Terry Hanck – Grease to Gravy
Little Village Records
12 Tracks – 54 minutes
Chicago born Terry Hanck moved to California in the 1960’s where he quickly found a love of the surfer lifestyle. He also picked up the tenor sax. In 1970, he started his first band, which had little success but was seen by Elvin Bishop in 1972. Elvin invited Terry to join his band, but Terry said no with hopes that his own band was on the verge of discovery. In 1976, Elvin brought Terry to Miami to record Elvin’s album, Struttin My Stuff, which included the hit song, “Fooled Around and Fell in Love”. Elvin again asked Terry to join his band on tour, but Terry declined again. Finally, Terry relented and joined Elvin’s band in 1977. That engagement led to ten years with the band. The two got back together again on the 2010 Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise that resulted in a live album, Elvin Bishop’s Raising Hell Revue.
Hanck formed his own band starting in 1987. During a trip in Europe around the turn of the century, Terry encountered a young Norwegian guitarist, Chris “Kid” Andersen. Terry brought him to America where Kid became the lead guitarist for Terry’s band for the next four years. Their bond has continued ever since with Kid producing every album, including this one, that Terry has released since 2002.
This is Terry’s ninth album. In addition to producing, Kid plays guitar, slide guitar, bass, upright bass and organ on various tracks. Kid’s wife, Lisa Leuschner Andersen, adds vocals on two cuts. Terry’s regular band members Johnny Cat Soubrand on guitar, Jon Otis on drums, and Tim Wagar on bass also appear on various cuts. Jim Pugh plays the B3 on most of the tracks and also piano, ARP String Ensemble, and Wurlitzer. Of course, Terry plays his sax and provides soulful vocals throughout. Several additional guests also make appearances.
The album opens with a cover of Wilson Pickett’s 1970 soul jazz song “Don’t Let the Green Grass Fool You” as he tells her “Right here in my arms is where you belong”. On “If A Politician Was a Doctor”, Terry says “I will tell you the truth, I don’t know what the truth is anymore” as they “give them a big, bad dose of a fat lie”, all delivered with a bit of New Orleans swing with J.P. Soars guesting on guitar. He then thanks her for the “Best Years of My Life” as he says, “when I think about you now, my heart fills up with pride”.
On Ray Charles’ “Come Back Baby” from 1957, he begs her “please don’t go…let’s talk it over one more time”. Chris Burns on piano and June Core on drums guest on the song. “Goin’ Way Back Home Tonight” continues a stroll down memory lane with a throw-back to the early days of rock ‘n’ roll with Terry’s sax and Johnny’s guitar jumpin’ out. Albert King’s “Overall Junction” is an instrumental featuring Terry’s sax and Johnny’s guitar keeping with the line of early rock.
“Run Baby Run” is a previously recorded Terry Hanck original updated here to provide a jazzier feel. On Fats Domino’s 1958 “Sick and Tired” he tells her “This is the last time I am telling you to change your ways”. Mitch Woods guests on piano. On James B. Oden’s 1961 “Going Down Slow” he declares “I had my fun” as “I lived my life reckless, wasted all these years”.
He next determines “I’m gonna make a whole lot of money “When I Get My Shit Together”. Terry then tells her that he is walking on “Pins and Needles” “Every time you come into the room…I cannot catch my groove all because of you”. The album finishes with another instrumental, “Midnight on the Reef” with J.P. Soars again on guitar and Mark Doyle on piano.
Terry’s deeply soulful vocals and jumping sax drive these classic throwback R&B songs that find a modern groove while still delivering memories of the sounds of the 1950’s and 60’s. The album is a pleasant, fun listen that should have an appeal to every listener.
