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Blues Underground Network Hans Theessink & Terry Evans "Delta Time" (USA) |
 An absolute musical jewel is the best way I can describe the newest Hans Theessink & Terry Evans release, "Delta Time".
Hans Theessink has been plying his trade now for over 40 years, and has 20+ albums to his credit. Theessink has earned the respect of many celebrated blues great with even Bo Diddley calling him, "One Helluva Guitar Player". The career of Terry Evans is also long and illustrious, now spanning over 50 years, with several albums under his own name. He has also had a long standing relationship as backing vocalist for Ry Cooder. Countless productions feature Evans soulful and silky vocals, including those of John Lee Hooker, Eric Clapton, and John Fogerty, to name just a few. "Delta Time" marks the second collaboration of these immense musical titans.
"Delta Time" consists of 13 just absolutely terrific Tracks, featuring 4 songs of Hans Theessink's. Other songs featured on "Delta Time" included "Heaven's Airplane" a Traditional song with arrangement by Theessink. J.B. Lenoir's "Down In Mississippi", Jimmy Reed's "Honest I Do", and Herbert Newman's "The Birds And The Bees", to name a few. Now one may be curious as to how "The Birds And The Bees" made it onto this album, as I was, but it all made perfect sense once one reads the answer to, Why did we include "The Birds And The Bees"? Simply put, Terry Evans was one of the singers on the original recording of "The Birds And The Bees", as a member of the Turnarounds. He says singing on this International Hit was the first real money he made, and therefore, "reason enough to revisit this happy classic". I always liked that song and it was served up just right on "Delta Time", and did not feel out of place, in the least.
"Delta Time" opens with the title Track, and from the first few moments into that song, one should start preparing themselves to be awestruck, because as this album continues on, that is exactly how you are going to start feeling. It will first come by way of the stellar Guitar Pickin', progressing with Theessink's amazing Baritone voice, and Evans heavenly soulful voice. Now to all that, add in Ry Cooder's magic on several Tracks and the Backing Vocals of not only Terry Evans, but also Arnold McCuller and Willie Greene Jr., on 5 of the Tracks and if the word "Wow" doesn't pop into you mind, you just ain't livin' my friend.
Highlights certainly abound on "Delta Time", with Track 3 "It Hurts Me To" being a great one with a wonderful slow duet with Theessink and Evans. Singing such as that just makes me really hope that this great partnership finds it's way into more albums together.
Of the 3 Tracks that Ry Cooder contributes his legendary Guitar work, Track 4 "How Come People Act Like The That", was my favorite. Ry Cooder does a great job on this fun uptempo song. It was a special treat to hear him play on "Delta Time".
Backing Vocals are also a great part of "Delta Time", being featured on 5 of the Tracks, with my favorite being the Gospel Infused "Heaven's Airplane". This one had all one could expect from a great Gospel tune and more.
For "Delta Time", Hans Theessink & Terry Evans brought every bit of their combined 90+ years of living and playing the blues to the table. Add in the combined experience of Ry Cooder, and the rest of the supporting cast and what we have here is nothing less then a rare musical masterpiece, one that has quickly climbed the ladder as one of 2012's best releases.
I have no problem enthusiastically giving "Delta Time" my highest rating of 5*****.
Highly Recommended and Thoroughly Enjoyed...
Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)
https://bluesundergroundnetwork.com/
Listen To Samples Here... http://www.amazon.com/Delta-Time-Hans-Theessink/dp/B008ATDN5M
Additional Artist Info... http://www.theessink.com/?lang=en
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