DAN READING: Hambone Way

Dan Reading

Hambone Way

© 2002 Dan Reading and HAM

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A mixed bag of blues featuring personality and humor, fueled by true stories and emotion.

tracks

1 Wait n' See
2 What's on my Mind?!
3 Beer Goggles
4 Sun For A Day
5 Stormy Monday (tribute...)*
6 Talk Ta Me
7 Money Manager
8 So What! (What's Love Anyway?)
9 Caused My Heart To Stray
10 No Sex
11 Baby Love
12 WRNR Live Clips (6-21-01)
13 Beer Goggles (orig. 4-trk version)

notes

Dan Reading is an exciting new blues artist from Southern Maryland currently residing in Florida. He has spent the last 12 years of his life polishing his art and making honest blues music. While living in Nashville he worked on his commercial songwriting skills and decided that blues was where his heart was. Dan started out playing drums in middle school, eventually picking up the guitar as well. On all of Dan's studio recordings he plays the drums, the guitar, and does all the vocal work. Dan writes all the lyrics and 95% of the music as well. Dan blends his humor and personality into as much of his music as possible.

Songs like "Beer Goggles," "Money Manager," and "No Sex," are prime examples of his humor at work. These songs are all from one portion of his life or another ... they may be funny, but they're real! Dan gets down in the alley sometimes too. Songs like "Baby Love," "So What!," and "Caused My Heart To Stray," show the serious side of his blues. He even tries his hand at hip hop on the amazing jam "Talk Ta Me." Hambone Way is a must for any serious blues fan. The variation of styles blended together with just the right touch of seasoning makes this a sweet CD! Check it out!!!!



Read what Mary4Music.Com had to say about Hambone Way!

DAN READING....."Hambone Way"
by Peter Lauro (The Blewzzman) - January 2003

How ironic that this years first CD to be reviewed will probably be a strong candidate for year end award consideration. That is how much I enjoyed Dan Reading's HAMBONE WAY. This excitingly unique and extremely interesting CD is positively pleasurable listening.

Dan's wonderful sense of humor and his real life's experiences obviously account for some interesting writing. Of the 12 tracks on the CD, all but one are originals. In addition to his quite talented song writing abilities, Dan is also responsible for about 90% of all the music on HAMBONE WAY. He plays all the drums and percussion, does most of the lead and rhythm guitar work, sings all of the vocals and plays bass and keyboard on several tracks. What little music not performed by Dan was provided by Gene Quade, Anton Flewelling, Ronnie Smith, Mike Stacey and Harlen Madison.

The musical versatility of this CD combined with Dan's story telling talent are several other reasons why it's highly enjoyable. HAMBONE WAY is a perfect blend of blues, jazz, soul and funk all done just right. Some of my favorite tracks were "SO WHAT"! (What's Love Anyway), a very slow and quite seductive blues cut, "CAUSED MY HEART TO STRAY," a real blazing blues cut and "BEER GOGGLES" where Dan confesses that his lady only looks good "when he has his beer goggles on?" Hmmmm.......what a small world.......could Dan and I have dated some of the same women?

Dan has told me that he is currently working on a new project and if it is anything like HAMBONE WAY, I am already looking forward to reviewing it.



Read What the Missouri Blues Society Said about Hambone Way!

Dan Reading - Hambone Way

On Blues Island Productions - #BIP00003

If you are expecting the usual traditional blues, this one may not be for you. Do you like your blues to be "out there" or for the lack of a better term "cutting edge"? Do you like your blues to be blended and twisted with other styles? Eureka! You have found it. Dan's style blends various styles with, and into his blues, from jazz to hip-hop. Strangely enough, after that statement, you will also find some regular old fashioned blues here too.

This CD starts out with Wait n' See, a very standard blues song about a relationship that has finally reached "that" point where it's time to dim the lights. It's a well done and easy to listen to tune, with nice guitar work. What's on my Mind? kicks the tempo up a few notches, it's a jumping song that has a southern rock feel, with a jazzy sound. Yes....You read that right, that equals unique and different. Beer Goggles is the blues version of that old country song "the girls all look prettier at closing time". This song is about how a girl looks better with your beer goggles on, it's a slow seven plus minute, talking & grooving tune delivered in the same style as Albert Collins "Dirty Dishes." Sun For A Day is a six minute plus easy listening guitar instrumental, the sound & style reminds me a lot of SRVs "Riviera Paradise", nice and smooth.

