Garry Segal
Taking Notes
By Trevor Dye
FREE Magazine, JamBase.com, HypeZine

After receiving critical acclaim for his work with Garry & The Moodswingers, Garry Segal is entering the realm of solo act, well, sort of. Taking Notes, his 2008 solo debut, is a collection of Segal's original compositions, but he is accompanied on the album (and often in live shows) by the To Dye For Band. The band is a collaboration of friends Segal has amassed over his 25 year playing career, and the collective credentials are astonishing; to name a few: Jeff Pevar from Crosby Stills & Nash and Phil Lesh & Friends, Phil Rosenthal from Seldom Scene, saxophonist Collin Tilton from Van Morrison's Moondance, and Grammy Award winning dobro player Stacey Phillips. Segal adds vocals and acoustic guitar for all the tracks on the album, along with a bit of his renowned harmonica playing on "Cartwheels" and "Everything's Jake."

Taking Notes bleeds Americana, with an intoxicating blend of uptempo blues and soulful bluegrass that would fit nicely in the juke box of any down n' out, PBR serving dive bar. The good ole' boy quality in Segal's sound is evocative of late Springsteen. But at times, his strong blues influence sends his vocals a little more along the lines of Van Morrison circa Astral Weeks. As a personal fan of whistling, I was especially pleased to hear the whistle intro/exit for "I Keep Drinkin" (probably the best candidate to be added into the aforementioned dive bar juke box). This nod to the drinkers is my favorite track on the album, and the combination of Segal's raw vocals, Steve Roane's heavy baseline, and Tilton's smooth sax, artistically portrays the melancholic world of well whiskey and a burdened heart. Segal's musicianship - especially the free-flowing harmonica work that would put a smile on the face of any Dylan fan - makes his solo worth seeing, but if you have the chance to catch him backed by any combination of the To Dye For Band, don't pass it up. Garry Segal's Taking Notes is a surprisingly great solo debut.
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Everyone should "take note" of Garry's awesome talent to write and execute his music. His soulful style and harmonica playing put him in league of true professionals. Two Broken People is my favorite cut but they are all phenomenial. CT misses you...lucky NC
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A dash of Bluegrass, a spoonful of Blues and a sprinkle of Country makes this album a sweet treat for the ears!
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I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW HOW MUCH WE LOVED YOUR MUSIC. I'VE QUOTED YOU SEVERAL TIMES FROM YOUR LYRICS-----LOVED WRONG DOGS! Hope to catch your live show
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