Hatchetmen (the) – Choppin’ Around
Big Beat Records NED 11 [1985]
Real Gone Hound Dog – Johnson’s Rag – Right Now – Why Don’t You Do Right – Pelican Jump – Deacon Jones
The Hatchetmen released this mini-album (six tracks) in 1985. The group consisted of six musicians (vocals, guitar, double bass, drums and two saxophones), including John Wallace (Stargazers) and Dot and Tony (Howlin’ Wilf and the Vee-Jays).
On paper, the combo promised to be exciting, but the potential of the group does not seem to be found on vinyl. The repertoire is borrowed from Chuck Higgins, Amos Milburn, Peggy Lee, Louis Jordan and Good Lewis. However, the songs drag and lack energy, and the singer tends to do too much.
In addition, the production of Vic Keary, who worked with Big Jay McNeely and Little Willie Littlefield, gives a very modern sound to the whole, closer to Joe Jackson’s Jumpin’ Jive than Rent Party, for example. In the end, there are still beautiful saxophone parts (Keary is also a saxophonist, and you can hear it in the way he puts the instrument forward), and Dot, who is always perfect, although too discreet. It’s not much.
Fred ”Virgil” Turgis