Stan Hedges
The Late Stan the Man Hedges Feb 17, 1957-Apr 13, 2011
“Two Mule Parade” is longtime Tennessee Blues Guitar-Slinger Stan “The Man” Hedges’ first solo project. For Hedges now 50 it’s been a long time coming, but from what people are exclaiming after hearing this 12 song project; (11 originals, most written in the last two years) it’s well worth the wait!
Hedges primarily known as a guitarist has drawn accolades a-plenty over the years; like from late blues legend Robert Jr. Lockwood calling Stan “A great guitar player with a lot of soul”, “Music City Blues” writing that Stan “Makes the hair on your neck stand up, … A local treasure,… possibly Nashville’s most underrated guitarist”, and has lent his guitar to producers Cowboy Jack Clement, Dan Penn, Joe Scafe and others. Now “The Man” will surely be known as a gifted singer-songwriter with an enamoring style that’s rousingly all his own!!
This project in its entirety is a gem with its own earthy, provocative feel, mixing New Orleans grooves and Kansas City shuffles with “Fat Back” rockers, gritty storytelling and stunning guitar work.
From the eerily nostalgic swamp-jazz narrative of the title track, to the story of a misunderstood ex-con who probably won’t last much longer on the out-side (Angola Cowboy). “I Can Hear the Delta” is a picturesque longing for a rich musical culture that is slowly dying. While “Garden of Pain-Requiem for Billy Collins Jr.” tells the heart-wrenching true story of Nashville Golden Boy boxing contender Billy Collins Jr’s maiming in the ring of Madison Square Garden by a dishonest opponent’s manager in 1983. “Waiting for the sky to Fall” is a John Lee Hooker type of blues with lyrics that stick; “Sometimes late at night, I hear you call my name, but it’s just the wind outside, bringin’ in the rain”. “Reach the Light- Tribute to Rosetta Tharpe” is an up-lifting hand clapping vamp you don’t want to end. “Won’t stand the Light of Day” is a scalding attack on racism past and present. Hedges shows his sense of humor with “Snappin’ Turtle Blues” and “Butter Yo’ Biscuits”. The instrumental “Kentucky Skin Tag Salad” being a grooving “Organ Trio Type” Head-Cutting contest should be required travel music.
This CD should satisfy a lot of people searching for something different but also something satisfying and real.
Listen to what the press is already saying; “….startlingly good, both for the quality of the music and the breadth of its territory…… Ought to win a Grammy (seriously)”! -Brad Martin of “Tennessee Press Association” Nov. 2007.