CD Review
Ron Hacker And The Hacksaws
Burnin'
Self-produced (2003) HR 6415
12 tracks, 46 minutes.
by Craig Ruskey
Review date: April 2004
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"Keeping the Blues Alive Award"
Achievement for Blues on the Internet
Presented by The Blues Foundation
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Excellent. California slide wizard Ron Hacker returns with another power trio project heaping with stellar bottleneck guitar and proves to be a fine follow-up to his last effort, Back Door Man. The major difference here is that Burnin' proves just how much an artist can grow in a couple of years. Hacker's slide work is more defined and his vocals have aged like barrell-stored bourbon, but he hasn't lessened his attack or mellowed as much as he's moved forward. Robert Johnson's 32-20 undergoes a Chuck Berry approach with thumping drum and bass support, all Hacker needs to careen across the fretboard, and for Yank Rachell's Peach Tree Blues, he lays back into a relaxed groove and shows his voice is a perfect match to his gritty guitar. Elmore James gets a nod with Stranger Blues as do Sleepy John Estes, John Lee Williamson, Fred McDowell, and a cast of other dignitaries. Hacker's own Prison Mind reaches back to personal memories, while the title track is a rollicking instrumental bottleneck trip. The rhythm section combines the talents of Artis Joyce supplying the bottom while Ronnie Smith keeps things steady with solid and effective drumming. For fans of modern slide guitarists with a decidedly old-school feel, Ron Hacker And The Hacksaws have the goods to keep any party rocking to its end.
http://www.ronhacker.com/
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