What better way to beat those winter blues than a great night of the finest alternative country this side of Tallahassee. For the past 30 years Hank Wangford has been a leading British torchbearer for country music, illuminating us with insights such as “I ain’t married but the wife is”. Hank said: “It’s in my nature to send things up, even things that I love. If you make someone laugh you’ve opened them up.”
Dr Sam Hutt, better known in country circles as his tragic alter ego Hank Wangford, is one of the great English originals. A doctor who specialised in drug addiction and then gynaecology and birth control, he became obsessed with country after meeting the legendary Gram Parsons, and became a cult celebrity in the punk era of the early 80s, specialising in deadpan humour but also classy musicianship.
Hank has inspired a whole generation of British singers and musicians with his affectionate and witty approach to the music and is well known for his television programmes on the subject. Local promoters Peppery are bringing him to Ipswich Manor Ballrom on January 27th with The Lost Cowboys, a collection of some of the finest country and roots musicians in the country (including members of Ipswich favourites Los Pistoleros).
The band includes: BJ Cole – the pedal steel wizard (who has toured and recorded with amongst others The Verve, REM, Devon Sproule, Sting, Emmylou Harris, Elton John and Marc Bolan, Martin Belmont – Stratocaster and 6-String Bass, the best hard core country guitarist around, ex-Graham Parker & the Rumour, Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash. Kevin Foster – bass guitar. Doll by Doll bassist goes hard country – a powerhouse of C&W and honky tonk rhythms. Roy Dodds – drums. Ex-Fairground Attraction and sideman extraordinaire.
‘If you want originality, bite, twang and cutting wit, there’s only one man to see. His name is Hank Wangford.’ – New York Times
Hank Wangford appears at The Manor Ballroom Ipswich on January 27th. Doors open at 8pm. Tickets priced £13.50 are on sale at The New Wolsey box office (01473 295900) and online at www.wolseytheatre.co.uk
Weblink www.peppery.co.uk
Hank Wangford and the Lost Cowboys
Ipswich Manor Ballroom – Jan 27th 2012