The fifth track Stormy Monday is where this CD takes a sharp turn. Yes this is the Stormy Monday you remember, but you have never heard it done this way before. Dan's version starts out with acoustic guitar, you hear talking lyrics, lyrics from many songs you know, blues and others, you will hear many artist's names too. You hear all this in an old style, it sounds like it was done with an antique microphone, maybe a harp mic. The song finally picks up, starts going and gets electric. Dan's Stormy Monday is a tribute to the many bluesmen who have played before him, at the same time this sounds ultra modern, it also has a down home quality, it is unique and different, and it grows on you. Talk Ta Me really goes off the scale. This one is like modern jazz blended with hip-hop and rap, it's a song about calling a girl, no doubt it is unlike anything you have heard before.

Money Manager gets back to the real deal, a slow grooving bluesy number with a jazzy feel. So What! has a nice smooth sound with piano & guitar, a real late night smoky bar sound on this one. Caused my Heart to Stray gets back up to speed, this is one of those songs that makes you ask, is that jazzy blues or bluesy jazz? Either way is ok with me, more serious and longer guitar solo's on this one, it's got a good groove. No Sex, do I really need to explain this lyric? Well.... His baby has left him, and this is what he's getting. This is another talking blues song like Beer Goggles , you get the talking blues with some nice guitar solo's between. Baby Love goes back to that old time acoustic sound. Only guitar and vocals on this one, nicely done but the song ends quickly. The final tracks on this CD are live bits and pieces from a radio show at WBNR, and the last track is a live cut of Beer Goggles.

It is really tough to categorize Dan's music, yes it's blues, but it's got a lot mixed in. You really have to give Dan an "A" for originally, in his own words, he is not trying to be the next BB King or SRV. This is obvious when you listen to him play, he is doing his own thing here, he's not trying to be someone else, just himself. Some of the songs on this CD are just regular blues, others are like nothing you have ever heard. If I had to compare Dan to anyone for overall sound and style, it would be Hamilton Loomis, they share a similar sound, both in voice and music. Strangely enough, Hamilton's nick name is "Hambone", coincidence or not, you decide. If you are Hamilton fan, you will probably like Dan too. I hear bits and pieces of other artist's in this CD, and that adds up to something interesting. As I said in the beginning, this isn't the usual, and that can be a good thing if you are getting board with your blues. For more info visit www.danblues.com

Chris Puyear - moblues.org


Read What Simon Aguilar from KYNR "CRAZY COYOTE BLUES RADIO" said about Hamone Way!

"Adding elements of Funk with creativity (an acoustic Funky version of the classic T. Bone Walker "Stormy Monday" that builds, while it slowly takes you and never lets go. Blues is good to listen to, but can you get my Hips to move?) as well as R & B and Soul to tunes like "Talk Ta Me", Dan Reading is adding to the Blues genre while keeping to his roots. Few artists can play with virtuosity, few can sing with unrestrained passion; Mr. Reading can do both!"

Keep charting new territory!

Simon Aguilar
KYNR "Crazy Coyote Blues"


Read What Blues On Stage said about Hambone Way!

Dan Reading is a new name to me, so it was great to hear this good album. Dan who currently lives in North Carolina, has been honing his talent around Memphis and North Carolina. The album has 13 tracks on it, and is quite varied. All are original songs by Dan, except for "Stormy Monday." Dan plays guitar, drums and sings so he is kept busy throughout.

"Wait n' See" starts the CD off at a steady pace and is a bit of a throw away song, but it still sounds good. "Beer Goggles" is featured twice, the first time as a Studio recording and as the last track on the album in it's original 4 track demo form. "Beer Goggles" is a fine song and is a mellow melodic piece of blues telling the tale of how good his girl looks while he is under the influence of beer, yet the sting of the tale is that she really looks worse than any nightmare he's ever had!, there is also some great slow blues guitar work during the song from Dan. "Stormy Monday," name checks some of the greatest blues songs and artists at the commencement of the tune. Dan then settles into an echoing vocal, which sees the song starts off at a slow pace and builds to an urgent pace, only to drop away to a good leisurely pace. "Baby Love" no not the Supremes one, this is Dan on solo acoustic guitar accompanied by his gritty vocal, and very good it is too. "Caused My Heart To Stray" is a great organ led modern sounding Soul/Blues piece of delight, most definetly one of my favorites on the album. "Talk Ta Me" is another song with that lovely organ and I suppose you could say, this number is slightly influenced by Rap and Hip Hop which gives it a fresh sounding feel. I loved the tinkering of the piano keys at the start of "So What! (What's Love Anyway?)" which adds to the laid back feel of the song, which features Dan in a mournfully reflective look at love.

I liked the feel of this album and the songs on a whole are good. It's a good start hopefully to a successful career for Dan Reading. The CD is worth seeking out and can be obtained from CD Baby.

by Dave Thomas
Review date: February 2003
www.mnblues.com

reviews

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  • One of the best blues discs...
    author: Good Time Blues radio program from Argentina

    "One of the best blues disc we´ve heard in 2002! Congratulation for your fresh and excellent blues music!" Good Time Blues Gustavo Rozenberg

  • sometimes traditional, sometimes modern but always uniquely Dan...
    author: Carolina music.net

    Dan's new CD, Hambone Way is a collection of well written, well sung songs that draw from a deep well of emotions. Easily the best blues CD of 2002, Dan Reading is a force in the Blues today and we can expect more exciting things from Dan in the future.

