Butch

Butch Hancock's self-produced "War and Peace", his first solo CD in almost 9 years, meets face to face with the mountains of lies that appear to be rising higher and higher all around us and all inside us, and reminds us: the times they are STILL a'changin'.

From the riveting acapella opener, a call-for-peace/prayer/warning/urge-to-compassion, to the final cut, a 7-minute plus get-out-the-vote anthem which would set Woody Guthrie, Willie Dixon and Mississippi John Hurt dancing proudly in their graves, Hancock, the impeccable lyricist, pulls no metaphorical punches as he questions all kinds of authority: overt, covert, exterior, interior, imagined, and unimagined.

His voice, still warm and scratchy after all these years, blends with his own harmonies and those of his long time running buddies, Fellow Flatlanders Joe Ely and Jimmie Dale Gilmore, who join Butch with harmonies on "The Master Game" and "Cast the Devils Out". Butch's new melodies are as memorable as the Guthrie-ish "borrowings" of melodies on "Cast the Devils Out" and "Great Election Day", and on "Toast" he echoes the dreamlike would-be spiritual perceptions we could all lay claim to on any given late-night drinking occasion. What's more, it's done to the accompaniment of old timey banjo and cathedral organ! Of the relentlessly rocking "Old Man, Old Man," Austin guitarist Charlie Sexton was heard to exclaim, "Man, that's so 60's ...it's like ...The Doors! I love it!" Billy Joe Shaver's favorite is "When the Good and the Bad Get Ugly," and Butch dedicates "Road Map for the Blues" to the late Clifford Antone who made him play it repeatedly in the backstage of Antone's blues club in Austin.

Butch plays over a dozen instruments on this finely mixed cd (mixed by the amazing Chet Himes). And though he claims that the only other picker (Flatlander guitarist Rob Gjersoe) "adds the real touch of class" to the arrangements, a single listening to these songs reveals surprises and a continuity that...calls for many repeats!!!

Customer Reviews:

All arounf good album.......2007-03-11

The music is pleasing and the lyrics are right on (or at least make you think). What more can you ask?
OK. It was unfair to just drop the above review, as it is not in the least bit helpful to someone looking for an album they can enjoy on both a musical and a social level, or for those who would prefer to keep their heads in the sand. So, here goes:
War and Peace is a rousing celebration of the progressive world view. If you think George Bush is doing a good job and we should be sacrificing our children and the Iraqi children so that he Dubya can feel like a man, and that 9/11 justified turning America into Soviet Russia or Nazi Germany; You will not like this album. But, if you believe in the core American values of freedom, fairness, justice and mercy; you will love the lyrics. If you think that good music is categorized by insane screaming and music played too loud to understand the words, or alternately by a singer that sounds like they have a severe sinus infection, or is trying to get you in bed ala Larry the Lounge Lizard, then this isn't your type of music. But if you like highly skilled musicians and clear singing, in a wide range of styles then you will enjoy this album.
Is that better?

Compelling as ever!.......2007-02-18

I have been listening to Butch Hancock's music for many many years now and it is never short of superb. The new album is no exception! This time he turns his exceptional ability with words on to the state of the world & to the politics of conflict. His songs tell it like it is & leave you in no doubt of his opinions but they do so with humor and without the bitterness and threat that can often leave an artist appearing no better than those they would criticize, If you like Bob Dylan or Dan Bern's way with words and tune then do explore Butch Hancock's extensive back catalog. Butch is also a talented painter & photographer (amongst many other things!) & has very intentionally remained outside the corporate music industry for all his days - had he chosen to join it then believe me everybody would know his name & work. Explore a unique storytelling talent - you will not be disappointed!

Gorgeous, deep, and lasting.......2007-02-09

This is one of the best albums I've heard in a long time, and it gets better with every listen. The opening track, "Give Them Water," is an a capella anthem I could live by. Other standout tracks are "When the Good and the Bad Get Ugly" and "Road Map for the Blues." Hancock's expressive voice shines a few rays of light into the depressing reality of life in post-2001 America.

Don't say it unless you've something to say..........2007-01-21

Butch is a fine original Texas songwriter from the Great High Plains but this collection is an example of when songwriters think they have something to say about politics but truly don't. Typical clever lyrics as with all Hancock recordings but the message is more worn out and tired than war itself. Artists would do well to have depth of knowledge on their subjects, maybe that's why the rule: write about that which you know. In this CD Butch shows his political and social thoughts are about deep as the rivers flowing around Lubbock.

War and Peace.......2007-01-10

As a fan of Buth and his song contributions to the Flatlanders, I was disappointed to find many of the songs to be unsubtle, strident polemics against war or the obstacles to peace. The melodies were not memorable. It is in sharp contrast to Neil Youngs most recent release dealing with the same topic.