The DeSotos
are a four piece band based in Auckland, New
Zealand
Paul Gurney - lead vocals & guitar; Stuart
McIntyre - bass & vocals; Ron Stevens - Hammond organ, keyboards, acoustic
guitar & vocals; Michael Burrows - drums & vocals.
The DeSotos have cemented their place as New
Zealand's leading exponents of the Americana / Country Blues genres
following the release of two albums that have been universally embraced by
the critics.
2008's 'Cross Your Heart' was voted
Manu Taylor's no 1 New Zealand album of the year, and the 2011's “Your
Highway For Tonight” album received glowing 4 star reviews nationally.
Both albums have supplied the theme and
continuity music to the TVNZ 'South' and 'North' series presented by Marcus
Lush.
And the live show steps it up a notch further
- 4 part harmonies, rootsy Gretsch guitar, Hammond organ with Leslie, and a
rock solid rhythm section make for a tight and dynamic live sound that is
exciting and unique.
The DeSotos are:
Paul Gurney - lead vocals, guitars
Stuart McIntyre - bass, vocals
Ron Stevens - Hammond, keyboards, vocals
Michael Burrows - drums, vocals
www.thedesotos.com
www.facebook.com/thedesotos
www.myspace.com/thedesotos
www.youtube.com/thedesotos
www.twitter.com/thedesotos
Check out the 'official' Greedy Men video
on YouTube. Greedy Men is
the song that was used in Marcus Lush's 'South' TV series.
Sign yourself up to the email list on the
home page and be kept up to date as shows are added to
the gig guide.
Here are a couple of reviews of
Cross Your Heart:
Steve Scott of the Waikato Times:
(House and Lifestyle, August 2008)
Every once in a while, an album arrives and instantly commands your
attention. Auckland band, The DeSotos is such a band.
From the very beginning, The DeSotos don't disappoint. They
are illuminating with a powerful blend of rock-infused country-blues.
The musicians that make up this band – Paul Gurney, Rex McLeod, Stuart
McIntyre and Ron Stevens – reveal a strong chemistry that celebrates a
rockin' spirit of musical communion.
Tracks including The Spirit, Greedy Men, Invisible and Goodbye, are
timeless, perfectly arranged and delivered in earnest and, at times,
harmonic tones.
Other compositions, including Sat on a Mountain, with blazing harmonica from
Midge Marsden and Love Lost Time featuring a lead guitar highlight recalling
the late Duane Allman's Eat a Peach period, reveals The DeSotos have struck
gold with Cross Your Heart.
One of the finest debuts I have heard this year.
Graham Reid (NZ Herald Time Out)
Named after the classic car (and not presumably the explorer) this
Auckland-based outfit peel off a substantial slice of professionally
delivered, wide-screen country-rock which owes much to the
Petty/Springsteen/Neil Young and Travelling Wilburys axis, and mostly kicks
things up a notch from the Warratahs.
With a couple of writers in their ranks there is also a pleasing diversity
here, although sometimes they reference their influences just a little too
much for any accusations of originality to be thrown.
When they nail something of their own - the tense jangle of The Spirit,
the tight churn of Greedy Men, the heartfelt Offline - they
offer songs which are classy and fully formed.
From the opener 59 Cadillac through to the ballads in the closing
overs, this is enjoyable rockin' country music full of twang and backbeat
which sounds even better when a ribbon of highway stretches out ahead and
you are in no hurry.
As the opener says, 'there ain't nothin' like rain on a two lane, driving
fast with the radio on'.
Well, someone's already supplying the rain, The DeSotos have the soundtrack.

Check out The DeSotos on
MySpace

Check
out The DeSotos on
Facebook

Check out The DeSotos on
You Tube!