  • author: Justin Davis

    You can definately tell this Cd has lots of heart and soul poured into it. I even put the CD in Irene Cara's hands. This CD has such a good rythm and beat that my 14 month old son starts dancing when ever I play it. I play it every morning while I drive my son to daycare. It helps me start the day out on a positive note. Can't wait for the next one. Keep'em comin Dan Reading.

  • author: Fred Willson

    Got your CD, loved it. Also heard you on Whole Wheat Radio in Talkeetna, Alaska www.talkeetna-alaska.com/radio.php. Great stuff.

  • YOU GOTTA GET IT!!!!
    author: kelly

    I ordered this CD and the minute I opened the package, I stuck it in the CD player. I haven't taken it out since. I can't stop listening to it. I've played it for all my friends and they all agree it is a great blend of music. The lyrics, guitar, drums, everything....YOU WILL BE MISSING OUT IF YOU PASS THIS CD UP! Dan Reading has done a FINE job of producing this album. His compilation of songs and diversity of sound is amazing. Check it out!

  • If Blues is what you want, Dan Reading provides an ample supply!
    author: Patrick "Skizzo" Greene

    Dan Reading possesses a soul bred strictly for music. This CD is the epitome of the blues. I popped this CD in two days ago and have YET to remove it from my player. I personally guarantee good times, hard laughs, snappin’ fingers, bobbin’ heads and a plethora of “HELL YEAH’S”. You will relate to his lyrics in one way or another and you will feel every note soak into you as you close your eyes and tap your foot to the essence that IS Dan Reading. Enjoy!

  • Hysterical, yet real and so true!!!!
    author: Natasha Stiles

    Hambone Way is an outstanding collection of songs to which all people can relate. This CD is a must have for everyone. Dan really shines on this album with witty lyrics and musical talent that few people possess.

  • Great CD!!
    author: Scott Mulligan

    I really enjoyed this one. Great lyrics, great guitar licks. This is one you can definitely relate with.

  • Full of smooth grooves and smooth Blues Guitar!!
    author: Ray Sexton

    This guy is full of talent!!! Check out this CD to hear a guy that plays everything on the CD. Guitar, Bass, Drums, and sings. Very impresive! It's fun with instant Blues Classics like "Beer Goggles" and "So What!". You also must check this CD out for his groove song "Talk Ta Me". Dan Reading has real soul and knows how to groove. This guy can rap too!!! Check it out!! It's worth it. A++++

  • You do more than listen to this music, YOU FEEL IT!
    author: JAY BROWN

    This CD moves with a strong blues rythm that makes you want to move. This is music that you can enjoy with or without your beer goggles on, by yourself, or with friends. Blues is all about feeling and this CD has it!

  • Awesome. Loved the sexual content
    author: Jamie Hartnett

    This was a refreshing new CD. I liked how I could relate to the songs. Especially "Beer Goggle"

  • author: Kristin Davis

    This was a phizat CD. I have all the Dan Reading CD's, and this is by far the most poignant display of his music and talent.

  • Fresh new music all types of people, all ages, can relate to and enjoy.
    author: Joey B & the Buttifuco's

    "Hambone Way" blows us away. Beer Goggles gives everyone a good down-home feeling. Clearly Dan has a knack for writing and producing music that we can relate to and enjoy over and over. We love it and hope Dan keeps it coming.

  • An awesome CD!
    author: Doug Myers

    I was blown away when I first heard this CD. Dan combines great songwriting, killer guitar licks, great drums, and humorous lyrics into an awesome blues style. It's one of the best blues CD's I've heard in a long time.

  • Absolute must buy for any blues lover!!!!
    author: Brian Watson

    The CD touched home in many ways. Each track gives you something different and keeps you wanting more. The music is smooth and relaxing and the lyrics let you know exactly what the artist was thinking. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!

  • Something for everyone
    author: Landon Fitzgerald

    I was not a fan of blues music until I listened to this CD. Mr. Reading has a sharp wit matched with equally sharp guitar licks. Every song has something different to offer. Everyone who likes to have fun listening to music must add this album to their collection. You will be singing along on the second listening...and third...and fourth...

  • Packs mad blues punch!!!!
    author: Blues Island Productions

    Tons of fun! Beer Goggles is a classic! No Sex and Money Manager are hilarious. Great guitar and drums, smokin' keys, and thumpin bass. Soulful vocals with plenty of personality soakin' through. A worthwhile contribution to the blues genre. Def worth a listen!!!

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