HANS THESSINK
JEDERMANN REMIXED
THE SOUNDTRACK
BLUE GROOVE BG 1920
WAY DOWN IN THE HOLE–THE MAN COMES AROUND–NO EXPECTATIONS–I’M A MAN–THE BEAST IN ME–SATAN, YOUR KINGDOM MUST COME DOWN–CUCKOO–READY FOR THE RIDE–MOTHER’S ADVICE–I GOT A WOMAN–YOU GONNA NEED SOMEBODY ON YOUR BOND–THE ANGEL OF DEATH–MOTHER EARTH–CALL ME–OH SINNER MAN–PEOPLE GET READY–SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL–GAMES PEOPLE PLAY
Hans Thessink (pronounced TAY- sink) is known worldwide as a master of the guitar. He has entertained audiences for more than forty years, releasing some 25 albums and an instructional DVD. He received a blues award nomination for his 2009 collaboration with Terry Evans, entitled “Visions.”
Hans was asked to supply the music to an Austrian play, “Jedermann,” which is an adaption of the English morality play, “Everyman.” In this play, God, man and the devil as well as other abstract beings are personified, and the sound track is geared towards man’s constant struggle with good vs. evil. Throughout, Hans’ acoustic and slide guitar as well as his somber, lower-register vocals, ring true. To add to the overall experience, the songs are sparsely arranged.
The set kicks off with Hans’ advice to follow Jesus and keep the devil “Way Down In The Hole,” and features Hans with some excellent mandolin work. The Stones’ “No Expectations” is presented here as a slow blues with a sweet slide solo at the bridge, while Curtis Mayfield’s “People Get Ready” features a gospel-inflected backing chorus and B-3 to augment Hans’ vocals.
We had three favorites. One of Hans’ originals was the tale of the “Cuckoo” which, “when they get to howlin'” is a sure sign of trouble ahead. The backing vocals add authenticity to the story that shows “no matter how rich you are, you got to go back to “Mother Earth.” And, more mandolin accentuates Hans’ take on ole Hank’s “The Angel of Death.”
Hans Thessink has taken his vocal skills and his skills on the guitar and channeled them into a collection of songs that are interwoven through their subject matters and fit the soundtrack of “Jedermann” perfectly. This one gets better with repeated listenings, and is highly recommended! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, Nashville Blues Society
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