Customer Reviews

Push Comes to Shove

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD starts out strong and keeps delivering throughout. Gritty at times, persistently engaging and toe tapping. Actually, your whole body is going to be moving as you listen to this one.

Slow walkin/talkin blues at times, with a deep reach for meaning in delivery transitions back to kick-a** blues with gusto.

I'm planning to see John in March (Bath, ME) and this is great preparation.

Another gut-wrenching, terrific outing for John Hammond. I've been listening to John's music for 30 years, and he just keeps getting better. I saw him at Wolf Trap last night and he was superb. John is best known for his highly original guitar and harmonica takes on the blues classics, both acoustic and electric. Here he expands his repertoire by adding a raunchy "blues meets hip hop" version of the classic "Tore Down" with hip hop artist G. Love that will knock your socks off. First class music from a first class artist.

I've admired John Hammond for almost 39 years now. I'm glad that he's back to using an electric band again. This recording is killer! I think the fact that it was recorded in analog as opposed to digital is what gives it the raw edge.If you like your blues gritty and downright real, you'll love "Push Comes To Shove". Can this analog recording be the new mono for the 21st century? Hope more artists record this way...it's warmer...or in this case...HOT!! This CD and John's recent output remind me of his early electric Vanguard and Atlantic recordings. This guy is an unheralded Americon icon.

While having a few other Hammond discs this one really wants to make you move. I was very impressed with 'Wicked Grin' and 'Ready For Love' prefering the first of the two; but this outing is really rocking, dirty and up front. I like the production on this disc. And again there is the use of a Tom Waits song 'Cold Water'. While Tom's version is slow, this one takes a complete and surprising different twist; nice indeed!! I'm waiting for the next level, if thats possible.

I think that this is possibly John Hammonds best effort yet,
and I have been listening to him since the 60's. He does some
very different things on this CD, and also writes many of the songs.
It all works out very very well. Friends who are not John Hammond fans
have told me that they also enjoy it very much. A terrific CD.

i have no negatives about this cd.. It's good fun... It's not Muddy Waters etc... but that's a hill no one can climb..

Wonderful vocals... way high end guitar... And a fun sense of delivering blues lyrics.... I'm looking forward to seeing John and band on tour soon..

Push does come to shove on this contagious CD. Love's sauce is nicely poured over Hammond's repast. If you're not in the mood before hearing it, it will undoubtedly put you in the mood.

This has been a staple of my listening since I first discovered it shortly after its release. It had been a while since Wicked Grin, which has been one of my favorites for years.

On Push Comes To Shove, G. Love's production work complements Hammond's style, feeling both modern and timeless. It perfectly captures the essence of what Hammond is all about - that deep growling voice and that raw guitar. G. Love contributes most heavily on "Tore Down," which sounds like a true collaboration between the two musicians. That track is one of my favorites on here and in the blues genre as a whole. I also can't get enough of "Take A Fool's Advice," which imparts some wisdom learned by hard living. "Eyes Behind Your Head" introduces a swinging, jazzy mood. "You Know That's Cold" is great for belting out in the car. Really the whole thing is just so much fun, but with plenty of depth of feeling too. Hammond is really peaking again in his older years and it's a stunning thing to witness.

John does here what he does best--interpret the blues clearly through up-front 12-bar rhythms and textured licks. I was pleasantly surprised.

Although not a major Blues fan,I could easily be, if all Blues albums had the beat and content of this one!