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Best of Wayne Hancock
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Wayne Hancock Album Review:
What the......????? at 2006-04-13
I cant believe that this guy isnt a household name. While Im a big fan of Traditional Country Music, I picked this one up on a whim. How would I describe Wayne Hancock??? Well, how about Hank Penny on Meth!!!! I havent heard this much excitement (or true musical genius) in a long, long, time. Yes, the voice takes a little getting used to, but after hearing a few songs, you relaize that only that voice could truly deliver the sound coming out of your speakers. Its no wonder Hank III is copying Waynes delivery. While Wayne is obviously the leader of this sound, his musicians deserve the highest praise; Brand New Cadillac is like a punch in the gut...simply amazing guitar and rhythm work. My favorites here are Thats What Daddy Wants, Thunderstorms and Neon Signs, and Life On the Road. While I dont think Wayne Hancock could (or should) stick to the true Honky Tonk sound that he presents so well, it is good to see the influences of Hank Williams mixed in with balls-to-the-wall swing. I dont know if the world could handle a Wayne Hancock and Brian Setzer collaboration, but that would be a blast. I give this one a B+. Buy it.
Wayne Hancock Album Review:
Best of should have been a box set at 2006-03-15
Wayne has so many great songs I could not have narrowed it down to 14. All the songs on this CD are great. You dont just listen to his music you feel it. Ive seen him live over 20 times and enjoy it like its my first everytime. After you check this one out and fall in love with it grap all the others... you wont be disappointed!
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Swing Time
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Wayne Hancock Album Review:
Swingtime is Swingn at 2004-12-15
Wayne and the band are having a great time with their music and all throughout this record you can hear that the crowd loves it too.Excellent music, Excellent sound, great drive. Itll get your toes a tapping.
Wayne Hancock Album Review:
very addictive at 2004-02-25
I recently disovered the wonders of Accuradio and, in particular, the station TWANG. It is awesome. There are a few CDs that are in heavy rotation other than Johnny Cash or Willie Nelson. This is one of them, and for good reason. It sounds new and old, and Waynes voice does have an uncanny resemblance to a certain Hank Williams. The music has this quality that you rarely hear of being familiar and completely unique at the same time. Hats off to the band for making it sound oh so easy. Its toe tapping heaven.
Wayne Hancock Album Review:
A fun, relaxed live set at 2003-08-20
A great live set recorded down in Austin by hard-country hero Wayne The Train Hancock and his band, featuring Dave Biller on guitar, a bit of trombone tootling by Bob Texaco Stafford, and solid, lively backing by all the others. From the album title, I had expected Hancock to indulge his interest in jazz-standards and swing, but I aint complaining that this is a strait-up country album instead -- not by a longshot! Really, its amazing to hear anyone playing such as rough and rowdy, yet accomplished and historically aware kinda country these days, and this disc captures the energy and charm of Hancocks live shows pretty well. High points include his new version of Thunderstorms And Neon Signs, which may actually outdo the original -- overall, another top-notch release! Highly recommended.
Wayne Hancock Album Editorial:
Wayne The Train keeps a-rollin as the Austin honky-tonk hero struts his stuff in live sessions on his home turf energizing the dancers and putting a smile on the face of anyone who prefers country music with an old-fashioned kick. The ex-Marine is a hard-core country traditionalist but his devotion to swing--Western and otherwise--gives his honky-tonk fluidity. ISwing Time produced by Texan Lloyd Maines makes excellent use of crack guitarists Paul Skelton and Dave Biller who deftly combine vintage licks with contemporary energy. Steel guitarist Eddie Rivers is equally effective especially on songs like Louisiana Blues Flatland Boogie and Big City Good Time Gal. Still its Watsons no-nonsense vocals and 21st-century Hank Williams persona that makes the music click. Hancock reprises several songs from previous recordings adding a quick trip down Route 66 and an intriguing take on the standard Summertime. Michael Point
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A-Town Blues
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Wayne Hancock Album Review:
Wayne is the REAL DEAL! at 2002-01-30
In an era of miserable country music, Wayne is the real deal. His music is comforting when youre sad, and a laugh when youre feeling happy. His tales of trains, lost women, long highways, and lost possibilities are the soundtrack to America. Precious few are out there providing true country (i.e. American) music, and Wayne is one of them. Along with fellow Austinite Don Walser, Wayne is simply one of very, very best musicians out there today. His pedal guitar, electric guitar, and slapping bass are infused with life in all its wonders. Catch him in your town soon and buy him a drink. Until then, collect his latest and greatest album, all the old ones, and keep your eyes peeled for Johnny Law.
