Wayne "The Train" Hancock Swingtime

Wayne Hancock does for roots music what Brian Setzer did to help the resurgence of Swing. A nostalgic look at a mix of Western Swing, Rockabilly, and plain old honky tonk. If Hank Williams were here today, he would be performing songs by "the Train". Light uplifting numbers that incorporate pure country roots vocals with superb yet simplistic music.  That is not to say the music is
simple, just the approach to the classic sound.

Wayne's pure knowledge of the Americana sound is refreshing. This is exactly what I picture when I think of true Americana music. If you close your eyes and listen you can see yourself sitting in a bar in Texas in the late 50s while the house band plays, and the chicks and fellas are grooving to the pure Texas sound of the house band . This CD is as  pure to the roots of Country as I've heard since the first BR-549 album, near flawless in most aspects, and more
addicting than caffeine.

"The Train" and company had more fun than naked jello wrestling when they recorded this CD, it oozes with wit, style, and great musicians. Besides Wayne, you have Eddie Rivers on steel guitar, Rick Paul Skelton and Dave Biller both  handling the lead guitar with charisma, Rick Ramirez on the upright guitar, Dan Enriquez slappin' the bass, and Bob "Texaco" Stafford adding the trombone. As a unit, these guys play like they are still in a time warp, however that is what makes this CD so refreshing with so many artists today trying to "Crossover" into the pop world, "The Train" remains whole heartedly true to the roots.

The CD should garner a lot of attention for Wayne, there are a lot of fans for this simple and catchy music. "The Train" has an air about him that screams for you to listen, and I was so pleasantly surprised when I heard the contageous sound that this CD threw my way, a country purists dream come true. Although the CD flows like a brook after a rain storm, there are a few standouts here in this treasure chest. "Juke Joint Jumpin' " , "Thunderstorms and Neon Signs", a great heartfelt tune about loneliness "We Three" which states "My Echo, My Shadow and Me" and the pure hoppin' version of "Route 66"  will bring you back to the golden days of Country rockabilly style, just give it a chance, you'll be won over.

   ( 5 Stars out of 6 )