Dale Hannah

Americana has become a catch-all phrase for a blend of what are probably too many genres of the American musical ethos. But sometimes even overused phrases ring true. Such is the case for Dale Hannah, and especially for his album, "Back in the Day."
Hannah’s blend of influences, including folk, country, blues and rock can be heard in a style that actually does sound like America, a melting pot where cultures, and musical genres mingle such that they are indistinguishable from one another, but form a new thing altogether. Hannah was a founding member of Swampdaddies, a rock group with heavy jam influences, but has moved beyond to a quieter brand of music, playing solo, and with Erin O’Toole in Wildflower Conspiracy.
Hannah’s personal influences, from the tone of the album, tend more toward Bob Dylan, Neil Young and John Prine, and he has learned well from them. Armed with his well-worn acoustic guitar and harp, Hannah has compiled a group of original tunes that will, as the best music does, entertain, enlighten and inform.
In a time when nostalgia, especially for the 1960s, is never far away from the minds of the baby boomers, and, amazingly, even their children, listeners will find an amusing and bell-tone true litany of experiences in the title song, "Back in the Day." Hannah performs magic in his recounting of what it was like to grow up "hippie" in the ‘60s and ‘70s, without ever slipping into maudlin reflection.
With excellent production and help with instrumentation by Gary Gordon, of the folk group, the Gordons, the album moves effortlessly between up-tempo toe tappers and ballads, with gorgeous help from many contributors on bass, cello, violin, accordion, mandolin, organ, and with harmonies from fellow Wildflower Conspirator, O’Toole.
Standout songs include "All Night Train," which will have listeners singing along with the infectious chorus and melodic hook, and the hilariously fun "Two Lone Rangers." The slinky blues progression and expressive fiddle of "Somethin’ Goin’ On" give it the feel of a Ma Rainey tune. "He’s Gone," about a friend who passed, has a country gospel feel, as does the album closer, ""Til We Meet Again."
In "Back in the Day," Hannah has accomplished the great goal of folk music and Americana: to provide an entertaining musical background for the stories we tell, the stories of joy and heartache, of peace and turmoil, and, especially, of a land where all should be accepted as equal and important. And where music brings us all together.


Kevin Edwards
Web Editor, Live at KDHX
KDHX, St. Louis, Missouri - Kevin Edwards