Hank Shreve Band – That Way
Self-Release – 2023
10 tracks; 44 minutes
In the heart of the Pacific Northwest, the Hank Shreve Band has unleashed their fourth musical endeavor, "That Way," a self-released gem that transcends the boundaries of traditional blues. Clocking in at 44 minutes and featuring 10 tracks, this album is a testament to the band's versatility and instrumental prowess.
Brothers Hank and Bill Shreve anchor the band, their musical talents extending beyond their primary instruments of harmonica and bass. The duo, along with their adept bandmates Ken Luker, Tim Donahue, and guest musician Ron Andreini, crafts a sonic journey that explores blues, jazz, and country landscapes. Their collective expertise on lap-steel, drums, percussion, guitar, keys, trumpet, and sax ensures a rich and diverse musical palette.
The album opens with the title track, "That Way," where Hank's lap-steel infuses a country flavor into the blues, expressing admiration for the way his girl treats him. The old-timey feel of "Don't Know" follows, featuring a loping rhythm and jazzy overtones provided by sax, trumpet, and harp. Big Bill Broonzy's classic "I Feel So Good" undergoes a ferocious transformation, blending pounding piano, exhilarating harp, and guitar breaks, breathing new life into the time-tested favorite.
A highlight of the album is the band's exploration of New Orleans music in the seven-minute opus, "Hoodoo Roux." Here, the late Norton Buffalo's influence is felt as the band weaves a tapestry of voodoo queens and black cat bones, showcasing their love for the rich musical traditions of the Crescent City. "Applegate Road," a funky tune written and sung by guitarist Ken, adds a contemporary twist to the blues, offering solo opportunities to the rhythm section.
The obscure 1958 rockabilly track "I'm Out" gets a bluesy makeover with a stop-start rhythm, plucked guitar solos, and a stormy harp performance. "Back In Your Life," a collaborative effort by Hank, Bill, and Ken, features Bill's lead vocals and a dynamic interplay of instruments, including a tour-de-force harp solo. The instrumental "The Thing" showcases the lively synergy between Hank's harp and Ken's guitar, leading into Bill's soulful "Think," where horns and a bounding rhythm section contribute to the track's larger-than-life sound.
The album concludes with an unexpected yet successful cover of Wayne Shorter's jazz classic, "Footprints," with Hank's harp taking center stage alongside guest pianist Ron Andreini.
"That Way" by the Hank Shreve Band is a blues odyssey that defies conventions, seamlessly incorporating jazz and country influences into the genre's core. Hank Shreve's virtuosity on the harp, coupled with the band's collective talent, results in an album that is not just diverse but a celebration of blues evolution. From the deep South to the Pacific Northwest, the Hank Shreve Band proves that the blues is a living, breathing entity that continues to reinvent itself.
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