JAMES HAND
Evil Things (Cold Spring Records)
Reviewed by David J. Klug

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I was standing in the shower singing James Hand's "A Night Like No Other" and unintentionally segued it into my version of Don Walser's rendition of "Curtain In The Window." While much of Evil Things moves like a hot but relaxing summer day in central Texas, there are a few honky tonk rave-ups like "The Truth Will Set You Free" to mix the pace. Hand's played honky tonk in his hometown of Tokio, Texas for most of his life, but didn't record until his early 40s. Like Walser, he not only emerged late in his life but also was largely unknown outside of Texas, until his 1997 debut, Shadows Where The Magic Was. On Evil Things, Hand continues to make honky tonk in the pure Texas tradition of Ray Price, Johnny Bush and Walser. Produced by Jason Roberts (Asleep At The Wheel), Evil Things was made with Ethan Shaw and Mark Horn (The Derailers) on upright bass and drums, respectively, Ricky Davis (Dale Watson) on pedal steel and steel guitar, and David Biller (Dale Watson, Wayne Hancock) on acoustic and electric rhythm and lead guitars. Biller also produced Evil Things, and Dale Watson joins the band on lead guitar on four tracks. This is some of the best honky tonk that the Lone Star state has to offer. www.cold-spring.com

© 2000 - David J. Klug