Wayne Hancock Album Review:
Best album I own! at 2002-04-29
I first saw Wayne Hancock on Austin City Limits and kept meaning to buy one of his albums. I finally bought Thinderstorms and Neon Signs and was somewhat impressed. However, A-Town Blues is awesome! The steel guitar in this album is fantastic and I cannot get enough of Califronia Blues and Track 49. I crank the volume way up on the instrumentals and really [make]my wife [mad]. If you like a pedal steel guitar and good hillbilly/country, this is the album for you. Wayne has chosen a different course on this alnum than Hank III and Im thankful for it, as hes gone back to country and done a fine job doing it! Im really looking forward to the next album and hope he tours into Arizona some time soon.
Wayne Hancock Album Review:
Oh my goodness! at 2006-06-04
I initially bought A Town Blues for the track Man of the Road which I wanted to feature in a radio programme I was compiling on US road music. After hearing the album in its entirety I was so impressed by the songs, the musicianship and - and theres no other way to put it - honesty of the music that its now a firm favourite and never far from my CD player. It would be pointless to single out any track as a standout because theyre all pretty wonderful, but there is something special about the poignant Happy Birthday Julie - Hancocks wearily resigned and lovelorn vocal taking the melody into unexpected places (in fact, I can well imagine Willie Nelson covering this song). The production is sparse, the musicianship brilliant: its evident that Hancock and his band had a ball while creating a classic (in just 20 hours!). Honky tonk, Western swing, rockabilly: this is an album brimming with real country music that really moves - in more ways than one. Highly recommended.
Wayne Hancock Album Review:
A thousand miles and more... at 2005-09-26
This album is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. The songs are memorable for their raw, honest lyrics, as well as for the toe-tapping guitars. Wayne Hancock is a true American gem who blends country, hillbilly swing, rockability, and blues to form a cadre of songs that are hard to get out of your head.So tie one on and make a thousand miles...
Wayne Hancock Album Review:
One of my all-time favorite albums! at 2005-03-01
Being by one of my preferred performers, I believe this is Wayne Hancocks best recording, thus making A-Town Blues one of my all-time favorites. For me, this album has been the soundtrack to an endless number of backroad desert adventures. I can no longer travel into the land of cacti, agaves, yuccas and sage without playing A-Town Blues. Song choice is what distinguishes this recording from Hancocks others. It is ballad heaven. The album sounds like a greatest hits. Happy Birthday Julie is perhaps my favorite song by Hanock, but other gems include California Blues, Miller, Jack and Mad Dog, Viper, We Three, Man of the Road, and darn it!!! I fell in the same trap as so many reviewers before myself; when picking the best songs, I listed most of the tunes on the album! Suffice to write that the heartfelt ballads, the earthy singing, the juke-joint bass, the less-than-none steel guitar makes this one of my all-time favorite recordings and it can be yours too!
Wayne Hancock Album Editorial:
Produced by Lloyd Maines (Wilco Richard Buckner Joe Ely and yes the Dixie Chicks) A-Town Blues is loose and live baby. Pedal steel guitars and buckhouse bass#151;thats it. No trickery or effects just the finely honed chops of a band thats been known to play 200+ dates in a year. They swing through a set of songs that reflect Waynes scorn for the soulless pocketbook-driven sounds that ooze out of Nashville; songs that reminisce about old friends and family; songs that sing praises to the road and songs that rue the hazards of hooch.
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Thunderstorms and Neon Signs
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Wayne Hancock Album Review:
WARNING...Not For The Top 40 Fan!! at 2004-04-17
If youre a fan of country music in the 21st century, you are not going to enjoy listening to this album!! Wayne Hancock does not make music for the Top 40 crowd. To enjoy Wayne, youre going to have to forget about over-produced albums. Wayne creates albums for those true, dyed-in-the wool, country music fans.Wayne takes you back to a time when life was simple, no worry about crime, and just laid back enjoyment of life.Like Joe Ely says, Wayne The Train is the real deal!
Wayne Hancock Album Review:
Puts Nashville Commercial Establishment to shame!!! at 2005-09-07
My only regret was not getting this album sooner. The music and lyrics are real and unpretentious. Wayne Hancock is a true American gem.
Wayne Hancock Album Review:
GREAT LYRICS AND MUSIC. at 2005-09-06
What a great album this is, not only is the music a real pleasure to listen to, but the lyrics are a hoot! Wayne is not afraid to experiment, he skillfully combines old school elements with new in such a natural way. The songs pull you right in as if your listening to an old favorite you havent heard in a long time. This album instantly became one of my favorites. I bought two more to give as gifts.
