« Tuesday Night Blues in San Fran! By; Mo (7/07) | Main | Freund's Birthday Blues Jam! 7/07 by: Mo »
July 19, 2007
Wednesday Night Blues by: Mo (7/07)
Went down to Biscuits & Blues lastnight for one of my favorites around here- Ron Hacker & his Hacksaws!
It was a pretty good night. The drummer was the same as last time I saw them at Grant & Green a couple of months back. I heard this would be his 2nd or 3rd time playing with Hacker. In no way am I saying this was a terrible drummer like some will translate outta this. In all actuality he was good but just doesn't have that sound needed for this trio. Not yet anyway. I'm hopin' he can stick it out, lock himself in room with Hacker's Cds and just find that Hacksaw groove. Maybe some more gigs on a consistent basis or something.
Needless to say....I'm still on the prowl for that ultimate Hacker fix. Don't get me wrong....it was a pretty good night but to be honest, since Hacker's been back, I've yet to get that fix I'm so desperately looking for. I'll keep trying.
I do know the last time I saw Ronnie Smith on drums was when Hack just got back from back east. It was at Biscuits. Hack was a bit tight yet and needed to loosen up some. Since then I've seen Hacker 2-3 other times (one rare solo performance which was awesome!) and he's been on it with his guitar playin' but where's Ronnie?
People look at me like some crazy naggin' you-know-what when I continue to say this but there ain't nothin' like that magic that happens when you get AJ, Ronnie & Ron up there together on stage. There's no comparison. There's a chemistry, a magic that happens. A trio that needs nuthin' more. Ron's a unique individual with a unique sound and it ain't the same ol' 12 bar blues here. It takes a unique drummer that really knows this guy to fill them shoes.
All I can say is get a drummer that will be consistently there at the shows, make him listen to your CDs 'til he/she can't stand it no more and they come out playing that Hacksaw magic. I believe it's time to pullout the ol' rusty Hacksaw and do some Hacksaw initiation.
I do know one thing..... it don't take no massive drum kit to get that sound. The simpler the better. It just takes someone who can tune into the Hacksaw madness and that knows Hack & AJ.
AJ got in one his killer trademark bass solos lastnight. Now that guy is amazing!! I swear it seems he carries the whole show at times.
As the night was ending there, I was hopin' for a solo song or two from Ron to take us home. I was thinking of that solo set he did at Last Day Saloon not so long ago and it was so cool to hear him in that setting. A rare treat.
We left there and headed for North Beach. It was Chris Cobb. I think we got a few songs in before they took a break and we left. All I've got to say is that song "Laundromat Blues" was what I'm always on the prowl for. Chris' guitar was yankin' at my heartstrings and then he cut loose into his trademark million notes a minute and let 'er rip!!!
The guy is amazing but when he slows it down and takes his time- it's euphoric. It's so sweet it'll bring a tear to your eye. It pulls and tugs in all the right places. Then he'll rip into the aggressive style that'll bring you from tear-jerker broken hearted blues to pissed off "get-the-hell-outta-my-life" blues. It was incredible listening to all the emotions wrapped up in just one song.
Great song and it was the take of the whole night for me.
Stan Erhart sang it and Chris played it.
Man can that guy play!!!
Pretty good night of blues.
I'm hopin' to get out and hear John Nemeth today at the KRSH backyard party in Santa Rosa. After that....not sure what to do as far as the blues goes. We'll see.
Later,
Mo
Posted by Mo at July 19, 2007 04:07 PM