Hanson - Now Here This

Details: 1973, Ork Records, CD (2007 reissue)

After a couple of gigs this last weekend my loudly ringing ears were looking for something a little more soothing to ease me through the final hours of Sunday and the first day of the new week and I found this fine album, recently given the full reissue treatment, proved just the tonic.

Superbly laid back and smooth blues in places, stunningly fluid funky guitar dominated blues-rock in others the guitarist dominating this album is “Junior Hanson”. Better known perhaps in later years as Wailers guitarist “Junior Marvin”, although lauded prior to this album as a “young Jimi Hendrix”; and you can hear why that comparison was made. It’s another rare gem resurrected by the impressive Ork Records although marks something of a departure from the other Ork output I’ve sampled as this time its a straight remaster, minus bonus tracks or unreleased extras. Of course the expected sleeve notes are, as usual, extensive, interesting and add context to the release by including a new interview with Junior himself.

Musically, at its best, its a fine example of funk infused blues-rock. The Hendrix-isms are certainly apparent but are rarely overdone, and “Now Hear This” introduces itself with a cracking, typically 70s flavour, through “Travelling Like A Gypsy“. A fine opener that immediately introduces a distinctive guitar style and encourages further investigation. An interesting and possibly brave move on the reissue is the inclusion in the sleeve of a not entirely complementary review of the album when it was initially released. Stating that the album “could’ve been amazing”, the piece comments on the superb musicianship on display but describes some of the material as “clunky” and “not as distinctive as it could’ve been”. Fair enough perhaps for a few tracks following the opener, although “Catch The Beat” hit a chord with me within some of the more laid back fare on the album. But it’s not bad material at all though and certainly worth persevering with even if only to get to a few excellent tracks stashed at the end of the album.

“Gospel Truth” and especially the excellent “Rain” certainly raise the bar considerably, hinting at just what the talent Hanson both possessed and pulled together for the sessions for this, his first solo album. Both prove to be fine examples of what they were capable of producing. To just underline this there’s the near ten minute instrumental, guitar dominated feast, “Smokin’ To The Big “M”“, to close the album in considerable style.

A wonderfully relaxing album despite being predominantly up-tempo. The fusion of funk and rock works as well as anywhere else I’ve heard it tried and the disc has proven to be an excellent late night driving companion for me in recent weeks, and this weekend a great album to just kick back to and let wash over me through the headphones.

Highlight : Rain

Score : 3/5

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Video footage of “Travelling Like A Gypsy” taken from a recent XM Radio Broadcast session…

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BL

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