Johnny "Spazz" Hatton - Gospel Bop

It occurs to me that we are incredibly remiss in not mentioning the first solo release of one of our favorite bass players on the planet, Johnny Hatton, AKA Spazz, best known as upright bass player for the Brian Setzer Orchestra/Rockabilly Riot/Trio/Etc:



It is available for purchase at CDBaby or you can post a message directly on Spazz's Facebook page to order an autographed copy.

The songs are primarily rockabilly versions of traditional gospel tunes, with bass featured quite nicely, and Spazz doing a very capable job on vocals too. The CD also features the HDVDL's own Alex "Scatman" Acevedo on backing vocals!

It's a fun CD by a talented musician and a truly wonderful fella. Go buy it now!!

And duh, I'm also very remiss in mentioning....

You can get the CD as well at Spazz's new website: JohnnyHatton.com

And, the CD features Bernie Dresel on all percussion!

that word "remiss" is as irritating as my friends use of "redonkulous"

I did do my part in supporting Spazz mind you, ergo you may forgive my cynicism since it is the crux of my existence

Now, now...don't be dissin' on da remissin'...

I'm with you on 'redonkulous', however. Heinous.

Thanks for the tip on the CD, Andi. I think I need one of those.

And now I will use a random emoticon (another word I kinda hate) that I have never used before:



Have a good one! Keep cool!

just ordered mine

Excellent job on the cover photo, Andi !!!

I was wonderin' when this was finally hitting the streets! I guess they were waitin' for the right talent to come along to shoot the artwork!

Fantastic photgraphy, Andi. I love the panoramic gatefold shot. I believe I recognize a few characters within!

Love the sound, love the harmonies! In addition to the tight tenor harmonies, there's a couple of tracks featuring David Jackson on contrabass, giving it a tasty Jordanaires sound. There's a couple of times where it might be a little buried in the mix, but I love that it's there at all.

While the album's heavy on 'billy bop, it's not just a rockabilly effort. It has everything from Hank Williams to Rockabilly to the Allman-esque opening of "Come to Jesus" (though Bernie seems to be channeling drumming legend Steve Gadd on that one) to the biting wit of what I would call a "bonus track" - "What's It Like in Hell." Shoot, Spazz gives you the names of the artists who have inspired him on each of the tracks in the liner notes, and the influences include Hank, Marty Stuart, Grandpa Jones, and Alison Krauss. He cites Little Richard as an influence on the classic "Shake a Hand." I'm aware of Little Richard's version, but I actually prefer this one, with the Smiley Lewis - Fats Domino piano and one of the more impassioned vocal performances by John Hatton on the entire album. Most of the other tunes keep a pretty rockin' pace, and when you consider the terrific harmony work, there isn't a lot of room for John to stretch out vocally. While slap-back and harmonies rule over most of the album, John delivers every lead vocal with clarity and conviction.

I would not let the "gospel" in "Johnny Hatton's Gospel Bop" scare you off this album. The music absolutely moves you the instant you hear it, and the preaching will reach those who are ready to hear it. The rest of the audience will dig it for the sheer joy of the music. It's always a pleasure to hear Bernie Dresel. Bernie and Spazz together keep the album jumpin' start to finish, with the exception of a couple of more introspective tunes, such as "Soul of a Man Never Dies," "Come to Jesus" and "All Is Well," which features a moving lead vocal from John's wife, Carol Hatton.

You hear Bernie, you hear Spazz, and one has to wonder, do you miss Brian Setzer? In a word, no. First of all, this is not really a guitar slinger's showcase, though Fino Roberto does a mighty fine job on guitar. The instrumentation is completely different from a Setzer setting, with Spazz playing violin/fiddle on a number of tracks, while Douglas Livingston's steel guitar work really fills out the sound. In places it reminds me of Big Sandy's Fly-Rite Boys, although given it's a Gospel record, I'd call 'em the "Fly-Righteous" Boys. Aside from that unforgettable backbeat, it's nothing like a Brian Setzer record. Spazz has his own unique voice and vision for this album, and I couldn't be more proud.

For those of you who may not consider yourself religious or would normally veer away from gospel music, I would still encourage you to check out "Johnny Hatton's Gospel Bop." You don't have to be religious to appreciate things of beauty created by those inspired by their religious convictions. Many fine works of art enjoyed by countless believers, agnostics, atheists, and others have been created by someone motivated by their faith. This album may not rank up there with the Sistine Chapel, but it's certainly worth checking out by fans of The Beat as well as The Beatitudes.

Testify-billy

Amen, Brother!

I've been reading Spazz's bio on his website... and though I've never liked Elvis... he played with him, among many other artists, of course!!

This just in:

A song from Hatton's "Gospel Bop" is scheduled to appear this Sunday (July 31) on HBO's "True Blood". Listen for "Soul of a Man" during a roadhouse scene...........

Check your local listings and set your DVRs!

I've just ordered mine.
Spazz is fantastic.
Thank you Andi.

Just got mine yesterday.
Like: "Other side of me", "You must be born again". Dislike: the last 3 numbers. I find the rest of the CD quite listenable having never really bothered with country or gospel.

Excellent album from John"Spazz" Hatton... True to himself ....Get it get it get it!!!!!
and BTW how can you go wrong with Spazz and Bernie together?

Again Get it get it get it....

There goes mine!!

Got mine !!
This album is really good. I like it.
Spazz has so many talents...