Americana, roots music, folk and blues: STEADY AS WE GO presents Hank and his stellar band in splendid form. Recorded live on the studio floor, “this is the album I’ve been wanting to do for decades”, says Hank. “My voice has never sounded better, everybody really got into the songs, the production is top notch.”
With Tom Etter on guitars, Michel Poffet on upright bass and Simon Baumann on drums, the eleven songs were cut in three days. “A choice selection of guitars and amps, a Slinglerland Rolling Bomber drum kit from 1942, a really classy collection of microphones and preamps. But most of all: Four musicians doing what they love and what they do best – playing and singing great songs. We recorded like they used to in the 50s and 60s, everybody in the same room. There are no tricks, no fixing things. The idea behind this is that you, the listener, are there with us. What you hear is what we played and sang.”
And play and sing they did! New originals, old traditionals, raw juke joint blues, wailing steel guitars and a rhythm section second to none. Channeling Lonnie Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt and Washboard Sam, veering off into dusty Western Swing territory, a nod to Randy Newman and a tribute to the sorely missed Tom Petty – this album’s got it all.
The guests: Hendrix Ackle played the 1929 upright Burger & Jacobi piano, Michael Flury brought his trombone, Tinu Heiniger his clarinet, Jürg fuyuzui Zurmühle his mastery on the japanese Shakuhachi and Rhani Krija from Sting’s band played percussion. Topping off the sublime production work is the mastering by Stephen Marcussen who has been responsible for favorites like Johnny Cash’s American Recordings, Tom Petty’s Wildflowers, albums by the Rolling Stones, Prince, Ry Cooder, Audioslave, Eels and at least half of your record collection.