Terry Hanck

Grease To Gravy

Little Village Foundation

Chicago born Terry Hanck, saxophonist, singer and songwriter, was influenced by the blues and jazz of the late 1950’s and ’60s. Hanck moved to California in 1967. Hanck formed the Grayson Street Houserockers before appearing on Elvin Bishop’s “Struttin’ My Stuff” in 1975. Hanck joined the Elvin Bishop Band two years later and stayed with them until 1987, when he left to form his own band. Hanck played at the Notodden International Blues Festival. Three years later a young Norwegian Chris “Kid” Andersen , moved to the United States and joined Hanck’s band. Since then Andersen has co-produced every one of  Hanck’s albums beginning with Terry Hanck & The Soul Rockers 1997 “Live & Raw”. More recent releases include 2011’s “Look Out! Greasy Soul Rockin’ Blues”; 2014’s “Gotta Bring It Home To You” The Terry Hanck Band and Friends; 2016’s “From Roadhouse To Your House Live!”; and 2019’s “I Still Get Excited”. This is Hanck’s ninth album overall. Hanck has been nominated for nine Blues Music Awards, winning Best Instrumentalist – Horns three times”.

Hanck plays tenor saxophone on all tracks, and sings on all but two instrumentals. The  lead off track written by Akines, Bellmon, Turner, and Drayton, was recorded by Wilson Pickett in 1970. Jimm Pugh is featured on the Hammond B-3 organ as Hanck plays and sings on this jazzed up version, “Do you remember…we stuck together girl, just me and you, and you wanted to give it up for some other guy, don’t let the green grass fool ya’ don’t let it change your mind, right here in my arms is where you belong”.

The first of seven originals “If A Politician Was A Doctor”, sports the lyric “if the operation was successful, the poor patient died”. “The Best Years of My Life”, “like good times, hard times, all the times are gone, I just want to thank you, for all the best times of my life…I’ve been a foolish man people, I only got myself to blame…I just wanna thank you for the best years of my life”. “Come Back Baby” was written and performed by Ray Charles in 1957, “Come back baby, please don’t go…come back baby, lets talk it over one more time…if I could holler like a mountain jack, I’d holler, come back baby, let’s talk it over one more time”.

“Goin’ Way Back Home Tonight” takes us back to Cosimo Matassa’s studio in the French Quarter of New Orleans in the mid-1950’s when Fats Domino and Little Richard were creating rock n’ roll “way back home tonight everything gonna feel alright”. “Overall Junction” is a 1966 instrumental from Albert King, with Johnny Cat Soubrand guitar, and organ and bass from Andersen.”Run, Run, Baby” is an original first recorded years ago, but now with a jazzier feel, “run, run, baby, you’ll find your way back west”.

“Sick and Tired” was written by Dave Bartholomew, Chris Kenner, and J. McCoy; and recorded by Fats Domino in 1958, “oh baby, what’s you gonna do, I’m sick and tired foolin’ around with you…this is the last time I’m telling you to change your ways, I’m sick and tired foolin’ round with you”. “Going Down Slow” is from James B. Oden first recorded in 1961, “I had my fun, even if I don’t get love no more…you lied to my mother, told her the shape I’m in, so she’d forgive me for my sins…if you see my papa, tell him don’t shed no tears, oh lord, put me on the next train south, I’m going down slow”.

“When I Get My Shit Together” is a narrative, “I’m gonna make a whole lot of money when I get my shit together…when I get my shit together I’m gonna to spend a whole lotta cash, I’m gonna have to diversify”. “Pins And Needles” was co-written by J. Russo and Hanck “walkin on pins and needles every time you come in the room, I’m walkin’ on pians and needles I don’t know what to say or do… honey I’m so scared of you”. On the closer “Midnight On The Reef”, another instrumental, Terry  plays sax, while Mark Doyle plays piano; with J.P. Soars guitar, and Chris Peet on drums.

Terry Hanck is a gold mine when it comes to classic R n’ B. These seven originals showcase,  what may be his best songwriting ever. The five selected covers add an extra layer of excitement to this recording making his tenor sax and vocals, both traditional and contemporary at the same time. Without a doubt Terry Hanck is a musical treasure.

Richard Ludmerer

Contributing Editor