Crazy Moon

CD: BG-7020

1995

Hans Theessink: voc. guitars, mandolin, banjo
Jon Sass: tuba
Ali Thelfa: drums, percussion
Richard Bell: piano, organ
Marcia Ball: piano, back.vocals
Art Of Brass Vienna: hornsection
Ponty Bone: accordeon
John “Mambo” Traenor: washboard
Joe Morales: alto and tenor sax
Cindy Cashdollar: dobro
Spencer Starnes: double bass
John Sheahan: fiddle, tinwhistle
Sean Cannon: back.vocals
Terry Evans: back.vocals
Ray Williams: back.vocals
Willie Greene Jr.: back.vocals
Olivia Reese: back.vocals
Janet Kyle: back.vocals
Birdia Williams-Miller: back.vocals

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Press reviews

Like his other fine releases, Crazy Moon is full of mostly acoustic blues with savory flavorings of Cajun, Caribbean, gospel, Texas, and even European classical traditions. Indeed he draws on musical friends from various cultures, countries and styles, while blending them all into the finest of blues presentations. Mr.Theessink’s throaty, soulful vocals and superlative guitar/banjo/mandolin work are the centerpiece of each song. He has a special gift for rhythms of all types and varieties, and always captures the rhythmic essence of each number. Although he hails from across the water, he has more than mastered American roots and blues traditions; he has revitalized them with artistic creativity, advancing them to new heights.
Bill Jacobs, Blues Bytes, USA, August 97

On this release, Dutch singer and multi-instrumentalist Hans Theessink has assembled 13 stellar cuts of blues, roots rock and gospel. With a warm, expressive voice that alternately recalls J.J.Cale and rocker Chris Rea, Theessink leads the listener through many different tales. Theessink is an engaging storyteller who makes the tunes feel like long last friends. As engaging as the vocals and lyrics are, the music on this disc is what makes it stand out from the crowd. With an instrumental lineup featuring Theessink’s multiple strings as well as a tuba, piano, dobro, accordion, tenor and alto sax, B-3, drums, washboard and percussion compliments  of such noted musicians as Marcia Ball, Cindy Cashdollar, Ponty Bone, Richard Bell, Rocky Morales, Ali Thelfa and Jon Sass mixed together in various combinations, the disc has a unique, organic roots sound. While the blues inform most of the tunes, roots rock and especially gospel are major influences as well. In fact, the strong gospel-inflected harmony provided by Terry Evans, Ray Williams, Willie Green Jr., Olivia Reese, Janet Kyle and Birdia Williams-Miller adds a buoyancy to several of the cuts including „Power of Love“, „Homecookin‘ „ and „Roll with the Punches,“ that makes them stand out as highlights. Based on the strength of this release, the record stores had better make room for the balance of Theessink’s deep catalog.
Mark Smith, Blues Revue, USA, April 98

Hans Theessink steht zwar auf “Homecooking” (Song-Titel), hat aber auch gute Freunde in Austin (Marcia Ball), L.A. (Terry Evans) und Dublin (John Sheahan/Dubliners), die dem Holländer auf “Crazy Moon” gerne aushalfen. Das Ergebnis ist ein undogmatischer Blues-Mix zwischen Second-Line-Groove und Gospel-Fever, der selbst dann laidback daherkommt, wenn’s etwas hitziger zugeht. Vielleicht liegt’s daran, daß der Baß, wie bei Theessink üblich, eine Tuba ist.
Jörg Feyer, Rolling Stone (D)

Auf dem internationalen Parkett geniesst er Anerkennung. Hans Theessink ist vom Folkgitarristen zum Spitzenmann mutiert und bringt einen Sound, der mit Ry Cooder vergleichbar ist. Zugängliche Nummern mit markantem Gesang und präsenter Gitarre im Mittelpunkt, stets vorantreibend und rhythmisch. Auf “Crazy Moon” sind dreizehn selbst geschriebene Songs zu finden, die in den verschiedensten Ecken der Welt eingespielt wurden: Österreich, Austin, Los Angeles, Dublin. Das Album hat amerikanischen Charakter und entsprechende Klasse. Hans Theessink spielt sich damit in eine anspruchsvolle Elite vor und verdient viel Beachtung – Ry Cooder hätte seine Freude!
Paul Rostetter, Bundner Zeitung (CH)

Die Arrangements, mit seinem virtuosen, vom Understatement geprägten Gitarrenspiel und starken „Background Vocals“ sind hervorragend gemacht und haben Bllues-, Country-, Soul-, und Gospel Einflüsse. Das alles mit Theessinks markanter Bassstimme sorgt für ein exklusives Programm erster Güte.
Musikblatt (D)