Mo records told me that Joe Pass offered to do an instructional piece for free if Ed would let him hear the voluminous recorded/out take material he had of Danny. He was one of a kind.

[@bootytoot]

What an incredible guitarist. Years ago a friend from the DC area told me I had to check this Gatton fellow out. I did, and he left my jaw on the sidewalk and my brain in outer space. RIP Danny, one of the greatest ever.

[@dettigs]

he plays just as though you or I were going to speak, just comes out that easily.........beyond amazing!!!!

[@jondcosta7512]

Its like watching a master painter create a beautiful picture right there in front of you. Danny Gatton was not just a technically gifted guitarist but also a innovator. He did things to standard tunes that cannot and will never be conceived by many or any. People who post comments should pay more respect to a truly great musician. No matter how good YOU think you are. You are not even in the same Library as Danny Gatton let alone on the same page! (you know who you are)

[@jazzed2b]

One of the most under rated guitarists! Thanks

[@mstrshredder]

This is what my telecaster watches when I’m in bed asleep.

[@jleemah454]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@ridingroy]

Wonderful. The human race will never hear better...RIP Danny.

[@sunnyzappala9903]

I’ve listened and watched many guitarist play but no one ever came close to the feel and talent Danny has its like he invented guitar rest easy we love you

[@SpiderStratagemVI]

A telecaster is Always Awesome!. In the hands of a master is otherworldly.. DG was truly amazing!

[@danielnunez7476]

holy shit! my jaw is wide open and a tear in my eye.

[@beeps123]

Thank u for sharing this masterpiece of sleep walk.

[@flamencoprof]

Guitar Mastery at its finest. I just finally got a Telecaster, was looking for tips, now I am daunted. In Fifty years of listening to guitar players, I somehow missed this guy. What a revelation!

[@diryoldguy366]

My parents saw this guy's last show ever. So glad they were able to turn me onto him. I love how even when he's going crazy he's still tying in the melody.

[@djboone7868]

Where and when, was his last show on earth ?

[@peterbrusch1493]

True genius. Died frustrated and too young.

[@knowmusicman157]

He was murdered. So was Roy Buchanan, Jimi Hendrix, Lenny Breau, etc. Do I have to give the whole list?

[@DonnieDarko727]

@@knowmusicman157 by whom?

[@ComboDobbler]

I've never heard someone speak with the guitar quite like Danny did. The control he exhibited on the instrument brings tears to my eyes.

[@No.0.o.0]

Also remember to tell your friends you love them and check in on them.

[@kitrichardson2165]

The thing that amazes me the most about Danny Gatton was that he was equally comfortable and almost any genre of music. He could play the most amazing jazz chords and then jump right into a blistering heavy metal solo and then become incredibly creative like he is in his video playing blues music. I didn’t know he had a daughter. I wonder how she’s doing these days. She’s got a lot to be proud of.

[@FushaStrat]

Danny os one of my favorites. He is the" Humbler" no doubt. Long live his videos.

[@grimjim1774]

his mastery of the instrument, producing those sounds and colors without the use of a bar. vibrato, volume swells, finger picking, string skipping, harmonics. technique and feel unmatched.

[@lakisbouz]

WTF!!!! this guy is PAST AWESOME!!! good lord what an amazing guitarist.

[@timn5008]

You might want to google "Alan Holdsworth"

[@SpaceGuitar69]

lakisbouz just buy 9/9/94 Danny Gatton's last live show when i heard that i was done all my guitarplaying friends were done.

[@MC-jm7hi]

Best version I've ever heard. That is what I call good. PURE GENIUS!

[@vinceleone3952]

Watching this again.it seems to get better each time.Coolest guitar playing ever! RIP DG

[@larryleewilsonsept02]

WOW!!! Thank you Danny Gatton for the pure genius of your music ! Thank you Robert Kittilia for sharing this video ! Long live "The Humbler"

[@Wildstrat]

As a Danny Gatton fan you can't imagine how i appreciate this. Never had the chance to see him live on stage, but this is a good substitute. Thnk you so much , cheers

[@p.aaronjones4174]

Danny Gatton could play any song dozens of different ways and they're all really good.

[@ejbgunny1]

absolutely phenomenal....wish he were still here....

[@mattsmart705]

Man how I love to see him use his Tele. what a talent he was.

[@10splitter]

So okay, to retread a story that's actually pretty well known, when Guitar Player magazine ran a multi-issue arc titled something like "The Greatest Guitar Player You've Never Heard Of," when they found Danny Gatton they said he's not just the greatest you've never heard of but he's quite possibly the greatest of all time...

