Viper of Melody

Wayne Hancock

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 21, 2009)
• Original Release Date: April 21, 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Bloodshot Records
• ASIN: B001SNXSSO
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,402 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

2009 release from the Alt-Country favorite. Viper Of Melody is a deft proclamation of Wayne the Train's unwavering belief in the curative energy of juke joint swing. Man, there ain't no problem that can't be salved by his brand of stripped down, intensely rhythmic amalgam of Hillbilly Swing, Honky Tonk, Rockabilly and Hep-Cat Boogie. It's an infectious and unpretentious sound that tells quotidian tales of driving your life away, throwing your money away, and having holes in your roof and holes in your shoes. Even when he sings on the hard times like "the rich folks call it recession, but the poor folks call it depression" in 'Workin' at Workin'', it's done with a big smile and the dance floor is still full,

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars perfect to listen to when drivin' down those dusty back roads, April 28, 2009

By	The Delite Rancher (Phoenix, Arizona) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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"Viper of Melody" is a welcome addition to the growing catalog of Wayne Hancock. This album features that great Hank Williams infused twang that we've come to love. Highlights include 'Jump the Blues' and 'Dog House Blues' which is sure to be a live sparkler. 'Your Love and His Blood' is written in the style of the murder ballads from the 1930s. While harking back to the great depression, 'Working at Working' is a song we can all relate to during these uncertain times. "Viper of Melody" easily fits into the rest of Hancock's discography. Every now and then Wayne mixes things up a little with a dash of Dixieland or Jazz. In contrast, "Viper of Melody" is back to the basics Juke Joint with steel guitar (Anthony Locke), upright bass (Huckleberry Johnson), electric guitar (Izak Zaidman) and Wayne on acoustic guitar. Thematically, this album also aligns with the rest of his work featuring tunes about unemployment, lost love and traveling. Vipers were reefer enthusiasts in the 1920s. The title fits because "Viper of Melody" is smokin'!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good `Ole Texas Honky Tonk with some Kick-*ss rhythm guitar, April 29, 2009

By	Steven I. Ramm "Steve Ramm "Anything Phon... (Phila, PA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Wayne's name is all over the package - and he wrote all the songs and sings lead, so that's probably right. BUT, there are three other guys here too and they are as much a part of its rockin' success as Hancock. He shouts out their names - Izak, Tony, and Huckleberry - in the opening track, "Jump The Blues", and gives them solos. Those solos continue through the other 12 songs. This is not "country" as another reviewer pointed out. Hancock was born and raised in Texas - Austin area I think, but not sure - and grew up with mentors like Joe Ely and Robert Earl Keen. (They certainly aren't country.). Think Western Swing and Honky Tonk and you get the idea.

Put this on while you are working around the house and see if you don't start working faster! This music is contagious.

I'm not a huge fan of Hancock's voice - a bit to high for me - but there's no denying that he rocks out and that's what makes this CD so much fun.

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best WH CD, June 2, 2009

By	WH Superfan (IL) - See all my reviews

All of Wayne Hancock's CDs have gotten more listener enjoyable since his first release in 1995. The melodies and band guitars keep improving.
Viper of Melody CD is by far the very best WH recording ever. All of the songs are enjoyable, a few are much better than enjoyable, and two are so outstanding that they should become country classics (High Rolling Train & Lonesome Highway). If these two were recorded by anyone with lots of radio airplay, they would be #1 on charts.
If you're a WH fan, or if you would like to experience fabulous country music, order this album. It will probably become the favorite CD of your lifetime.