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Hank Wangford & The Lost Cowboys gig at Wimborne last night (see review HERE) was not only the first time that they had been to the town, it was the world premier of tracks for the new and yet to be released classic, Whistling In The Dark.

Hanks’ catch phrase (one of many) is that as long as we patronise him, he’ll keep patronising us. And with such encouragement, who can resist the new album at the Sincere Sounds product stall?

The album kicks off in typical spirit of ‘Lonely Together’; “Lets me lonely together tonight” is a lovely phrase but why be miserable when you can be miserable and dance to ‘It’s Too Late Now, The Little Bird Has Flown’ and ‘Jealousy’.

Whistling In The Dark sees Hank back together with the Lost Cowboys and his old mates BJ Cole (formerly known as Manley Footwear) and Martin Belmont (ex-Graham Parker and The Rumour, Nick Lowe, Ducks Deluxe, current Los Pistoleros and many more) on 1963 Strat and Fender six-string bass.

The sleeve notes contains all the lyrics and a little insight into Hank’s miserable life (having a Saturday job at Marine Ices in Chalk Farm when he was 15!) and recording the album over seven months in-between touring with Reg Meuross on the ‘No Hall Too Small’ tour (bringing misery to a Village Hall near you) and at the Wimborne gig, Hank was telling us about his wrist injury sustained on his ranch (in Connemara) so he’s now plays more ukuele than guitar (recommending the Mele ukulele from Maui).

All the musician are superb with the rest of the Lost Cowboys (Reg, Kevin Foster and Roy Dodds) are accompanied by Vashti Ann on vocals (particularly on ‘Little Bird Has Flow’) and Ali Love on backing vocals and Ian Smith on trumpet and flugelhorn. The trumpet of ‘Nothing For You (But For Me) is rarely mournful and from that, they go from ‘Moping To Mopping’ (my tears up for you).

And then there’s the tale of the first black cowboy on ‘Ballad Of Bill Pickett’ who brought bulldogging to the rodeo(?) and the sadness of ‘Mr & Mrs Teardrop’.

The album ends the 13 song set with the unlucky title track but Whistling In The Dark is a new purple patch for Wangford fans. For completness sake, would it be too much to have got Bobby Valentino on a track? That’s perhaps being greedy as it’s arguably his best ever album. Even if you’ve no interest in C&W, be amazed by how good Hanks vocals and lyrics are, what you can do with a pedal steel or a 1963 Fender guitar and get down for a good ol’ cry in your beer; you’ll feel so much better. Don’t be jealous, get the album!

Reviewed: Hank Wangford & The Lost Cowboys - Whistling In The Dark ($incere $ounds) Cat. No: HANKCD008 Release date: 24th November 2008
Tracklisting:
1 Lonely Together (3:17)
2 Little Bird Has Flown (3:21)
3 Gotta Get Rid Of That Man (3:40)
4 What You Want? (5:41)
5 Nothing For You (But For Me) (3:40)
6 Moping To Mopping (2:46)
7 Ballard Of Bill Pickett (4:34)
8 I Told You So (3:19)
9 One Of Those Days (3:15)
10 Mr & Mrs Teardrops (2:30)
11 Jealousy (3:08)
12 Get What You Get (6:35)
13 Whistling In The Dark (1:37)

Links
www.hankwangford.com
www.myspace.com/hankwangford
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Wangford
www.myspace.com/roydodds
www.myspace.com/martinbelmont
www.myspace.com/vashtimusic
www.lospistoleros.info
www.meleukulele.com