Now I love ol’ Dave Jones as much as the next man, but while trying to recover from the blow of his artful departure, I’ve been burying myself in the work of another musician who’s also just cashed in his chips: the awesome Dan Hicks.
There must be love for him here – there’s no-one more Afterword, especially now he’s gorn an’ gone. We can all claim we have yards of shelving full of Dan Hicks bootlegs and a special shelf full of signed memorabilia gifted to us in obscure Texan bars by the man himself as we spent a happy evening trying unsuccessfully to gain intimate pleasures with a Lickette. Or two.
This chap is (was) the smirking alter-ego of JJ Cale crossed with the poker-faced subversion of the best Mike Nesmith songs – the ones he never played for those other jokers in the Monkees. He’s the Phil Harris Baloo to John Prine’s Bagheera.
Let’s hear it for your favourite Dan Hicks song. Someone? Surely it’s not just me that’s mournin’ the Dan?
Colin H says
Sorry, Vulp – I’d never heard a note of the man till now. I’m afraid, after a minute of the above, I have concluded that he’s not for me. It’s the voice. I feel bad now…
Vulpes Vulpes says
Another deletion from the Christmas card list.
*Sigh*
Johnny Concheroo says
Dan Hicks & his Hot Licks were briefly fashionable in the 70s and I think I heard their version of Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette before the 40s original by Red Ingle
mikethep says
You’re getting confused in your old age, @johnny-concheroo, SSTC was Tex Williams, Red Ingle is the Cigareets, Whuskey and Wild Wild Women hitmaker. And actually I think you’re thinking of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen who were briefly fashionable in the 70s. Apart from that, dead on!
The Hickster was always good value, not to be taken too seriously, as here.
Johnny Concheroo says
So I am. Apologies. I’m on iPhone only this week so I can’t check these things on Google.
mikethep says
I recommend the Google app.
Colin H says
That laugh track is really annoying, isn’t it?
mikethep says
It is…wasn’t *that* funny.
Kaisfatdad says
Great idea for a thread VV.
H.P. Saucecraft says
☝threadkiller
Mousey says
With respect Mr V we have had a minor celebration a few days ago thanks to @Mike_H
I loved Dan Hicks, Striking It Rich and Where’s The Money are brilliant – great original songs.
Unfortunately there’s not much on YouTube and that Flip Wilson clip with the laugh track gives the wrong impression, although it is the band’s classic lineup.
Vulpes Vulpes says
Missed that one – but even so, 7 responses? Seven. Pathetic. Shame on the Massive.
Re: that laugh track – in the comments under the clip on YouTube the speculation is that this is a rehearsal performance, as the broadcast performance – with the same stage backdrop – has the band in different clobber. Someone liberated the tape of the rehearsal and then ate the wrong mushrooms and plastered a random laugh track across it. Go figure. Doesn’t detract from a great song well played, and as you say, this was THE Hot Licks line-up and sadly there’s little video evidence of them around.
hubert rawlinson says
Found this one from 69
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPPsU-P5V-k
Mousey says
Having said “there’s not much on YouTube I now discover some kind person has uploaded this.
I cannot believe anyone could dislike this track.
Kaisfatdad says
Mr Hicks had a wonderful lightness of touch and always had marvellous musicians playing with him. Retro from the word go, he just inhabited his own unique musical world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQhPyEmUXcc