Deja View

Hanna's Reef | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 21, 2004)
• Original Release Date: May 8, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sail Away Entertainment
• ASIN: B000297PIY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #180,156 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Janie Ferguson, Caribbean Charters, May, 2004

"Reminiscient of Buffett albums such as "Changes in Latitudes", and "Son of a Sailor"

Product Description

"Deja View" is the second album from the Texas-based group Hanna’s Reef. The album is a follow-up to their 2002 live recording, "Reef Madness", which is also available on amazon.com . This album was recorded in-studio, and features 14 tracks of original music, all written by Hanna’s Reef guitarist Jerry Diaz. Nine of these tracks were previously released by the band Key West, of which Diaz was a member. The album was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Danny Broussard, at The Control Room, in Nederland, Texas.

The inside liner notes of the Cd contain the following message from Jerry Diaz:

"This album is called "Deja View", because it contains some of our favorite songs from our past, and also some of the new music that we're making now. We hope that by putting these songs side by side on the same album, our fans can see that we intend to continue where we left off a couple of years ago. The same style, but updated as we go along. You can expect that trend to continue on future Hanna’s Reef albums.

So if you’ve been looking for something to fill that void that only a folk, country, reggae, rockin’ calypso band can fill, you’ve found a home here on the Reef. We’ll have the crawfish and raw oysters waiting for you. Later, we’re gonna break out the rum and the cold beer, and have us a party. Welcome aboard mate!"

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great album from Hanna's Reef!, May 24, 2004

By 

Don Walker (Bacliff, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Deja View (Audio CD)

The second CD, first studio CD from Hanna's Reef has 14 tracks, 5 new songs along with 9 re-recorded songs from back when most of Hanna's Reef played under the name Key West-The Band. Unlike many "re-recorded" songs, these nine songs have been re arranged and reworked in one way or the other, and have a new feel and "soul" to them. They're like new songs and well worth listening to again and again.
The name "Deja View" (which I'm kinda partial to) was chosen because, in Jerry Diaz' words "It contains some of our favorite songs from our past and some of the new music that we're making now."

And Hanna's Reef is making some great music! This CD has been the only one in my player for over a week now and it's not coming out anytime soon.

The CD starts with "Rum in Pensacola", a "kick yourself in the butt because you didn't realize what you had" song. I've been listening to Jerry's songs for eight years now and this song is my favorite.

The next song, "Tropical Girl" is a tropical love story with a Latin flair.

"Beer Drinkers and Sail Raisers" gets it's start from the back of a Hanna's Reef T-Shirt. This song is destined to be the "Sing Along" song on the CD, with lyrics like:
"We're Beer Drinkers and Sail Raisers
Smiles away from the old rat racers
Three sheets to the wind and goin' strong.
We're all for one, one for all
Bound for another port o' call
Doing everything I said I would
Life is good!

"King of the Island" is a story about Galveston Island in the 30's when "Victor was king of the island" and the Mob wanted to move in.

"Island Time" Sometimes the world moves way too fast and there's too much technology. You just want to slow things down.

"Bitter Winds" We've all looked back and said "what if". This song reminds you to keep moving forward, reaching for your "pot of gold".

"Livin Well" This is a song about the "rock star life" but could also apply to a mid-life crisis. Hey, either one, along with this song sounds great and is nothing but fun. Jerry Diaz gets on the mike for this one.

"Jamaica Me Smile" Sometimes you meet someone that makes you feel better than a week in the Keys or in this case, Jamaica.

"Have You Seen Your Rita" We all know or have known someone like this.

"Local Knowledge" "Local Knowledge" is information and stories that you're not going to hear in the tourist traps. You have to go where the locals are. Those memories can sometimes be the best treasures from any trip. This song is one of the treasures of the CD.

"Sail Away" Had Enough? It's time for an escape, a get away. This song is the next best thing to just walking away and heading to the nearest boat.

"Makin' Waves" Another great song about 5 people getting away and Makin' Waves.

"Fun in the Sun" Classic 60's beach song. Very Beach Boy-esque. This song is screaming for a remake with Beach Boy Mike Love sitting in. If your not tapping your feet during this song, call the doctor - You're comatose.

"Everything's Gonna Be Alright" A catchy, feel good song to wrap up the CD.... Well, almost. Here's a hidden "track"


You'll be able to see Hanna's Reef not only at Meeting of the Minds in Key West this November, but also at Riddles in the Sand in Galveston, Texas the last weekend in July.


This review, along with $.75 will get you coffee in some places other than Starbucks. It's just my opinion and you know what they say about those.

Happy listening!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best yet, May 25, 2004

By 

"moonsail1" (Kemah, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Deja View (Audio CD)

What makes Hanna's Reef stand apart is that in their live shows they blend original music with Buffett-esque covers. They are not just another cover band. This album combines nine of Jerry's original songs that were recorded in his previous lifetime, with five new original tunes. The opening track, Rum In Pensacola, is worth the price of the CD by itself. If this song doesn't get some radio play, somebody missed the boat. The rest of the new songs are great, and the older songs have been updated and sound great also.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible!, May 24, 2004

By 

Frank Cunningham (Matagorda, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Deja View (Audio CD)

I've been following these guys for several years, even before they went by the name "Hanna's Reef". This album is BY FAR head and shoulders above anything they've released up till now. First, the production quality is top-notch. The person credited as "the producer" (Danny Broussard) has finally captured the "feel" that this band has been needing. There are several re-makes of songs that this band recorded previously, when most of them were with "Key West-the band". But with the improved production, and an obvious re-thinking of the instrumentation, these remakes really are like new songs. Especially notable are "Tropical Girl", and "Makin' Waves". They did a fantastic job of updating those two.

Now for the best part of the album though. The five new songs recorded here are superb. The album opens with "Rum in Pensacola", which has has got "radio airplay" written all over it. It's a classic love song, with the Pensacola Beach as a backdrop. Mike Barnett's vocals, and Jerry Diaz's guitar solo at the end highlight this should-be hit. Another great new song is "Beer Drinkers and Sail Raisers". It's a catchy little song that you'll be humming all day after you hear it. As a sailor myself, I can tell you that this is sure to be an anthem for the sailing crowd, once it gets circulated.

The other new tunes include "Living Well", which is a great showcase for Diaz's lyrics. Funny stuff! Also included is another great sailing song "Local Knowledge". It is actually my favorite song on the album. It sounds like something that could have been on Buffett's "Son of a Son of a Sailor" album. And lastly, a mindless little summertime tune called "Fun in the Sun" shows that these guys must have listened to a few Beach Boys albums somewhere along the way.

The overall feel of this album is exactly what I have in mind when I see these guys perform live. It has that heavy bottom end to it, but it's complemented with a breezy acoustic guitar throughout the album, and steel drums to spice things up a bit. I'm not exaggerating when I say that this is one of the best albums I've heard in years. I'd give it a rating much higher than a 5, if they'd allow it!