Gamma : What's Gone Is Gone : Complete Elektra Recordings 1979 - 1982 - with Ronnie Montrose Review (2024)

Thanks for the review Phil . First saw Ronnie Montrose performing the "Open Fire" album, and then I saw "Gamma". He was always opening up for every band that played in northern California. or Reno. he’s always get these like a little 48 minute sets and I would go to the show because I wanted to see Montrose even though the headliner wasn’t my favorite. I also got to see him do a solo show at the "Old Waldorf" in San Francisco. with "Gamma". Back in 2009 we did a giant free festival in Golden Gate Park, and Montrose was the second to the headliner of all Day music and he had a singer and they played all the old Montrose songs from Montrose 1. I think was only four songs they played, which was awesome.

Love to hear your passion for Ronnie Montrose - he was my favorite guitarist ever (R.I.P. Ronnie). Being in California I had the good fortune of seeing him many times. The first time was just before Gamma 2 was released in 1980 (the show was supposed to be Eddie Money opening for Black Sabbath but Bill Ward had just left the band and canceled. They moved Eddie Money to headliner and brought in Gamma and Shakin Street to open the show). Also saw the last 2 shows of the original run of Gamma at an amusem*nt park in the south bay area (the only time I ever saw him play a flying V guitar). Ronnie was a very kind man that always made time for his fans. I feel fortunate to have met him and talked with him on several occasions. Right after Gamma split, he did a short lived run of shows as a duet with just him and Micthell Froom (with bass and drums on computer - something very new at that time). Was very glad to see you had him in your initial batch of guitarists in the recent show with Pete Pardo. A few friends and I have our "5 R's" of guitarists: Ronnie Montrose, Ritchie Blackmore, Rory Gallagher, Robin Trower, Rick Derringer - I'll defend those guys to the death! Cheers Phil!!

Nice review Phil, i recently discovered Gamma buying 1& 2 at thrift stores over here for $1 each, I'm glad I did , they are both very decent Albums with some great guitar , I too have Montrose debut album which is a great listen . Keep up the interesting work .

Never heard of this group ! Thanks Phil for the review !!

Greetings from Western Australia
Good morning Phil 😂
One thing that is becoming apparent to me is your honesty.
There isn't any negativity , all your reviews are very positive

I bought the first three Gamma albums in the early 1980s but was pleasantly surprised to discover Gamma 4 (from 2000) a few years ago, with four of the members from Gamma 3. One or two ordinary songs and a cover version of a weak, old song, but a few great songs, such as 'Darkness to Light', 'Last Man on Earth' and 'Out of These Hands'.

Great band. Looks like a nice box set. Rock on!

Hi Phil, just watched you on Sea of Tranquility...you gained a new subscriber 👍

I didn’t remember Gamma much then you brought them back to life. It sounds fantastic. Loved it. Thanks

My CDs are on Wounded Bird Records from 2002. I haven't heard the other label releases. I usually play the vinyl anyway 🙂

I think you are spot on regarding this set Phil. I got a good deal on this one but I do have to say that I was a little disappointed by the slender content. A booklet with little more than the credits and six mono single mixes is not up to much. To my shame I am new to this phase of Ronnie Montrose's legacy but this collection does not satisfy my musical curiousity. I am more than tempted to chase after the Rock Candy releases.

Good evening and very good to see you reconnected Phil

Hi Phil, thanks for sharing! I did realize Rock Candy released these. I was thinking box set when I saw this video thumbnail, but I think you’ve sold me on searching out the Rock Candy ones. They typically have great booklets. I love Gamma 2. I need to hear the other two.

Modern girl is one of my favorite songs

Montrose 1st tour with Sammy was one of the 1st concerts I ever went to at the old Baltimore Civic center. It was like 4 bucks a ticket then. Have had all of Rm's works in every format. Gamma is great and I still have all the t-shirts....When I wear them people kind of co*ck their heads like old RCA Victor. LOL Had tickets to see Ronnie again but unfortunately, we know what happened. Same thing happened as I had tickets for Alvin Lee. Sadly missed!!!!!!!!!

PS. I can't pick a favourite album out of Gamma I, II and III. I think I like all three of them equally now, even though back in the day Gamma II was probably my favourite when I was a more "simple metalhead" in my musical tastes. All I can say is that in 2023, whatever musical mood I am in, one of the three albums would satisfy that mood enough to dig it out and play it.

Hi Phil, les pochettes sont tellement laides ,que je n'ai pas été tenté d'écouter. Et j'étais en pleine période de découverte Jazz et mes premiers cours d'apprentissage saxophone ,et donc j'achetais plus de LP jazz que Rock, on ne peut pas être partout, j'ai écouté le titre dont tu parles ( pochette Sharks on Green) pas mal . thanks for discovery 😊🤗

Gamma 1 was the best. Davy Pattison went on to do some nice work with Robin trower snd Michael schenker

Nice find how are you today?

Compared to the Montrose release, this one is slightly "lazy" as they could have included a better booklet and also made the box set up to 5 or 6 disks with the inclusion of Gamma 4 and the live radio broadcast concert from Denver in 1979 that has been released a few times previously.
Having said that, I just checked my collection and I only have the Gamma 2 release by Rock Candy, Gamma 1 and 3 are earlier non-remastered releases - so I am going to have to decide now whether to pay around £25 for the box set with fewer sleeve notes or the two Rock Candy releases... hmmm, choices...
It would be really cool if HNE continue the Ronnie Montrose focus and do a box set of his solo album remastered - there's 10 offiicial Ronnie Montrose solo albums, that would make a great bundle for a box set!

What about Gamma 4? I have a CD copy. Was released on Wounded Bird Records.

Gamma 3 - the perfect synthesis of guitar and keys.......

I guess that this is aimed at me as I know nothing about Montrose other than his name. I’ll give Gamma a listen on Tidal

Argh... I should stop following your channel, Phil!
I had never heard of that band before. I downloaded the albums and unfortunately, I had to order them immediately! I bought the the Rock Candy editions 'cause I like a good booklet.
The guitar solos are extraordinary, the singer is fantastic (I had never heard of him either) and the songs are particularly well-crafted. Plus, a top-notch rhythm section!
But seriously, this might be even better than Montrose (the band) !

Just got the best of Gamma compilation, My favorite album is Gamma 2, there is a Gamma 4 album also, is n t it?

I have Gamma 1 and 2 on 8 track. Why didn’t they put gamma 4 in that box set? I thought production was perfect on the Gamma 1 LP. Could you do a video about Brownsville Station?

Phil, Are you still going to do the cd and vinyl sales for the week? Haven't seen it the last few weeks. Cheers.

I don’t know why the production on GAMMA 1 was so weird - it’s not as if they didn’t have a top producer … have the original CD and the Rock Candy reissue and the mix sounds odd and unbalanced to me on both. GAMMA 2 reissue sounds great, however! Still have my signed 12” EP and tour programme :)