| 14th November 2006 08:09 AM |
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| Barney Fife |
I went out and saw about 50 minutes of The Hacienda Brothers Monday night and thought they were really good. The venue, Off Broadway, is about 40 minutes from where I live, and the band didn’t start until 11:23 p.m., so I had to leave to get my beauty rest shortly after midnight. I had bought their first album shortly after it came out and Monday night bought their newest release.
This band suits Chris Gaffney a lot better than being in Dave Alvin’s Guilty Men. I think he has a really good voice for country music. Not that Dave doesn’t play country, but I think Gaffney is better in an all country band instead of Dave’s more eclectic mix. Both Gaffney and Dave Gonzalez share vocal duties. Gonzalez plays electric guitar and Gaffney plays acoustic guitar and accordion. The band is rounded out with bass, drums and steel guitar.
They played tunes from both of their albums. Their latest release has several tunes co-written by Dan Penn who also produced the album. Mr. Penn is famous for Muscle Shoals soul songs like “Cry Like a Baby,” a which was hit by The Box Tops, “It Tears Me Up,” a hit by Percy Sledge and “Dark End of the Street” written with and recorded by Clarence Carter – some really choice stuff. So Hacienda Brothers Gaffney, Dave Gonzalez (formerly of the Paladins) and the rest of he band were really fortunate to have this kind of talent helping to make their album.
St. Louis mainstays Beetle Bob and Dancin’ Donna were in the small but appreciative crowd, although they didn’t dance together. Cover charge was $7. Go out and see this band on tour if you can! The pedal steel and Gonzalez’ Dan Electro guitar were really nice. Hopefully you’ll be able to stay for the whole show. |
| 14th November 2006 08:38 AM |
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| polksalad69 |
So Gaffney is not the weakest link in this band as he is in the Guilty Men? I don't think there is a weak link, they are all outstanding musicians. I still see them as a side project even though I guess they are not anymore.
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| 14th November 2006 08:45 AM |
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| Barney Fife |
You're right - it's very well balanced.
I don't think The Paladins have any plan to get back together, so this is "the gig" for now.
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