Johnny, Dick, and Emily Gimble

A Case of the Gimbles

When you’ve got credentials such as Johnny Gimble and a lifetime of music behind you, there’s only one way to go: Bring the family. With three generations of Gimbles playing (plus a passel of ’em in the credits) and perennial favorites like Irving Berlin’s “Blue Skies” and George & Ira Gershwin’s “Our Love Is Here to Stay,” A Case of the Gimbles promises to be first class. And it is. Son Dick Gimble, who co-produced with Danny Levin, and granddaughter Emily give granddad a run for the money and a reason to be proud by stepping up in fine form on fiddle and vocals. Johnny, who made his mark as one of Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys, wrote “Waltzin’ the Blues” and “Headin’ for the Barn,” well-matched by Mose Allison’s tender “Was” and Kimmie Rhodes’ heart-tugging “Be Mine.” With an array of fine, mostly local musicians (Levin, Mitch Watkins, Cindy Cashdollar, Floyd Domino, Wes Starr, Kenny Frazier, Jon Blondell), A Case of the Gimbles is an aural delight, its real gift in the voice of Emily Gimble, as perfect for the waltz as it is swing-inflected songs and classics. Truly, this is a family affair.

***

This article appears in November 11 • 2005.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US