Danny Santos
Done Gone Got Lucky (Wind River) Having been part of the Austin music scene since 1993, Danny Santos has most recently fronted a band called the Bluegrass Vatos. An acoustic group, the Vatos’ music is typically Texan, that is, all over the place, but with a Latin edge that reflects Santos’ heritage. On his fourth CD, Santos and guitarist Mike Kearney, mandolin player Wes Green, and accordionist Chip Dolan cover a lot of ground musically. The ensemble-play is top-notch and the groove thoughout is agreeably laid-back. Yet Santos never distinguishes himself as either a singer or songwriter from the knot of artists working similar territory. The bluesy “Loved” and the loping country “Giddyup” fall into the Robert Earl Keen/Lyle Lovett mold, but in comparison, Santos’ melodies and lyrics are generic and flaccid. More egregious are two covers Santos attempts. His vocal limitations moot the melody from Warren Zevon’s “Carmelita,” which loses its overwhelming emotional impact. Then there’s Townes Van Zandt’s “Snowin’ on Raton,” which, while more in Santos’ range, is approached listlessly, when passion is in order. As a whole, Done Got Lucky is a pleasant listen, never offensive, but ultimately forgettable.
This article appears in November 5 • 2004.