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Album Details

• Artist: John Hammond
• Album: Wicked Grin
• Label: Point Blank
• Year of Release: 2001
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2003-03-29

If, for no other reason, Tom Waits was too eclectic to reach the masses (most likely the case) then John Hammond has done a favour to those people who have never ventured into Waits territory. Wicked Grin is just as much a tribute as a re-interpretation of Tom Waits material. In fact, Tom lends a hand with production duties and we can ironically hear him backing up John on a few tracks with guitar and vocals. Hammond has to get a little sloppy to come down to Waits’ unique style of folk-blues and does very well. Tracks include “Heartattack and Vine�, “Buzz Fledderjohn�, “I Know I’ve Been Changed�, and “2:19� to name a few. John doesn’t stray far from the originals (how could you) but does subtle reinterpretations of the 13 classic Waits tracks. We also have the pleasure of hearing the harmonica genius of Charlie Musselwhite on a couple tracks. This album will most likely bring more people into the mysterious world of Tom Waits.

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