Customer Reviews

A-Town Blues

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4 star:		(0)
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In an era of miserable "country" music, Wayne is the real deal. His music is comforting when you're sad, and a laugh when you're feeling happy. His tales of trains, lost women, long highways, and lost possibilities are the soundtrack to America. Precious few are out there providing true country (i.e. American) music, and Wayne is one of them. Along with fellow Austinite Don Walser, Wayne is simply one of very, very best musicians out there today. His pedal guitar, electric guitar, and slapping bass are infused with life in all its wonders. Catch him in your town soon and buy him a drink. Until then, collect his latest and greatest album, all the old ones, and keep your eyes peeled for Johnny Law.

Being by one of my preferred performers, I believe this is Wayne Hancock's best recording, thus making "A-Town Blues" one of my all-time favorites. For me, this album has been the soundtrack to an endless number of backroad desert adventures. I can no longer travel into the land of cacti, agaves, yuccas and sage without playing "A-Town Blues." Song choice is what distinguishes this recording from Hancock's others. It is ballad heaven. The album sounds like a greatest hits. 'Happy Birthday Julie' is perhaps my favorite song by Hanock, but other gems include 'California Blues,' 'Miller, Jack and Mad Dog,' 'Viper,' 'We Three,' 'Man of the Road,' and darn it!!! I fell in the same trap as so many reviewers before myself; when picking the best songs, I listed most of the tunes on the album! Suffice to write that the heartfelt ballads, the earthy singing, the juke-joint bass, the less-than-none steel guitar makes this one of my all-time favorite recordings and it can be yours too!

I first saw Wayne Hancock on Austin City Limits and kept meaning to buy one of his albums. I finally bought "Thinderstorms and Neon Signs" and was somewhat impressed. However, "A-Town Blues" is awesome! The steel guitar in this album is fantastic and I cannot get enough of "Califronia Blues" and "Track 49". I crank the volume way up on the instrumentals and really [make]my wife [mad]. If you like a pedal steel guitar and good hillbilly/country, this is the album for you. Wayne has chosen a different course on this alnum than Hank III and I'm thankful for it, as he's gone back to country and done a fine job doing it! I'm really looking forward to the next album and hope he tours into Arizona some time soon.

This album is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. The songs are memorable for their raw, honest lyrics, as well as for the toe-tapping guitars. Wayne Hancock is a true American gem who blends country, hillbilly swing, rockability, and blues to form a cadre of songs that are hard to get out of your head.

So tie one on and make a thousand miles...

Wayne Hancock is a treasure. In a world of homogenised 'radio friendly' pop country, here is a man who turns his nose up at that rubbish and plays music the way it used to be back in the early 1950's. He's not just a boring copy of Hank Williams or Ernest Tubb though - he simply draws inspiration from the ol' honkytonkers, together with rockabilly, blues, & jazz influences - and puts out music that is retro but completely relevant. Recorded live in the studio, with his brilliant band in top form, and Wayne's usual infectious enthusiasm coming through loud & clear, "A Town Blues" continues on from his previous records with the unique blend of 'tonk & blues he calls 'juke joint swing'.
Standout tracks for me are: "A Town Blues", "Man Of The Road", "Sands Of Time", "Miller Jack & Mad Dog", "Track 49", "Life's Lonesome Road", "Cow Cow Boogie", "California Blues" and "Railroad Blues".
Do yourself a favour - buy "A Town Blues" and see Wayne Hancock live as soon as possible.

To everyone who loves true country music, you will love Wayne The Train Hancock. Forget about your "wanna-be, look a like artist". Wayne blows away all the artist on the top 40 charts.
He'll take you back in time when music was good and there is no bad song on any album he has made. If he is ever in your town, go see him and his "hip" band. You'll be glad you did!!

i was recently introduced to mr. hancocks music and very impressed. i especilly like the instrament work behind him. a lot of toe tapping stuff. i have 7 of his cd's and this, one of the better ones.

when i first heard wayne hancock i was amazed!! i have been searching and searching for country musicians from now a days that play REAL country music. After hearing hank, jimmie, tubb, and cash i thought that all good country music was already recorded, But the i heard Wayne Hancock. He is awesome bringing country music to its roots, Singing one of jimmie's classics California Blues i thought was amazing.
and you could hear all his influences in his music and he just brings them all together so well its like everything i ever wanted to hear... magic to my ears. this record is awesome!!.. You can hear alot Jimmie Rodgers and Hank Williams in his music and it is amazing!

It's simple.The Train is a great musician,singer and song writer and it's all evident on this cd. Besides all of this, his back up musicians are terrific and he features them on almost every song and even seems to take a back seat to them. If you haven't listened to Wayne very much this cd will work for you. If you are a Train fan you can't live without this cd.

I love this cd more every time I listen to it. Boogie twang at it's best