Record Boy Ink:

I think John Hammond’s great. He backs up his total blues purist attitude with sublime guitar work, sparkling blues harp playing and authentic blues man vocals. Seeing him perform leaves one with the sense of being in the company of one of the all time greats.

The only thing Record Boy can find fault with in John Hammond’s career is this: He has essentially made the exact same record every year for the last 25 years or so. As a recording artist, he unfortunately fits the stereotype of: “if you own one John Hammond album you own them all.”

Until now.

On John Hammond’s latest release “Wicked Grin” (Pointblank) we are at last presented with a “concept” album. The concept is this: all the songs on the album (with the exception of one traditional tune) were written by Tom Waits. Tom also produces this album. Side musicians include Charlie Musselwhite, Augie Meyers and Tom W. hisself.

Waits has written lots of blues based material over the years, but never had anyone interpret his work the way John Hammond does here. Hammond is one soulful dude, and he embraces Waits work like he’s got a hellhound on his trail. From the celebratory “Heartattack and Vine” to the sinister “Clap Hands” to what sounds like an ancient blues standard (but ain’t…it was written for Tom’s last album) “Get Behind The Mule,” Hammond gets to the soul of every number.

John and Tom have known each other for years, but it took their wives to sell them on this concept. Good thing too. Now you have a reason to own TWO John Hammond albums!

(Click Wicked Grin if you wanna buy this CD online!)