Gary Banks – The Keeper

The Lakes of Pontchartrain is a wonderful version of a traditional favourite. Gary has delivered a CD that can only be written by someone who has lived, who has experienced life, who has listened to the stories that surround us. Gary’s other life as a child and family therapist informs the stories within his songs. Career Gary has worked as a guitarist singer/songwriter, a solo performer, as part of successful bands and as a skilled accompanist. He is well known for his beautiful original material and his respectful interpretation of traditional Irish songs. He has a long history of skilful accompaniment of, and recordings with, many solo singers but has been increasingly drawn into performing his own material. Gary comments: “….after years of performing the wonderful traditional repertoire, I found my own voice, my own words. Yes, informed by what came before, but increasingly I discovered the need to express my story, my experience, my own journey…..” Gary has been a regular performer at festivals, including the Port Fairy Folk Festival, Beechworth Celtic Festival, Mount Beauty Music Muster and the National Celtic Festival in Victoria where he was described as: “…a performer with the rare talent of producing powerful and moving original compositions but who also brings new life to many traditional songs with his respectful, sensitive handling 99 In 2009 Gary was invited to perform at the prestigious Clifden Arts Week Festival in County Galway, Ireland to launch his new CD — ‘the keeper’. This is the preeminent festival on the Irish west coast where Gary performed to rave reviews and where his new CD was picked up by RTE Lyric and Connemara Radio. In addition to his solo career Gary has worked in a variety of successful bands in Melbourne and the Geelong areas for the last 25 years. Tracks on ‘the keeper’ by Gary Banks 1. Break my Heart 2. Lighthouse Boy 3. Chance in Time 4. Errislannan 5. Round and Round 6. Great Ocean Road 7. The Lakes of Pontchartrain 8. Mary 9. Things That Divide Men

Gary Banks – The Keeper
CD Review by P.J.Whyte
Gary has a pleasant easy listening vocal.
The CD Cover suggests a
smokey lighthouse theme.
This suggests Gary’s story style.
Indeed track after track sings of the ocean.
That’s not the entire album though.
The rhythms are strong and the drumming drives a great beat.
They are reminiscent of those heart thumping sea shanties but in a modern way.
On the sleeve, Gary speaks of being influenced greatly in Ireland.
You will hear this too throughout the album.
The production is a busy one.
There is lots going on with this album.
Rudi has done a fine job of adding sound to the stories.
Lots of pretty guitars, accordion and dobro.
Jo Ellis adds beautiful violin and backing vocals.
Gary has great stories to tell, he has had great help to get his beautiful messages across.
This album is a worthy addition for those collectors who love a good acoustic story teller.
Especially those of us touched by our oceans and nature.
P.S. The song “Not in My Name” has me hooked.
I’m on Gary’s side on this one.
You will be too.
Order a copy of his CD and you will chant along with this one like me.
Fight on Gary!