Born in The Netherlands, 52-year-old guitarist/vocalist Dennis Schut has lived in Brussels for the last two years while working with the European Union. He was first introduced to Hank Williams' music on 78s, from his father's guitar playing and singing, from others serving in World War II, and by listening to the Armed Forces Network. Dennis Schut was guitar player and driver for Charlie Moore during his 1976 and 1979 European tours, and they recorded three LPs together. Schut formed Spruce Pine, a traditional bluegrass band, in 1977.
This interesting tribute album to the music of Hank Williams features some fine European musicians. Dennis' oldest son, Ralph, is 21 now and has been playing with the group for about a decade. On the day he finished high school, Ralph moved to study and work in the Czech Republic, largely because of music opportunities there. He picks acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin, banjo and dobro. He sings "You Win Again." Ralph was chosen as the Czech Republic's best bluegrass guitarist by the national bluegrass music association (BA). He currently plays guitar in the Rolls Boys bluegrass band (from Jihlava), and banjo in the Slovakian band Blueland, the 2003 European Bluegrass Band of the Year.
Dennis' younger son, Christopher Schut, plays acoustic bass, electric guitar and sings "Your Cheating Heart." Chris plays all bluegrass instruments for a hobby. Rounding out the band are the highlight musicians on this CD - Spruce Pine band member Peter Meciar (a 21-year-old from Slovakia) on pedal steel guitar and dobro, and special guest fiddler Pepa Malina (of the Czech Republic). Malina is reported to be the best fiddle player in the country and comes from a musical family, with brothers prominently involved in bluegrass. He studied classical violin at the Prague conservatorium.
Being a traditional bluegrass band, Spruce Pine emphasizes the instruments of that genre, along with pedal steel. They choose standard classic fare for their Hank Williams tribute with many favorites like "Jambalaya," "Why Don't You Love Me," "Your Cheatin' Heart," "Mind Your Own Business," "Hey Good Looking," "Setting the Woods on Fire," and "Kaw Liga." Hank Williams songs often find their way into bluegrass band repertoires. And, the vision of a bluegrass tribute to Hank might be best documented on Mercury Records' sampler, "A Picture of Hank: The New Bluegrass Way" (Mercury Nashville 314-528-333-2) with singers like Ernie Thacker, Terry Eldredge, Harley Allen, Ernie Sykes, Don Rigsby and Ronnie McCoury.
On Spruce Pine's album, "Won't You Sometimes Think of Me" was recorded in 1991 with band members at that time: Dennis Schut, Adrian Farmer, Hendrik Ahrend, Ingeborg Schultze, and Rienk Janssen. It appeared as the title cut on Spruce Pine's 1991 LP release. They then recorded "A Tribute to Charlie Moore/Charlie Moore Live in Europe" in 1994, on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of Charlie Moore´s death. "Hank's Old Scratched Record," written by Robert Ackerman (of Palmer, AK.) and Jim Murphy (of New Jersey), is another bonus track which features only the guitar and vocal of Murphy, a member of a bluegrass/country band called Jim Murphy and The Pine Barons. He sings with a classic mountain feeling, and it's nice to hear the project close with an original.
This album has been met with a hot reception in the Czech Republic where there's a strong affinity for classic country and bluegrass. The fall of Communism there opened the door to a flood of new ideas and cultural exchange. Prior to its official release, an advance copy's prominent airplay on a Czech radio station resulted in some tracks on that country's "Top Ten" (or "Hitparade" as it's called there). That provides a little insight about how The Czech Republic is embracing classic country and Hank's extraordinary music. Consistent with the style, there are few vocal harmonies on this tribute album although some are added to the mix on "Pan American." Some tenor harmony could have embellished the chorus of "Your Cheatin' Heart." The lead vocals of Schut are pleasant, and the troubador delivers his lyrics with earnest effort and personality. While not of the emotionally-charged quality that makes the hair stand up on the nape of your neck, the vocals are served up with a rustic purity that's at the heart of classic country music.
Extensive liner notes are provided by A.W. Blake of Bibb Promotional in West Blocton, Alabama who has also been involved in promotion at the Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery, Alabama (see www.hank50.com). Nice color photos of band members, and Dennis sporting a western zoot suit, are appreciated. There have been many tributes to the greatest country singer of all time. Elvis Costello, The Carpenters, Bob Dylan, Elvis Bishop and Bruce Springsteen are among the thousands (or maybe even more) who have covered Hank's songs. One never tires of his songs, and his music continues to sell as evidenced by Spruce Pine's bluegrassy tribute. (Joe Ross)
Many thanks to MR. Joe Ross - http://www.talentondisplay.com/joeross.html
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