Victory Review/Acoustic Music Magazine February 2006/vol. 31/number 02 Michael 'Hawkeye' Herman 'It's All Blues To Me' Here's one of those sensational albums that proves that even the most hidebound, constrictive traditions can find fully meaningful and authentic expressions without copying the founding fathers in style and substance. Hawkeye Herman, veteran bluesman out of Ashland, Oregon, has turned a dozen jumpin' rhythm 'n' blooz classics into something new and sinister: they're quite. This is an unplugged album, sure, but Hawkeye's messin' wit' ya. He sings coolly, low, often at a whisper ... The kind of whisper Clint Eastwood uses when he has to explain something to the bad guys. The acoustic guitar is well played, not assaulted and the rest of the backing musicians keep things toned down, creating an atmosphere of subversion, collusion and bad fun. What flat out makes this record though, is the reduction of percussion to just washboard, with the odd thump on a countertop or splash of a tiny cymbal. Washboard Chaz is Herman's ace and he's a wonder. Forget the hillbilly racket normally associated with the washboard. Chaz makes it rattle like a snake, skip like a schoolgirl, tick like a clock, or vibrate like the motor on grandma's washing machine. Chaz finds the mood for every tune, even when Herman ranges out to the far edges of the blues. There's a withering 'Sixteen Tons' that reopens a song that had been 'closed' for 50 years. Herman's redo of 'Moondance' casts it as a roadhouse pickup instead of a supper club come-on. He finds the thread between Santana's 'Evil Ways' and the oldie 'You're No Good' so taught, it's a wonder they haven't always been done as a medley. Herman's got two originals that are solidly in the tradition, the melancholy 'I Used To Ride That Train' and the naughty 'Give Me A Grandma Every Time.' Great record! Tom Peterson ******** Sing Out! Spring 2006, vol. 50, #1 Michael 'Hawkeye' Herman 'Everyday Living' (Topaz 0110) 'It's All Blues To Me' (Topaz 0300) All around blues man Michael 'Hawkeye' Herman was born in jazzer Bix Biederbecke's Davenport, Iowa, hometown but relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1968. There he began refining his blues guitar skills at the feet of then still-active local luminaries like Brownie McGhee, L.C. 'Good Rockin'' Robinson and K.C. Douglas. Soon he was playing back-up guitar in bands led by still other local r&b legends (Charles Brown, Little Joe Blue and Jimmy McCracklin) as well as performing solo coffeehouse and small club gigs. Brown, with another By Area veteran, 'Cool Papa' Sadler, guest on two tracks each on 'Everyday Living.' Now based in Ashland, Oregon, Herman is as well known for his role as a music educator (he has been conducting 'Blues In The Schools' workshops and programs since 1980) festival promoter, guitar teacher and composer for theater (in 2004 he took 'El Paso Blue' all the way to New York's 42nd St/Theatre Row.) as for his considerable performing talents. Those are fully displayed on his recent, aptly titled 'It's All Blues To Me' project, with 15 songs collected from three live performances - two of which emanate from Davenport. Standouts include unique, extended versions of both Percy Mayfield's 'Baby Please' and Tony Joe White's signifying 'Poke Salad Annie,' a washboard enlivened revival of Fats Domino's 'My Girl Josephine' and a pair of solid originals - in particular the harmonica emblazoned 'I Used To Ride That Train.' He also covers material by Slim Harpo, Hank Williams, Merle Travis ('Sixteen Tons'), Bobby Troup ('Route 66'), and Bob Dylan's haunting 'Blind Willie McTell.' Among others. Throughout, Herman's relaxed, expressly soulful vocals and vigorous guitar work impress. If you're fond of John Hammond or Arlo Guthrie, you'll enjoy Hawkeye's blues vision as well. - by GvonT ******** 'It's All Blues To Me' contains a variety of Hawkeye's acoustic blues-based music with top-notch back-up musicians. The title of the CD says it all. Hawkeye performs songs from other genres, but they all come out blues when filtered through hi
