CD REVIEW
By Charleston Hepston
SQ Issue: Fall 2006 Volume 16, Issue 3

Wayne Hancock – Thunderstorms and Neon Signs
1995 I Wrote It Music

The Band: Wayne Hancock – acoustic guitar, vocals; Paul Skelton – guitar; Bob Stafford – guitar, trombone; Ric Ramirez – bass; Lloyd Maines – steel guitar; Herb Steiner – steel guitar; Sue Foley – guitar; Kevin Smith – bass; Stan Smith – clarinet; Rebecca Hancock Snow - vocals

“Wayne "The Train" Hancock has been called "the master of hillbilly swing," a "roots Renaissance man," a "country singer's country singer" and "Hank Williams meets Gershwin." But the phrase most frequently echoed throughout his career is "Wayne Hancock is the real deal." Joe Ely said it, Hank Williams III said it, Bobby Koefer from the Texas Playboys said it, as have countless music fans and writers when referring to Hancock's authentic and original blend of honky tonk, western swing, blues and big band that he calls "juke joint swing!"” --- Website Notes, www.waynehancock.com

Rockabilly. Yup, a little stray from the riteous path of jazz and blues, I rescued this CD from the shelf at my local Goodwill. Now, I like rockabilly from time to time. Nothing beats it when it comes to drinkin’ beer in your local juke joint and gittin’ a little twang in yer swing. Swang?

Anyway, Hancock has passed through many times at our local ‘billy joint, Lee’s Liquor Lounge, many times throughout the years and for some reason, I’ve never been able to catch the show. So, when I saw this CD, I decided to pick it up and take a listen.

Mostly original music, you are gonna get a mix of country and rockabilly…naturally. And nobody twangs their voice like Hancock. My favorite tunes are Juke Joint Jumping and Ain’t Nobody’s Blues but My Own. There’s a solid, driving beat throughout every rockabilly song with brisk tempos, which is a trademark of rockabilly. What I really like about Ain’t Nobody’s Blues but My Own is Hancock’s use of trombone and clarinet, not your everyday rockabilly instruments. It gives it a…a…a jazzabilly feel to it.

Another fun tune is the last one, Summertime. Yes, that Summertime. Hancock duets with his sister, Rebecca Hancock Snow. She has an incredible voice with much more jazz influence than rockabilly. It would have been unbelievable if Mr. Hancock backed out totally and just let sis take the solo. It’s really an oil and water duet. You get this fantastic jazzy, sultry female vocal and then all of the sudden this twang comes in and changes the whole dynamic of the song. I’ve definitely got my eyes peeled for sis’s solo material..

If you don’t like rockabilly, skip this CD. It is a fun CD, though, so if you aren’t a jazz snob or if you like to mix it up, you’ll find this CD a fun time. So, load up on yer Pabst Blue Ribbon, dust off yer boots and git ready to swang!

Bottom Line: To buy or not to buy….. BUY! Here’s how: www.swinglegacy.com

CD REVIEW By Charleston Hepston SQ Issue: Fall 2006 Volume 16, Issue 3

CD REVIEW
By Charleston Hepston
SQ Issue: Fall 2006 Volume 16, Issue 3