Tad Lathrop & Don Giller, “Luck Tonight”

In the Spring of 1987, Tad had secured for us a music project where we'd compose and record two-minute samples of various music genres. Tad would then write an article about each. We recorded samples of Blues, Rhythm & Blues, Rockabilly, Heavy Metal, Funk, Reggae, New Wave, and Fusion.
To prepare for the project, we bought ourselves a 4-track cassette recorder to allow for actual multitracking. We had previously been using the sound-on-sound feature on my reel-to-reel tape recorder, but this was an entirely new dimension for us. We became more efficient and inventive with each new genre as I discovered the process of layering different tracks to create combinations of sounds.
Two years later, I purchased an 8-track reel-to-reel recorder/mixer, and with this new monster we began recording a number of songs onto it. One was a Tad composition originally called "Harbor Town" but revised years later to "Luck Tonight." We first recorded the basic tracks that Spring, 1989, then added vocals and guitar solos in the Summer of 1991.
There it sat until reliable digital transfers into the computer were made possible for me in 2003 as we began preparing work on our CD "Red Horizon," released in March 2006.
With all eight tracks of "Luck Tonight" now in the computer, in 2005 I extracted vocal tracks from other choruses in the song to create a new acapella introduction.
We didn't include "Luck Tonight" in our "Red Horizon" CD but are now presenting it with a new video that Tad has prepared, my contribution to it the first of our two solo bridges.
Enjoy.

[@dariawells7438]

Very Paul Simon-y. Neat-o, Donz-o!

[@Matorory]

I had no idea you played! Sweet~

[@JaredLewisMusic]

Great job guys 👏✨🎼

[@christinacascadilla4473]

This is great!

[@JackSilbert]

Love this one and its upbeat sound!!

[@dongiller]

Thanks!

[@rupertcornelius]

SUPER COOL Don, sounds great thanks for sharing!!!

[@zarrahkat8954]

Nice song - Sounded a little like the Little River Band opening there. Love the Caribbean beats. Hope things are well - Best wishes.

[@siggylloyd3566]

Appreciate all the music, Donz!

[@damoontroll2118]

Incredibly talented. I’m glad that the internet has become a tool to release things like this. It sounds fantastic. This KZbin channel you have is immensely enjoyable.

[@dongiller]

Thanks!!

[@624radicalham]

@@dongiller Don Gilbert Gottfried passed away recently and silence from your channel. It made me wonder if that lack of uploading has to do with your association with the official Letterman channel (which would be my biggest fears coming to light as obviously they edit and chop up everything for views and money and copyright issues) because you've maintained the single most elegant Letterman channel in world history. I understand copyrights, and if that's the case please do let us know. However there must be some way for you to keep up this historical document and continue to be the Associated Press of Letterman and American culture that we love.

[@dongiller]

@@624radicalham First, yes, as I tried to explain without violating my NDA, here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4fSgJhorq1mhdk Second, I uploaded Gilbert’s compilation over three years ago, easily searchable, here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJrMY3eGpLOZkNE And thanks!

[@williambillyshears9129]

Love the track Don! Love your channel and have followed it for a very long time.

[@ludwigfan3013]

Looks like a Paul Reed Smith @2:24. My dad used to have a 1987 model. Sounds great Don 👍 . Thanks for sharing

[@dongiller]

Sharp eye! Bought it in 2004.

[@gene_frenkle]

One of the best things about this is you and Ted have been friends all this time. Great job gentlemen.

[@dongiller]

And someday I’ll realize his name is Tad. :)

[@radiosandrayguns]

decent Giller. enjoyed this

[@JLKDOOM]

This song has 1995 written all over it! I love it

[@VideoAssaultSaturday]

RAD DUDES! 😎😎

[@randywilliams7281]

I had no idea what I was going to hear but damn…I loved it! I got Paul Simon vibes and def some 70’s-80’s era Jimmy Buffett. Amazing job gentleman. I’d buy that song.

[@lyleyork4257]

Don and Tad, this is gorgeous! Sounds like you were singing and playing in a room together. Now I learn that it's all cut and paste...but it's still you two, and I love it.

[@dongiller]

Well, we did record and overdub it together, face to face, in 1989 and 1991. It’s only the a cappella intro that was built from the choruses. Your name rings a bell. :)

[@DavidSmith-sw5kg]

Wonderful feeling tropical music and sad lyrics mixed well with a bottle of dark island rum.

[@checkmatekingtwothisiswhit7685]

Good jam! Thanks Don

[@deaterk]

Neat-O Don! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@davidsOO50]

Well done, well played!

[@andyinoregon]

Reminds me of that Chuck Berry lyric -- "But he could play the guitar just like a ringing a bell."

[@steveconn]

Good to turn to your own talents, Don.

[@kurikokaleidoscope]

それは完全に素晴らしいです

[@lynnturman8157]

Wow. That's good. Don, I had no idea you were such an accomplished guitarist.

[@noshowjackie]

Amazing! So nice tune. Don Giller rocks!

[@dongiller]

Tad’s creation. :)

[@noshowjackie]

@@dongiller awesome well I wouldn't know if not for you, Don. You're better than Netflix.

[@AtyPical1313]

Thumbs up! (Doing old school as I grew up in a world before emojis : )

[@milesdevinny5759]

Hey Don, was just reading your blog and want to send condolences for your father's passing. Sounds like he was a great person. I'm very grateful for all the you've been doing over the years and continue to do, and just wanted to send my best wishes. Thank you and I hope you are doing well.

[@dongiller]

Thank you, Miles. Greatly appreciated.

[@fourcrowned1670]

Your not making me feel inspired

[@dongiller]

My work here is done, then.

[@fourcrowned1670]

@@dongiller Good That's what I want. Ghosting me tell I'm dead, seriously? Tell Andrew and Carrie they can live in piece forever Live me live peace. At the end I'll drink myself to death If that's what you want, fine