Gotta Bring It on Home to You

Saxman/bluesman/soulster Terry Hanck has bolstered his long-time quartet—guitarist Johnny “Cat” Soubrand, bassist Tim Wagar and drummer Butch Cousins—with a handful or two of friends who help out here on piano, guitar, organ and backup vocals. Chief among them is co-producer Chris “Kid” Andersen, the guitarist Hanck discovered in Norway a decade or so ago. Hanck’s nitty-gritty vocals and impassioned saxophone playing are the real reasons to celebrate his performances—both in person and on disc—and he doesn’t disappoint here. His songwriting skills are first-rate, too, as evidenced by “Peace of Mind,” a slow blues on which he offers up this advice: “If you’ve got a good woman, better hold on tight/ give her what she needs, every day and every night.” Among the highlights are the title track, with Debbie Davies guesting on guitar and vocals; “One Horse Town” (with both Soubrand and Hanck wailing); Hanck’s soulful playing on every tune—especially on “Whole Lotta Lovin’” (Soubrand’s no slouch here either); and Andersen’s guitar work on the instrumental, “T’s Groove.” Another nice addition is baritone saxman Doug James on the up-tempo instrumental “Jam Up.” Hanck, et al. slow things down on his soul-drenched “My Last Teardrop” but then exorcise his misery by pepping things up half-way through.