"Tangled Tales" features Dan's trademark outlaw swing music and insightful charm. His counter culture appeal has always been rooted in his songwriting. His lyrics have been touted as some of the sharpest-tongued, driest-wi... more »tted, and subtly hilarious bits of irreverence ever committed to rhyme. He sets these lyrical gems to quirky tunes that trade on a bagful of jazz chords and an irresistibly propulsive rhythm. Hicks is revered by and has collaborated with the likes of Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Bette Midler, Brian Setzer, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett, Linda Ronstadt, and Rickie Lee Jones.« less
"Tangled Tales" features Dan's trademark outlaw swing music and insightful charm. His counter culture appeal has always been rooted in his songwriting. His lyrics have been touted as some of the sharpest-tongued, driest-witted, and subtly hilarious bits of irreverence ever committed to rhyme. He sets these lyrical gems to quirky tunes that trade on a bagful of jazz chords and an irresistibly propulsive rhythm. Hicks is revered by and has collaborated with the likes of Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Bette Midler, Brian Setzer, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett, Linda Ronstadt, and Rickie Lee Jones.
Dr. Debra Jan Bibel | Oakland, CA USA | 04/04/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Once upon a time in the time-space continuum...the San Francisco Bay Area in the 60s [1965-1974]....Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks made some fun and funny recordings of countrylike swing. Over the years his albums were fine but did not have that peculiar spirit of yesteryear. With Tangled Tales, Dan and the Hot Licks (don't short shrift the Hot Licks, whose contrasting voices and accentuations contribute much to the swing) have channeled the epoch with a truly excellent album. And this time he has the help of some great country rock and blues musicians: David Grisman, Charlie Musselwhite, Roy Rogers, and Bruce Forman, among others. The album includes some covers, but the songs are well chosen, from Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues to jazz master Horace Silvers' Song for My Father. Chris Goldsmith, the producer, did a fine job in getting it all together. I think that I struck it rich again!"
Review by "Tangled Tales" Expert
Famous Jonny Mambo | Carrboro, NC | 04/22/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Having just interviewed Dan on my radio show, I feel that I am uniquely qualified to grace this amazingly fun release with the the almighty Amazon five star rating. I have spent the past month immersing myself in this CD and it has been a delight. It took about 3-4 spins for the music to sync with my nervous system and then I was hooked and wanting for more...You must pay attention or you miss the wonderful detail that has been crafted into this meticulous package of magic. Dan is riding with head-held-high in the creativity department. Sure, there are remakes, but they are way different than earlier versions and those songs have seasoned like fine wine. This is great entertainment and well worth the price that is being asked for it. Dan is a magician. Don't deprive yourself.
Keep on Truckin'
DJ Famous Jonny Mambo (Mojo Ballroom on WCOM)"
Dan's still got it.
Betty C. | Santa Rosa, CA | 03/28/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is exactly what I had hoped. It's Dan! I love the guest instrumentalists on this as well. My immediate favorite is The Diplomat. I also enjoy his cover of Dylan's Subterranean Homsick Blues. Great job Dan!"
Dan does it again
Dargan | Australia | 08/23/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"After a long hiatus I was able to return to listen to Dan in his only Australian concert in Brisbane Australia through pure serendipidy. After listening to his first work from the early 70's for much of my life I found out the very day he was to give his only Australian concerts that he was playing in the city I was in. I attended and bought this CD and commend it to any who read this. It is something you have to return to and accustom yourself to, but it grows on you. Much like his earlier work (I scare myself, Milk Shaking Momma, etc)you have to give a bit of your time to appreciate Dan, but this is a thinking musician and somebody who has spent his life perfecting his trade. Excellent listening."