Hoopsnakes - Ten The Hard Way (1995)

The Hoopsnakes feature three former Cranstons: the bearded Bruce McCabe on vocals and keyboards (McCabe also writes all the songs), the talented Charlie Bingham on guitars (and I remember when Bingham was just a teenage phenom, waiting for his big break), and the rock-steady Jim Novak on drums. Rounding out the foursome is Mick Massol on bass.

Ten the Hard Way is ensemble blues: guitar, piano, drums, and bass. Gone are the horns and harmonica that marked the halcyon days of the Lamont Cranston Band. The album was produced by E Street bassist, Garry Tallent, who contributes excellent studio technique while also maintaining an almost-invisible presence in the background.

If Ten the Hard Way sounds familiar, then you're a fan of that classic American sound, the Bar Blues. We've all sat in countless smoky bars while some talented-but-unknown local group pounded out the bar blues. Mixing even parts of rock and blues, this kind of music usually sounds better in that atmosphere, with a loose crowd and a couple drinks under your belt; often, it doesn't translate smoothly to CD.

But I like Ten the Hard Way. In addition to McCabe's slower, trademark numbers, such as "Second Guessing, First Impressions" (McCabe always had a little bit of Michael McDonald in him), the album also includes such travelling-man songs as "Cigarettes & Gas" and "Further Down this Road."

Of course, it wouldn't be the blues without such nighttime-steeped numbers as "Blues Attack" (which features McCabe's piano playing), and the effortless "Bad Luck," driven by Bingham's sterling guitar work.

Hey, I was sad when the Cranstons broke up. And I wish the Hoopsnakes had lead singer Pat Hayes with them. Hayes made a great foil to McCabe; Pat was the fun guy (like Peter Wolf), while McCabe was the more serious one.

But Ten the Hard Way is still authentic, Midwest bar blues. And this kind of music will never go out of style. Give it a spin. Randy Krbechek

1. Cigarettes & Gas
2. Second Guessing, First Impressions
3. It Ain't Easy Bein' Me
4. Blues Attack
5. World Ain't Round
6. Bad Luck
7. Devil Comes Knockin'
8. One Good Reason
9. I've Been a Dreamer
10. Further Down This Road

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