Check out:
Hook Herrera & Band (USA)
01/10/05
Muziekodroom
Just like every other sane person out there, I have the blues
once in a while, and when my dad (a fan of blues harmonica records) told me
Hook Herrera was returning to play a gig not even ten miles from my parents'
place and invited me to come over, how was I gonna refuse? Herrera's set a
year ago had been brought up by my dad at least a dozen times and if you ever
get to know him, you'll know it must've made quite an impression. 
The
previous gig was more acoustic-oriented, just Hook (playing harp and guitar)
and a friend sitting in on guitar, but the big thrill started when they got
to what it's all about - the communal aspect - and turned the gig into a massive
jamfest that lasted until 2.30 AM. This time around, the Italian-Mexican American
with Indian roots (are you still there?) was backed by a full band, with no
less than drummer Julian Vaugh (who's played with Albert and BB King)
and two members of Dutch band the Backbones on guitar/bass. As a product of
many influences (a big family, trips all across the US and Europe), it's hard
to file Hook (whose real name is Steven) under a simple genre moniker. I mean,
the guy grew up on the Andrew Sisters, polka's, Charlie Musselwhite and Jimmy
Reed, shared the stage with an impressive list of blues greats when he moved
to Texas (Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, Hollywood Fats (an unsung guitar hero,
if you ask me)) and even ended up playing with the Allman Brothers and Gov't
Mule for a while (as can be heard on the latter's Life Before Insanity,
for instance). With credentials like that, it's almost ridiculous that the
guy isn't more widely known (and I must admit I haven't heard any of his albums,
either) and the set he delivered with his band only strengthened my conviction
that the hundreds of artists I'm familiar doesn't even scratch the tip of
the iceberg. Anyway, the venue was packed (word must've spread the preceding
12 months), almost annoyingly hot and Hook must've sensed it was the right
moment for a steaming set of blues. As such, his two hour performance (half
an hour to warm up, a break, and then 90 more minutes) almost served as a
compendium of blues genres, as he managed to incorporate "Dust My Broom"-variations,
Bo Diddley's jungle rhythms, flat-out Texas blues and undiluted Chicago fever.
While he'll tell you he's about the lousiest guitar player on earth, his ragged,
energetic playing (usually on slide) was loudly appreciated by the crowd and
a nice counterpart to the slicker Westcoast-style of Steve Backbone. Songs
like "Shake Your Moneymaker" were raucous and tough, capable of setting any
roadhouse on fire, while during other songs, Herrera's roots were reminiscent
of The Blazers' roots-rock or the late Lester Butler, whose intense style
he managed to nail down during a magnificent slow blues in the encore. It
wasn't exactly the slick blues variation you see so/too often on television,
as the sound set-up was pushed to the max, sweat flying in all directions
and one shuffle, boogie and thrilling blues followed the next. It was noticeable
a few times that Herrera and Vaugh had only played twice before with the Dutchies,
but communication saves everything and ultimately the show was an excellent
showcase for Herrera's commanding style, both on the guitar as well as (and
especially) on the harmonica. Not bad for a kid from East San José. If you
get the chance, check him out, whatever the cost is.
Reader comments: Hans Geurts (NL): |