Wayne Hancock Album Review:
Hank IIIs version of the title song aint bad neither! at 2005-11-03
If you were lookin for country music thatstoo lonely for VH1, too despondent for CMT,and too ornery for GAC, you just found it.
Wayne Hancock Album Review:
waynes world at 2006-03-25
This is classic rockabilly. Its got all the elements, catchy tunes with a good beat, twangy voice, and good stories. If you like western swing music with an edge, you should try this .
Wayne Hancock Album Editorial:
Playing the too-country for commercial radio side of the field Wayne Hancock makes some of the loneliest Hank Williams-styled CW since well since ol Hank himself. Moving easily from hillbilly bop (Double A Daddy) to dancehall honky tonk (Juke Joint Jumpin) Hancock has the old-school twang down cold. He succeeds most though when he takes that old sound and fits it into his own modern life as he does on the exquisitely drawn title track where he details why pulling off to a motel whenever the highway weather gets bad makes his heart swell with fond memories. David Cantwell
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That"s What Daddy Wants
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Wayne Hancock Album Review:
Great American Music! at 2000-05-13
If misery was a crime then Id always be serving time...what a great lyric! Wayne is one of those artists that defy easy classification and thats what I like about him. I was blown away by this record when I first heard it. Passionate, visceral and original, Wayne knows how to make good ole American music with flair and style!
Wayne Hancock Album Review:
Best Hancock album put out. at 2006-05-23
I have every Wayne Hancock album out and this album is my favorite with Thunderstorms and Neon signs slightly trailing it. For Me there is nothing better than the groove of Johnny Law and the pacing of Highway 54.....Those two songs alone are worth the price of admission. The reason I like this album the best is because you can tell Waynes not holding back on this album with his voice..you get the yodels, you get the hollers, and its not as soaked with the slow blues. This is as close as you can get to Roots Rockabilly. Now Im not saying that his other albums are bad by no means....I still cherish them, but This album and Thunderstorms you can still hear that young spark in his playing and voice.....defintitely the creap of the crop.Wayne - Keep on fightin the good fight!
Wayne Hancock Album Review:
Like A RainStorm To Your Drought-full Ears at 1998-10-27
Wayne Hancocks voice and music hits you like the ringing of the ice cream truck from your second floor room down the street - immediately and wholly dominates your being. Whatever youre doing before that sudden unexpected sound is forgotten; whether you answer that call by running out the door scrambling for change along the way, or let it pass moving further away with every chime - your pulse has started to race and something wont let you sit still no more.
Wayne Hancock Album Review:
Another great album from Wayne The Train Hancock at 2000-10-29
This is just a fabulous record. Starting with Thats What Daddy Wants right on throught to the end. My favorite is probably Tag Along. A song about a woman who has many male friends, yet Wayne hopes shell tag along with him.If Wayne Hancock is playing live anywhere near you, do everything in your power to see him. His marathon live show may leave you exhausted, but it will also leave you with a performance milestone to reliish for years after.Enjoy.
Wayne Hancock Album Review:
Wayne the Train Hancock at 1999-10-16
If you cant go see Wayne live, buy this album. His music is reminiscent of Hank Williams Sr, but has its own ideas and twists. It has a hard edge to it, but it can be sentimental. oh heck, just listen to the clips and buy it for yourself. it is good stuff.
Wayne Hancock Album Editorial:
Wayne Hancocks piercing nasal tenor reminds one immediately of Hank Williams Sr. but unlike a lot of neo-hillbillies this young Texan resembles his hero without any trace of reverence or irony. On his second album IThats What Daddy Wants Hancock cruises through a dozen originals and one remake (Brand New Cadillac) with a naturalness thats disarming. As you listen to these songs about barrooms bedrooms and badlands you find yourself thinking not about the history of the bygone honky-tonk and rockabilly styles that Hancock draws on but about that gal with the blue dress on and a thousand miles of open desert road. As a songwriter Hancock simply recycles the two-step rhythms three-chord changes 12-bar blues four-lane highways and two-women troubles of his favorite old records. He invests this ordinary material with exceptional life however thanks to the irresistible vitality of his vocals. Whenever he comes to a key word in a song he stretches it out into an aching drawl before turning it into a low growl or a high yodel. Joe Elys old pedal steel guitarist Lloyd Maines produced the album with admirable restraint giving Hancocks voice lots of room but also egging it along with hints of Western swing and Dixieland. Geoffrey Himes
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