Hanky Pankyrelease date: Feb. 14, 1995
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,46]
producer: Matt Johnson & Bruce Lampcov
label: Epic Records - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Honky Tonkin' " - 3. "My Heart Would Know" - 5. "I'm a Long Gone Daddy" - 7. "I Saw the Light" - 9. "I Can't Get You Off of My Mind" - 11. "I Can't Escape From You"
5th studio album by The The follows two years year after Dusk and is anything but the natural follow-up but nonetheless a genuine Matt Johnson release, although, none of the songs were written or composed by Johnson. The album pays tribute to Hank Williams - only the arrangements are credited Johnson and (David) 'D. C.' Collard. After releasing two albums as an actual band, Johnson is here back as solo artist behind the project. The only recurring personnel is D.C. Collard credited treated melodica and arrangements, and co-producer Bruce Lampcov. The new backing band mostly only covers a stellar cast of American session musicians including guitarist Eric Schermerhorn (from Iggy Pop's backing band) and bassist Gail Ann Dorsey (from David Bowie's backing band), harmonica player Jim Fitting, and drummer Brian MacLeod (Chris Isaak, Wire Train, Sheryl Crow, etc.), which once again sees Johnson play with handpicked musicians instead of a steady band.
Hanky Panky is really something else, and then there's still Johnson's DNA all over despite also being original country songs. The album may contain eleven tracks but it runs for less than 34 minutes. A first glimpse of the front cover, and knowing of Johnson's sometimes biting satire in combination with the album title, which could sound like a pun hinting at the first track and / or the world of country as a genre, and you might mistake it as a bad joke of some sort. And I guess Johnson knew about people doubting his project - explaining why he has included a written statement in the inlay telling about his admiration for the genre as such and for Hank Williams in particular. So, don't be fooled, it's by no means a joke but deadly serious! Some would argue that Johnson probably recognised the loner in Williams' existence and his songwriting, and then Johnson himself faced a new beginning after relocating to the US and ending his relationship with Fiona Skinner.
The arrangements are at times with much remaining from the original songs, but mostly they are with due respect to the source but heavily re-arranged with a great deal of modern rock in mind.
My initial verdict had me (completely) reject Johnson's choice - it was simply too strange, and I guess a lot of fans felt the same, but you really have to hand it to Matt Johnson: he did what he felt like doing at the time, regardless other people's opinion - be it record label, critics, or fans.
In retrospect, the album naturally lands miles from his previous releases but it's by no means a mediocre album 'cause everything is done with respect and so much talent that it simply puts a new light on songs from a completely different genre. It's both art rock, blues rock and country rock all mixed with the essence of country, and frankly, overall, it's really a mighty fine release.
Hanky Panky wasn't exactly met like a new great album from The The by most critics, but who cares what they think, although, some have changed their initial opinion about the album over the years, which basically tell us that you only have to listen for yourself.
The album is not one of Johnson's best but it's still a recommended listen, also both as a tribute to a great songwriter as well as brilliant reinterpretations of classic country.
[ 👎allmusic.com 3 / 5, USA Today 3 / 4 stars ]
