Hancock is new to me, but it sounds
like he's been around forever. Part of this is due to his sound,
which hews to an earlier, considerably less processed iteration of
country music — honky-tonk, or juke-joint music, really. Hank
Williams' grandson, Hank III, claims “Hancock has more Hank Sr.
in him than either I or Hank Williams Jr.” an appraisal that is not
entirely disingenuous. Hancock's songs of heartbreak have a similar
disconcerting candour that leaves you wondering how delivery so
muscular can be so unabashedly fragile as well.
That muscularity, force and confidence
is the engine of the project, and it's fuelled with high-octane licks
from some mighty fine guitarists. A number of songs have three of
them trading rockabilly jams. I'm a sucker for the style, and this is
the sweetest I've heard it played in many years.
“If I could play the blues like they're playing me,” moans Hancock early in the record. He might not have the upper hand on 'em, but he sure does give 'em a ride. As soon as the weather warms, I'll be rolling down the windows to Wayne for sure.
The album site (Bloodshot Records) is
here, and I think the snippet from The Big Takeover review* is
spot-on. Hancock's own site is here.
* “It doesn't hurt either that each
song is filled with instrumental breaks from three guitarists who let
loose and trade off in styles that are at once respectful of the
vintage music and as demented as any rock guitar breaks…Despite the
fact that there's no drummer on this record** it has the energy of
the first Rolling Stones record but taking on rockabilly rather than
American blues.”
** Huh. Hadn't really noticed the
absence of drummer until it was pointed out to me. Had you asked, I
probably would've sworn there was someone smacking the trap behind
these fellas. Goes to show ya.
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