Hans Theessink - Crazy Moon Music CD

HANS THEESSINK "CRAZY MOON" 1995 Blue Groove BG-7020, produced by Hans Theessink For Crazy Moon I wrote all the songs. Once again I decided to invite musical friends to help me out. We recorded in Vienna, Los Angeles and Austin Texas. Since the Call Me production I\'d become friends with singer extraordinaire Terry Evans who brought in all the singers for some great gospel inspired singing. Also the Austin sessions were fun with a.o. Marcia Ball on piano and vocals, Ponty Bone on squeezebox, Joe Morales on sax, John \'Mambo\' Traenor on washboard and Cindy Cashdollar on dobro. Cindy and myself have been playing some concerts together lately - lots of slide! Also Canadian keyboard veteran Richard Bell was on board again with some tasty organ. (Richard already played on Janis Joplin\'s \'Me and Bobby McGhee\'). Jon Sass once again supplied his signature tuba basslines to great effect. Also my friends John Sheahan and Sean Canon from the Irish Band \'The Dubliners\' played and sang on my lovesong \'sail Away\'. Enjoy, Hans Theessink. Personnel: Hans Theessink: vocals, guitars Jon Sass: tuba Alee Thelfa: drums, percussion, backing vocals Marcia Ball: piano, backing vocals John \'Mambo\' Traenor: washboard, triangle Ponty Bone: accordion Joe Morales: tenor/alto saxophone Richard Bell: Hammond B3, Wurlitzer piano, accordion Terry Evans, Ray Williams, Willie Greene Jr., Olivia Reese, Janet Kyle, Birdia Williams-Miller, Dorretta Carter: backing vocals Art Of Brass Vienna: horns John Sheahan: fiddle, tinwhistle Sean Cannon: backing vocals Cindy Cashdollar: dobro Spencer Starnes: double bass ------Blues Bytes, USA, 1997 Like his other fine releases, Crazy Moon is full of mostly acoustic blues with savory flavorings of Cajun, Caribbean, gospel, Texas, and even European classical traditions. Indeed he draws on musical friends from various cultures, countries and styles, while blending them all into the finest of blues presentations. Mr.Theessink's throaty, soulful vocals and superlative guitar/banjo/mandolin work are the centerpiece of each song. He has a special gift for rhythms of all types and varieties, and always captures the rhythmic essence of each number. Although he hails from across the water, he has more than mastered American roots and blues traditions; he has revitalized them with artistic creativity, advancing them to new heights. (Bill Jacobs, Blues Bytes, USA, August 97) ------Blues Revue, USA, April 98 On this release, Dutch singer and multi-instrumentalist Hans Theessink has assembled 13 stellar cuts of blues, roots rock and gospel. With a warm, expressive voice that alternately recalls J.J.Cale and rocker Chris Rea, Theessink leads the listener through many different tales. Theessink is an engaging storyteller who makes the tunes feel like long last friends. As engaging as the vocals and lyrics are, the music on this disc is what makes it stand out from the crowd. With an instrumental lineup featuring Theessink's multiple strings as well as a tuba, piano, dobro, accordion, tenor and alto sax, B-3, drums, washboard and percussion compliments of such noted musicians as Marcia Ball, Cindy Cashdollar, Ponty Bone, Richard Bell, Rocky Morales, Ali Thelfa and Jon Sass mixed together in various combinations, the disc has a unique, organic roots sound. While the blues inform most of the tunes, roots rock and especially gospel are major influences as well. In fact, the strong gospel-inflected harmony provided by Terry Evans, Ray Williams, Willie Green Jr., Olivia Reese, Janet Kyle and Birdia Williams-Miller adds a buoyancy to several of the cuts including "Power of Love", "Homecookin' " and "Roll with the Punches," that makes them stand out as highlights. Based on the strength of this release, the record stores had better make room for the balance of Theessink's deep catalog. (Mark Smith, Blues Revue, USA, April 98) ------5.0 out of 5 stars CRAZY about you, Hans Theessink Where have I been? How is it I never heard of this incredible blues singer before?? I love his voice, his songs, his whole style of blues. I bought this album because I saw one of the background singers was Terry Evans -- who I also love (own every CD he ever put out). Well now I'm working on purchasing every one of Hans Theessink's CDs. What a pleasure!!!! Customer review on AMAZON.