John Hammond
Wicked Grin


Label: Virgin Records
Released: 2001
Source: Original CD 
Size Torrent: 367 MB
Format: FLAC






For WICKED GRIN, John Hammond takes a break from interpreting the likes of Sleepy John Estes and Blind Lemon Jefferson to have a go at the canon of good friend Tom Waits. Further authenticating this project is Waits's involvement as producer and musician. Rounding out the cast on this impressive project are Sir Douglas Quintet keyboardist Augie Meyers, harp legend Charlie Musselwhite, Canned Heat's Larry Taylor, and Fabulous Thunderbird Stephen Hodges on skins.

Turning to albums like RAIN DOGS, SWORDFISHTROMBONES, and BONE MACHINE for source material, Hammond used his pliable baritone and tasty fretwork to inhabit the characters and seedy scenarios of these songs. Druggies and prostitutes come to life in the 12-bar blues dirge that is "Heart Attack and Vine," while the image of homesick sailor in a foreign port is teased out with an economically played Vox organ throughout "Shore Leave." Elsewhere, Hammond and company make like Los Super Seven on the norteno-flavored "Jockey Full Of Bourbon," with Meyers and his squeezebox making like Flaco Jimenez. The only non-Waits song included is "I Know I've Been Changed," an album-ending traditional gospel number turned into a field holler by Waits's shredded growl and Hammond's soulful howl.






Personnel

John Hammond (vocals, acoustic slide guitar, guitar, harmonica, handclaps); 
Tom Waits (vocals, guitar, plucked piano, handclaps); 
Charlie Musselwhite (harp); 
Augie Meyers (accordion, piano, electric piano, Wurlitzer, Hammond organ); 
Larry Taylor (bass); 
Stephen Hodges (drums, percussion, handclaps); 
Gene Cornelius, Oz Fritz, Ralph Patlan (handclaps).





Track Listing

1    2:19    4:42 
2    Heartattack and Vine    4:40  
3    Clap Hands    3:59    
4    Til the Money Runs Out    4:02   
5    16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought Six    4:37   
6    Buzz Fledderjohn    4:14  
7    Get Behind the Mule    5:54  
8    Shore Leave    2:58   
9    Fannin Street    4:48  
10   Jockey Full of Bourbon    3:32   
11   Big Black Mariah    4:09   
12   Murder in the Red Barn    5:56   
13   I Know I've Been Changed    2:19