I've had a track from this independently released album by John Too Cool McCool on my hard drive for a dozen years and just recently resurrected it. I've no idea where I got this pretty slick version of Mason Williams' hit Classical Gas as I don't own the CD and can't find anywhere that offers it as a download.
What can I tell you about the artist? Not much. He's from Mississippi, doesn't have a website but does have a Myspace page that hasn't been updated in years, literally. Much like the majority of that site, unfortunately.
McCool appears to favour electric blues judging by the sound samples at Myspace, unlike the earlier (2000?) pop-rock-R&B covers on 50 Years of Gold. In any case I like what he does with Classical Gas and you can get it below.
Classical Gas
I can find no indication whether McCool is active as a working musician, although he does have a YouTube playlist of some of his music, including a crackerjack version of Ghost Riders in the Sky, which you can view below. It would be a shame if he weren't still playing live and recording. Let me know if you can shed any light on the matter.
Hey!! I love your Blog. Thank you for sharing this, it’s things like this web site and people like you that keeps us aspiring musicians going. Keep up the awesome work.
ReplyDeleteI’m John Too Cool McCool; I still play as much as I can with a full time job. I can be found on Facebook as “John TooCool McCool” if anyone would like to say hey.
Also the song Mississippi Blue was used in the film "Coming Home" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c30XN7JTsjg "One Vietnam Veteran documents his experience in the war and subsequent return to the United States, by Herbert Sennett".
A few years ago my logon got compromised on “My Space” and, in trying to fix it; I got locked out and can’t get back in LOL.
Thanks again :)
he is the best
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info, John. It's great to know that you're still playing.
ReplyDeleteGhost Riders has always been among my favorites with versions by The Ramrods, Duane Eddy, Dick Dale and you at the top of my playlist.
Again, a pleasure to hear from you.