GT's

The GT's were an eight piece self contained unit who cut some well regarded funk in Las Vegas in 1976/7. The tracks were collected together on their very rare album "You Gave It Away" which is now a highly sought after item. But like a lot of groups of this nature they leavened out the funk with the odd ballad or two and the pick of these can be found on their slightly less expensive 45s.

Both of the tracks I want to feature here were penned, arranged and produced by tenor sax man John Dixon, and both feature the gruff, rough vocals of Charlie Banks. Running Back shows him in a rather softer vein than the excellent Don't Blame Me but there is little to choose between the two cuts in terms of his power and emotional impact. He is a super vocalist no question. A feature of both the cuts is the excellent harmony singing as well - really tasty. As indeed is the horn section.

Notes ~

1. The group's full membership was Charlie "Bear" Jackson, Larry Walker, Corlos Williams, Bobby Wilson, Ralph Hammie, Charlie Banks, Billy Eason and John Dixon.

2. There is another GT's group on the 98 label out of York, SC. I don't know if they are one and the same - but I do know that the lead singer on the 98 disc isn't Charlie Banks.

 

 

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