Album Notes

The second of Gammage's four solo albums recorded in the 90's, Kneel to the Rising Sun could be the strongest of the quartet. Originally released in 1991 on France's legendary indie label New Rose, the record spotlights some of Gammage's best compositions and performances.

Gammage's vocals and guitar work are excellent throughout. His guitar playing shows an element of tasteful refinement and restraint not found in his work with the New York rock band Certain General. The songs share elements of blues and folk with strong melodies and lyrics.

Kicking off the album is "Shed My Skin" a catchy song about renewal and personal rebirth. Other song standouts are "Season of Rage", "Through My Window", and the Fred Neil classic "Everybody's Talking At Me". The band's musicianship overall is stellar and features some of the best New York players from that era. Marc Jeffrey (Band of Outsiders, Playtime) contributes guitar and slide guitar, Vinny DeNunzio (Feelies, Richard Hell, Health and Happiness Show) plays percussion and harmonica, Dave Kaufman (The Nails) is on keyboards, D. Lee (Band of Outsiders) is on bass, and Phil's old band mate from the Corvairs, Martin Blazy joins in to play percussion and drums.

The 2011 reissue features two previously unreleased bonus tracks. "Johnny Guitar" is a collaboration with Spanish chanteuse Patricia Navarro and the music is pure Gammage. "Yes It's Me" was recorded around the time of the Kneel sessions and fits beautifully with the rest of the collection.

This album was a minor hit in France upon its original release in ‘91 but never saw a proper American issue. Overall it is a dynamite collection of songs from a long overlooked and underappreciated songwriter and musician. Out of print for several years, it's great to see it finally get a deluxe reissue with this 20th anniversary edition!

"...puts some personality into oddly underwrought darkside Americana echoing Nick Cave's fascinations minus the melodrama. Which might well make Gammage this generation's Hank Williams."
Trouser Press

"Habile mèlange entre country paysan et blues urbain...grand, grand artiste on vous dit!"
ROCK & FOLK

"Gammage dèmontre que le bonheur peut, parfois, tenir dans une simple douze cordes."
LES INROCKUPTIBLES