It's an irresistible concept: Wayne "The Train" tearing it up on 14 original juke joint/swing tunes backed by a raw, first-rate band. He's got the assets to make it work: sharp, incisive vocals, fresh numbers, Lloyd Maines... more » as producer, and an awesome recording band featuring the blazing lead guitar of veteran Hancock sideman Eddie Biebel, guest guitarists Paul Skelton and Dave Biller, and non-pedal steel guitarist Eddie Rivers. By avoiding self-conscious imitation (a pitfall that's done in many acts inspired by the past), they often come fetchingly close to capturing the feel of any number of obscure '40s Texas honky-tonk 78s: swinging out on "Tulsa," down and dirty on "Drinkin' Blues" and the Ernest Tubb-inspired "I Don't Care Anymore" and "Goin' Home Blues," and the earthy "Brother Music, Sister Rhythm." Given Hancock's often-stated affinity for Bob Wills-style swing, the sole disappointment is the scarcity of those sorts of songs here. With a group of musicians this dynamic, a few more rip-roaring moments would have been welcome. --Rich Kienzle« less
It's an irresistible concept: Wayne "The Train" tearing it up on 14 original juke joint/swing tunes backed by a raw, first-rate band. He's got the assets to make it work: sharp, incisive vocals, fresh numbers, Lloyd Maines as producer, and an awesome recording band featuring the blazing lead guitar of veteran Hancock sideman Eddie Biebel, guest guitarists Paul Skelton and Dave Biller, and non-pedal steel guitarist Eddie Rivers. By avoiding self-conscious imitation (a pitfall that's done in many acts inspired by the past), they often come fetchingly close to capturing the feel of any number of obscure '40s Texas honky-tonk 78s: swinging out on "Tulsa," down and dirty on "Drinkin' Blues" and the Ernest Tubb-inspired "I Don't Care Anymore" and "Goin' Home Blues," and the earthy "Brother Music, Sister Rhythm." Given Hancock's often-stated affinity for Bob Wills-style swing, the sole disappointment is the scarcity of those sorts of songs here. With a group of musicians this dynamic, a few more rip-roaring moments would have been welcome. --Rich Kienzle
CD Reviews
Review of Live Show from Wayne's Tulsa Tour
C. CRADDOCK | Bakersfield | 01/08/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I saw a great show at Fishlips in Bakersfield last Wednesday: Wayne "The Train" Hancock. He sang like a modern-day Hank Williams, and had a great band, just Jake on stand up bass, and Johnny on the Telecaster. Wayne just strummed an acoustic guitar, one stroke per beat, but was always right in the pocket, his guitar was holding down the tempo while the electric guitar filled in when he wasn't singing, and the bass just kept the beat going like crazy. It is a testament to the trio's chops that they could inspire someone to dance right from the first song. They had a really crazy rhythm going and it never let up. And there was not even a drummer in the band. The bass player was always pushing the beat, but with perfect placement, and intonation, which ain't that easy on a fretless stand up bass.
Wayne played for about 2 hours, and he let his girlfriend Gina play a few songs while he took a break. I took that opportunity to get Wayne's autograph. When he got back on stage he sang and talked about all the counties where he was incarcerated. Quite a few.
I loved the show, it was a prodigious display of musical virtuosity. If you closed your eyes you could have sworn it was Hank Williams, yet he had his own style, and wasn't just a clone of Hank. He was what Hank would sound like if he were alive and just a little bit older than Hank Williams III, his grandson is right now.
The songs on Tulsa are great, and whether he is live or in the studio, he sounds fantastic. Wayne Hancock refuses to compromise his music, to sweeten it, to make it more commercial, to do anything other than play music he really feels deep down inside, and to make you feel it deep down inside, too.
"
Tulsa is the album for me!!!
J. Prais | So Cal | 10/14/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Well worth the wait! Wayne's been playing many of these songs at his shows for a while now and I've been dying to get this album. It did not disappoint. Every track is solid, and like all of Wayne's albums, there is no filler here. Do yourself a favor and get this album now! It will prove to you that REAL music still exists."
The Real Deal
Mark L. Fritz | Lakeland, FL United States | 01/10/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wayne "The Train" is the real deal. I own every Wayne album and I just can't get enough. I've seen Wayne's live show twice and he plays non-stop just about all night. I would highly recommend any of Wayne's albums especially if your ready for some real country music."
Still the best
Dixie Diamond | Texas | 10/17/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Nobody does it like Wayne, that's for sure. One of the things that makes him stand out is that he always has first-rate accompanists (go see them live if you can; Eddie Biebel is terrific).
Hancock has avoided a kitchy, retro-overkill style, which is a great thing amid a lot of decent rockabilly-style bands that try a little too hard. I like _Tulsa_ more as I listen to it, although on the whole I think that the songwriting, while good, is getting a little tired. Just a little. This album seems a little more repetitive and a little less interesting than previous albums, although the individual tracks are fine."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1