Customer Reviews

Selected Shorts

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Dan Hicks took four years between "Beatin' the Heat" and "Selected Shorts", and it's well worth the wait. Gone the too-slick production and inappropriate duet choices of "Heat": "Selected Shorts" just slightly updates the toe-tappin' western swing sound of the classic 1970's Hicks & Licks, complete with tight vocal harmonies and witty call-and-response between Dan and the girls, and the welcome return of the incomparable Sid Page on violin. The four ladies singing backup bring a smooth blend, spot-on pitch and a nice sense of swing to the proceedings, but their sound is undistinguished and lacks edge -- one misses Maryann Price and Naomi Eisenberg just a bit. The dearth of new Hicks tunes here (included are three re-done songs from 1994's live "Shootin's Straight" album, and three covers) may signal that in his senior years, Dan has hit a songwriting wall, but it matters little. The versions of "Willie", "Barstool Boogie" and "Texas Kinda Attitude" (beautifully covered by Maryann Price on her excellent "Etched in Swing") are infinitely better than the live Accoustic Warriors versions, and the covers are all tasty. The immediate standout (for me, anyway) is the totally swinging take on Rose Clooney's "C'mon-A My House", which opens with some Jon Hendricks-esque scatting from Dan, and closes with an expanded list of the "everything" he's promising to give ("a four-slice toaster, a leather recliner/record contract, contract on your mother-in-law"). The only misstep is the second version of "That Ain't Right" featuring former Butthole Surfer Gibby Haynes: whether Haynes actually "phones in" his duet vocal or it's a studio-created gimmick, it's not nearly as cute as they probably thought it was at the time. But I quibble. "Selected Shorts" makes for a perfectly respectable intro to the music of Dan Hicks for the uninitiated (I pity the fool!); and long-time Hicks fans should welcome it with open ears. It's not "Strikin' It Rich" -- but then, what is?

To Reviewer Number One: Play it again, Rich, and I think you may change your tune.

Outstanding tunes IMHO are "Mama's Boy Blues", "That's Where I Am", "Hey Bartender", and "Cue The Violins". "Cue" is like a lost song from the Blue Thumb days, it's so sweet. "Bartender" rocks, and brings Dan up to date nicely. The lyrics are pure Hicks drollity, and the dispassionate backing vocals are a stitch.

Wonderful covers of "I'll See You In My Dreams" and "C'mon-A-My-House" do a nice job of showcasing Dan's jazzy sensibilities.

Remakes of previous tunes are there for good reason, since the album they appeared on ("Shootin' Straight") has been out of print for far too long. Besides, "Shootin'" was live, and "Selected" is studio... so there's another reason.

The duets, well, I gotta say I'm with you on this one to some degree. But that Gibby Haynes on "That Ain't Right"! Man, that's like a duet with Beavis!

Did I convince you yet? Or did you microwave the disc already?

(As to which DH discs would rate my coveted 5... those would be "Strikin' It Rich" and "Shooting Straight".

No dissrepect to the first individual who reviewed this album negatively. But to my ears this a fine, fine, fine piece of work. How is that this gem is not the best selling album in the world right now? Creativity like this is desperately in need of right now!! Dan, you should see if you can get a gig on American Idol-do it for the nation. Three cheers for Dan Hicks!!!

It has been awhile since I have out enjoyed myself this much listening to a set of music. I love this CD. It does exactly what it sets out to do: entertain. If you are sick to death of all the angst, preaching, bitching, threatening, complaining, snot-nosed whining, not to mention the unnecessary screeching and shouting from your speakers, Dr. Hicks has the Rx. You not only want this collection, you NEED this collection. Bye Now.

I'm doing the Barstool Boogie in my seat. If you like Texas Swing This is the album for you.

It is hard to classify Dan Hicks music. So many different Artists on this Album... Guitar great Gary Hoey plays on several songs. Jimmy Buffet duet on "Barstool Boogie". Willie Nelson on "one more cowboy"

While the music is what mesmerizes me on this album it is the background vocals that get me singing along.

Very unique sound a must have CD

Another wonderful trip through Dan Hicks' humorous mind. Sing along, if you are not laughing. "First I lost my marbles, then I lost you" my wife laughs everytime I sing it to her....great.

A must have for the Dan Hicks fans.
Had me hummin in the morning and put me in a good mood to face the day!

Dan hits again and the Hot Licks are always easy on the ears.

This ain't his best, but it's good. Which means it's great. Cuz Dan always is. So are the Hot Licks. Especially the Lickettes.

Bad news for Dan Hicks fans: this has got to be the most embarassingly lame recording he's ever made. Some things grow on you; this one does not. The vocals are terrible, the collaborations even worse and the remakes of previous tunes are tedious head scratchers. What was he thinking about when he listened to the out-takes? Does he need money? A second listening inspired only a desire to get the shrink-wrap back on. Sorry Dan, this one should have never been born.