Search - Hank Crawford :: True Blue / Double Cross

Hank's True Blues

Charles Voellinger | Denton, Tx. United States | 11/01/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Thank God someone is re-releasing Hank Crawford's old Atlantic
titles from the '60's. I spent alot of time and money collecting
these titles and don't regret it for a second and now everyone else
can order them lickety-split. Although, there's nothing like
the musty smell of old vinyl and those shiny old Atlantic covers.
Anyway, on this disc you will find five of the most moving minutes in Hank's career-his arrangement of the old Buddy Johnson
ballad "Save Your Love For Me". During the bridge, the horn section sustain gospel-like chords before falling together in a way I can only describe as the aural eqivalent of that moment when you realize it's all over and there ain't nothin' you can do about it. There is an intimacy here born of many
nights playing with musicians who understood and were sympathetic to what he wanted from his small group. So, when they recorded
at a tempo so slow as this and were still able to accent together-moan together-the way they do here, it goes beyond craft
into the realm of art. If you like streamlined, tight jazz arrangements played by a small group (but voiced like a big band)
with a blues-drenched alto singing over it all, then Hank's your man. God I wish I could have heard that band in person."