Search - Dan Hicks :: Striking It Rich

A Cool Breeze On A Summer's Eve

El Lagarto | Sandown, NH | 07/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dan Hicks And His Hot Licks were truly a sport of nature, one of those unique creations that come out of nowhere and defy categorization. Part folk, part Django Reinhardt homage, part Western swing, and part tongue in cheek; this outfit was as marvelously cracked as the palm tree scenery they brought with them everywhere. They were smart - but never condescending to their audience. Overall their music had the gentle, pleasant texture of lazy summer evenings when there is lots of time, little to do, and nothing to worry about.



Hicks is a terrific front man, but the secret of this group is found in the talent surrounding him. The Lickettes (easily the greatest name ever for a team of female back-up vocalists) have exquisite voices, and add smooth sweetness wherever they're found. Maryann Price and Naomi Ruth Eisenberg both sound marvelous when they solo, but the blend of their voices is heaven.



Sid Page on violin (and mandolin) provides the instrumental juice reminding you of Stephane Grappelly and all those Western swingers, check him out on Flight Of The Fly. The humor of Dan Hicks And His Hot Licks ranges from mild, I'm An Old Cowhand, to broad, O'Reilly At The Bar, to goofy, The Laughing Song, but it is never mean. With this outfit, fun is the name of the game.



Despite the hip sensibility that characterizes Dan Hicks, he is never better than when he is overtly sentimental. Songs like I Scare Myself, Canned Music, and the Western lullaby Presently In The Past, are so beautiful that it hurts. Dan Hicks And His Hot Licks always were hard to pigeonhole, perhaps that's why they've weathered the years so well. This one is just pure delight, can't recommend it highly enough."

Hicks' urban hillbilly jive at its peak

Steve Frazier | 03/06/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the short list of albums I'd be marooned on a desert island with, I've worn out two copies of the LP and one CD so far. Particular highlights are the flawless vocal arrangement on "Canned Music", Sid Page's legendary violin solo on "I Scare Myself", the gorgeous strings work on "Moody Richard" and Naomi Eisenberg's writing and singing on "Presently In The Past"...."

Unique and fun

Steve Frazier | 08/22/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The only problem with the CD is you don't get the impact of just about the best-designed cover ever to grace an LP. Still, you get one of the most fun albums you can buy. Bouncy, kitschy, surprising. The harmonies are great (you can't help singing along), arrangements are creative, moods range from hysterically funny ("O'Reilly at the Bar") to haunting ("I Scare Myself"). I especially love the wonderful violin work of "Symphony Sid" Page. I wore my LP to shreds, good thing CDs are more durable!"