True & Blue

The year blues music moved up another notch! That’s this year! Hans Theessink and Terry Evans have a duo CD out entitled “True & Blue” and it is a masterpiece! www.theessink.com should get you there. You can also download this CD from ITunes. So forget the rest of this review, and order one. It’s that good! If you are any kind of a guitar enthusiast somewhere along the line you have, heard, seen, or been affected by Hans Theessink. With 50 years of playing, over 7,500 concerts, and 30 albums, Hans is one of Europe’s most outstanding blues players! With his fabulous vocals, unbelievable guitar playing and harmonica Hans is an International force in the blues! Terry Evans, from the Mississippi side of the Atlantic Ocean, also has about 50 years of blues experience under his belt. His voice and playing are not only outrageous, but fit in with Hans like biskits and gravy! Getting together to play some of the real old school classic blues, these two wonderful gentlemen deliver the goods! This is acoustic and electric “Small Still Voice,” blues! I mean no crashing drums, no screaming pedals, no yelling, just down, and dirty, funky blues from two unbelievable singers and players. If you like classic, quality, slow blues, here you go. These are live cuts with no overdubs, and nowhere to hide. I was really happy to hear Big Bill Broonzy’s “Glory of Love.” I could never understand why more people don’t cover this tune, but here it is, and double funky. “Mother Earth” is another favorite, and a great version of “Crossroad Blues.” In fact every cut is outstanding. Even a long version of “Maybelline!” These two outstanding musicians are something to experience! When they both get together it is a very moving night of real blues. They just take their time, and let the blues play itself. I can’t imagine how much fun they had making this CD. Slow Blues in the cool of the evening. Blues dripping on the floor and puddling up to your ankles. Everything you want from slide guitar, to whisper hints of painful times. You WILL NOT miss a full band here. Downright thick blues syrup. Hans Theessink and Terry Evans….”True & Blue.” Enjoy at your extreme leisure, and thank you gentlemen. One Love, blue barry – smoky mountain blues society.