"Though this masterpiece foreshadowed the Americana movement by nearly 25 years, that these chaps are all Englishmen is even more astounding. Drawing from the same creative vein as the some of the Grateful Dead's countrified work, the twang and rock go down smooth like a good sip of smooth whiskey. Augmented by some good guest work on sax from the legendary Elton Dean and smoothed by the production of the ubiquitous Eddie Offord, Albert Lee, Pete Gavin, Tony Colton, Chas Hodges, Ray Smith, and Mike O'Neil smoke on tunes such as Green Liquor, Devil's Elbow, Country Boy, and The More You Get, The More You Want (Dean's sax really shines on this number). Those cuts and the other harder-edged tracks fare better than some of the softer cuts such as Song for Suzie or Look at the World It's Changing/You Because You Know Me, in part because Colton's vocal delivery seems better suited to the numbers he could belt out. Albert Lee is, as always, outstanding on whatever guitar he picks up, and it is clear to see why this versatile player was later sought after as a sideman by everyone from Emmy Lou Harris to Eric Clapton. Pete Gavin's great drum work only adds to the mix. I would suggest that you not spend you hard-earned money on lesser acts in this genre-the Uncle Tupelo/Wilco/Son Volt and their ilk-until you hear the real deal first."
A Rerelease of This Classic Is Long Overdue!
Chris Ward | Costa Rica | 09/15/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This double album is crammed with goodies and one of the best rock-and-country mutations ever recorded. Albert Lee's playing was staggeringly assured at this early date, and I don't know whether he's equalled it in the last 25 years. Listen to the slow-moving and evocative solo in "Devil's Elbow" and the best of Clapton springs to mind. And of course Lee's manic picking on the first recording of the (later country standard) "Country Boy" still astounds. The song-writing and playing by all members are uniformly excellent, making this a must-have CD. So: REISSUE PLEASE!"
Still love this album after 28 years
pearlene@uswest.net | New Mexico | 08/08/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Great songs, Tony Colton and Albert Lee's vocals are great. Albert Lee's guitar is wonderful. I was so happy to get it on CD. The sound quality is lovely."
Rockin'tribute to American Country Music.
pearlene@uswest.net | 06/20/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"HH&F is a collage, a full composition, a seamless collection of odes to unrequitted love, to drinkin', quittin' drinkin, and to decadence and self effacement. "Everybody's Hustlin" cynically quips, "only barefoot librarians become vegetarians" and follows up with,"and everybody's readin' and I got no shoes on my feet, and that's a lotta lines to repeat." Country rap,in the cut of Mr. Cash. "Green Liquor" holds forth a funnytale of trying to abstain from booze by smokin' weed, and failing every time. Purchase the album alone for the electric mandolin/sax duet in "The More You Get, the More You Want". Sweet ballads such as "A Song For Suzie" almost chime into lounge music, but keep the overall theme on key, fulfilling the full range of tunesmithing. Don't let anyone borrow it, if you do buy it. I still treasure it's sophisticated lyrics and consumate muscicianship. Albert Lee, and two records of him. C'mon, you don't need me to tell you to click, click, click..."