[@lashlarue7924]

Still is the GOAT, at least to anybody who actually knows anything about anything.

[@dr.know-it-all5148]

Was and is the greatest. Second would be his hero, who he offended one time by accident, Roy Buchanan.

[@SonicSalute]

it's absurd what he makes

[@dr.know-it-all5148]

@@SonicSalute if they had paid Danny what he is worth. And not ripped off by the record companies and promoters he would probably still be alive today

[@johnfisher9414]

@@dr.know-it-all5148 No question. 1 and 2! Both from my area. I know some guys that played with Danny and I saw him few times. Just so talented.

[@daletilley7975]

And to think he first hears all of this music 'in his head' and then transposes it onto the neck of that guitar. Genius. Danny Gatton and then there's EVERY OTHER guitar player.

[@johnsoncoleman593]

i love that last chord

[@DoubleLLL]

These days everything is filmed on a smart phone. I'm so thankful to the people who took the time to film these kind of shows, when it wasn't so easy. Great video, cheers.

[@LumberjackHands]

The Humbler!!! Steve Vai once said Gatton "comes closer than anyone else to being the best guitar player that ever lived. You think you're so great? Let's see you go head to head with Gatton. You will be humbled."

[@williamcoleman2761]

Eric T Never better said.

[@genotype4314]

Shawn lane was the greatest.

[@michaelnoeldner3279]

Danny said the same thing about Lenny Breau.

[@lashlarue7924]

@ricky gervais Now, now. Vai had the humility to recognize Danny as being pretty close to the GOAT. Vai himself plays a certain type of music, but he's a virtuoso and musical prodigy worthy of respect (kind of like Quentin Tarantino in film -- you may not like his style, but you have to admit he's at the top of his field). Django is kind of a different category than Gatton, as are other greats like Julian Bream... Gatton would be, properly, the greatest American-style electric jazz/blues/country/rockabilly style guitarist.

[@lashlarue7924]

@ricky gervais Well, I guess there's no accounting for taste...

[@vinceleone3952]

Amazing.I'm very fortunate I got to see him.thanks for posting.

[@EddieG1888]

The ending of this from about 5:43 onwards gives me chills every time I hear it. Just stunning stuff. Imagine being lucky enough to walk into a bar and hear that.

[@richardleobold8295]

I've been that lucky, and ever since, Danny Gatton has been in my car, and every CD player in my house!

[@davidquidas961]

Eddie, I walked into many bars exactly for the reason that I knew I was going to hear that. 25 years later my ears are still ringing.

[@EddieG1888]

I'm not sure how to adequately express this level of envy in a mere KZbin comment, chaps! Walking in your local, hearing that coming AT YOU, and knowing you've got a good couple more hours of it to go!!! How could one sit listening and watching genius happen in front of them without the biggest look of amazement on your face?? The man knew every millimetre of that fretboard, and how to use it too! RIP The Humbler

[@rodneysmith3686]

Best electric guitarist ever imo, obviously he suffered depression I pray he is in heaven with you Jesus as I am sure John Previti would. Praise be Jesus Christ our King.

[@rockerstorockerstorockers7284]

I Love the solo he plays after introducing the sax player, what an awesome display of control over his tone and sound. Love it!!!

[@sherpuckett1125]

thank you. i have the album but couldn't believe i got to see that played live. again thank you so much for sharing this.

[@strome9942]

Wow…….Just wow, amazing skill & beauty He does live on every time we listen

[@BillRayDrums]

This brings tears every time I hear it. Damn. RIP Danny Gatton.

[@SidLaw500]

So effing good! In the zone, blessed, talented, genius, you name it.

[@madlove1581]

truly a virtuoso ~ stunning craftsman and such amazing artistry

[@stephenchaulker5521]

Danny drew from vast resources that most think don't exist. It's hard to imagine that anyone else who ever lived could have that kind of facility on the electric guitar ✨

[@Barnekkid]

Absolutely stunning. Thank you so much for sharing this, and I'll be watching for more.

[@davehunter9]

Wow. I miss Danny and his amazing music. Thank you for posting this.

[@jimmyrecce8787]

There was Danny...and then everyone else who dreamed of playing like Danny...we all sure miss your genius Danny....😏😏😏

[@Andrea_Manconi]

having the whole song would be so nice. fantastic playing, i mean, i can't stop looping it!

[@billydeewilliams9104]

Imagine stumbling into this bar...