Customer Reviews

Striking It Rich

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dan Hicks And His Hot Licks were truly a sport of nature, one of those unique creations that come out of nowhere and defy categorization. Part folk, part Django Reinhardt homage, part Western swing, and part tongue in cheek; this outfit was as marvelously cracked as the palm tree scenery they brought with them everywhere. They were smart - but never condescending to their audience. Overall their music had the gentle, pleasant texture of lazy summer evenings when there is lots of time, little to do, and nothing to worry about.

Hicks is a terrific front man, but the secret of this group is found in the talent surrounding him. The Lickettes (easily the greatest name ever for a team of female back-up vocalists) have exquisite voices, and add smooth sweetness wherever they're found. Maryann Price and Naomi Ruth Eisenberg both sound marvelous when they solo, but the blend of their voices is heaven.

Sid Page on violin (and mandolin) provides the instrumental juice reminding you of Stephane Grappelly and all those Western swingers, check him out on Flight Of The Fly. The humor of Dan Hicks And His Hot Licks ranges from mild, I'm An Old Cowhand, to broad, O'Reilly At The Bar, to goofy, The Laughing Song, but it is never mean. With this outfit, fun is the name of the game.

Despite the hip sensibility that characterizes Dan Hicks, he is never better than when he is overtly sentimental. Songs like I Scare Myself, Canned Music, and the Western lullaby Presently In The Past, are so beautiful that it hurts. Dan Hicks And His Hot Licks always were hard to pigeonhole, perhaps that's why they've weathered the years so well. This one is just pure delight, can't recommend it highly enough.

One of the short list of albums I'd be marooned on a desert island with, I've worn out two copies of the LP and one CD so far. Particular highlights are the flawless vocal arrangement on "Canned Music", Sid Page's legendary violin solo on "I Scare Myself", the gorgeous strings work on "Moody Richard" and Naomi Eisenberg's writing and singing on "Presently In The Past"....

One of my college roommates had this record and after hearing it a few times it became one of my favorites. After college, I bought it on vinyl. A few years ago, "Moody Richard" leapt into my head and I had to have it on CD. After hearing it again, all of the tunes from the CD are now dancing through my head. This is fun, fun country/pop/folk rock music, with interesting arrangements, good vocals and a very high listenability quotient. I now like to play "The Laughing Song" for my kids and hope to have them hooked soon.

The only problem with the CD is you don't get the impact of just about the best-designed cover ever to grace an LP. Still, you get one of the most fun albums you can buy. Bouncy, kitschy, surprising. The harmonies are great (you can't help singing along), arrangements are creative, moods range from hysterically funny ("O'Reilly at the Bar") to haunting ("I Scare Myself"). I especially love the wonderful violin work of "Symphony Sid" Page. I wore my LP to shreds, good thing CDs are more durable!

It was 1973, I was in Dutch Harbor, Alaska. O'Reilly at the bar still sounds as fresh now as it did then. Very interesting vocals which combined with the great playing and arrangements, turn out to be unforgettable music. Dan was at the height of his powers when this was recorded. The band was tight and in the pocket.

Released in 1972, this is Dan Hicks' third album. It is the second on MCA and to get wide distribution. It is 37 minutes long.

The biggest problem with these MCA CD releases is that the sound quality is poor. This is probably the worst one. It was transferred to CD in the early days of CD and it must not have been done from a master. It is the type of CD that gave early CD's a bad name and created vinyl snobs.

The sound is fuzzy and muddled. There is no dynamic range. This was a crystal clear recording but does not come out like that on CD.

This CD has the best collection of songs of any Dan Hicks albums. However, the best songs on this CD, Canned Music and I Scare Myself were also on Dan Hicks' first album, Original Songs. Those versions can be found with much better sound quality.

So, if the sound quality was good, I would give this 5 stars. But had to drop it a star because I find the sound annoying.

Dan Hick's first album was called the Original Songs. 9 of the 11 songs of that album are on a CD called The Most of Dan Hicks. That CD also contains 7 unreleased songs. Most of the songs on that CD have been redone and put on other CD's like Where's the Money and Striking it Rich.

The Most of Dan Hicks has near perfect sound. Buy that CD and see how much better songs like Canned Music can be with high quality sound.

Note that Thomas Dolby (Blinded By Science) had a minor hit with I Scare Myself.

This album is a delight! Like much exceptionally good music, it draws from many sources and resists categorization, but the strongest single influence seems to be western swing, minus the electric guitar (it is entirely acoustic). Here's a blow-by-blow of the best songs (and there are many):

"You Got To Believe": These guys don't need drums to break a rhythm. Just listen to the opening lines - nothing but a bass and a finger-snap, but by the time the guitar comes in, your heart is already beating in time. Depressed? Just play this once, and sing along. You will "simply" absorb the message of assurance and hope. In 1973, the New York Mets, inspired by this song, adopted its title as their motto and promptly rose from last place to the World Series, proving that it works. Dan and "the girls" (Marianne and Naomi) trade lines, as they often do: "Believe in somethin' (What's that somethin'?) That somethin' is love."

"Walkin' One and Only": The beat comes from the guitar this time, and you might even find yourself "clicking your heels a bit". He's a hustler, a man on the make, but you can't help but like him.

"O'Reilly At the Bar": Dan turns his voice into a seriously, hilariously intoxicated character, O'Reilly ("that's me!") whose beer was accidentally drunk by a fellow patron. "You stolen my beer, and that ain't right, you gettin' yourself in a fight. Whoever you are, you pushed me too far, now I'm gonna smash your face." You're smiling, aren't you?

"Moody Richard": The Licks turn serious lyrically on this one, but the vocals are harmonious, and the music is gorgeous, especially the guitar solo. This time the bass provides the rhythmic pulse. It's about an "innocent bystander" who never gets involved. "He's guilty!" the song concludes.

"I Scare Myself": The best of the several versions of this song Dan recorded, including the excellent one with Rickie Lee Jones on his comeback album of 2000, "Beatin' the Heat". The violin solo by Sid Page will touch your deepest fears and leave you screaming, if you let it. What a performance!

"Woe, the Luck": Another serious song, this time about the cost of selling your soul for earthly riches.

"Presently in the Past": Written and sung by Naomi Eisenberg, a bitter (but not maudlin) song of regret about a long-ago love, softened by the tenderness of her singing and Sid's violin. We don't just hear her cry, we cry with her.

Dan's singing voice is not appealing purely as an instrument, but he is expressive and funny, and he wrote all but one of the above-named songs. Marianne and Naomi are perfect foils for him, and they sing beautifully. The band rocks, without drums or electricity, and they certainly earn the name "Hot Licks". This is one of my favorite albums of the 70s.

It's history at it's best. Back in the early 70's my friends and I would listen to this all the time. Finally we wore out the record. Now I have it forever on CD.. the voices bring back so many wonderful memories. This is such a fantastic group with a great vocal blend.

Not quite up to par with the 'Where's the Money' live lp but still filled with beautiful songs. Yeah, the LP cover opens like a matchbook. Cleva'. Dan always had style. The real point is to get every one of his 70's records because there's amazing songs on each one. This album probably is not well known out in the world. If you want humor/drivin' sound/violin/bluegrass/smarty pants lyrics/emotion in almost every song and going to a musical place that is like your own private vacation, buy this album. chrisbct@hotmail.com

Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks are unique and exciting. Their music is jumpin'country jazz. Sounds impossible, but it's true. I had to have the CD because I have worn the LP out.