Terry Hanck I Still Get Excited

Terry Hanck
I Still Get Excited
TVR/VizzTone

It has been three years since The Terry Hanck Band's last album, "From Roadhouse To Your House Live," which I summarized captured "the engaging and strong blues, R&B and rock of the Terry Hanck Band… ." Hanck returns on this new release with his saxophone and vocals with his band of guitarist Johnny' Cat' Soubrand, bassist Tim Wager and drummer Butch Cousins along with the keyboards of Jim Pugh and guitar, bass and more from Kid Andersen. Anderson co-produced this recording with Hanck, which has several special guests including June Core on drums, Rick Estrin on harmonica, Chris Cain on guitar, and Tracy Nelson on vocals.

Reviewing that live recording, I observed that "Hanck is quite a congenial vocalist with a bit of grizzle whose robust saxophone with a mix of King Curtis yackety-yak with Junior Walker honking." There is no reason to change that observation based on the performances here that range from blues, rock and roll, and swamp pop. It also does not hurt to have such an excellent band, including the guest musicians. This is heard throughout the 11 performances here, starting with the opening title track. It is a gem of rock and roll with a tagline "I might be old as sin, but in my mind, I am just a kid, lawd I still get excited." Pugh channels Johnnie Johnson or Lafayette Leake, Soubrand takes a rocking solo with Hanck riding the song out with some honking and high note screeching.

Louis Jordan is among Hanck's influences, as shown by a cover of "Early in the Morning," but also on his original "Smooth Tyrone." This song sounds like the Jesse Mae Robinson-Louis Jordan penned "Blue Light Boogie." In this song, Hanck has provided original lyrics replacing those of the original. Pugh, Soubrand, and Hanck all shine musically here while Kid Andersen on bass and June Core on drums keep a relaxed shuffle groove. "Here It Comes" has a relaxed early 60s' R&B groove while it incorporates a bass riff from the Solomon Burke classic "Cry to Me." In addition to a heartfelt vocal, Kid Andersen contributes some neat Spanish-tinged acoustic guitar. On the Chuck Willis-styled shuffle, Rick Estrin adds his sax-like harmonica on "Come On Back," soloing as well as having interplay with Hanck. It is followed by the appealing instrumental, "Rosita (No Wall Call Hold Our Love)."

Several remakes are not far removed from the originals recordings. These include Bobby Charles "Why People Like That?" with some 'yackety-yak" sax and "Howlin' For My Darlin'" with Soubrand channeling Hubert Sumlin. Also heard are energetic renditions of Eddie' Cleanhead' Vinson's "Hold It Right There," and "Feel So Bad," based on Little Milton's Checker recording, with more exceptional Soubrand guitar. One exception is an older Little Milton recording, "Spring," that Hanck and Tracy Nelson, in marvelous performance, transform into swamp pop. It stands out in another splendid collection of blues and roots performances by Terry Hanck.

I received my review copy from VizzTone.  Here is a video of Terry Hanck performing "Sweet Tyrone."