The Hickmania series of invite-only solo shows began in 2014, featuring Johnny Hickman and an intimate crowd of friends and fans in residential houses in Northern California. This best of compilation was released in 2020, when the Covid pandemic cancelled what would have been year seven of the series. Of the eight tracks, three are from Hickman’s album Palmhenge, one each from Blood Moon and Tilting, plus two songs by Cracker and one by the Hickman Dalton Gang. All were from shows in 2015, the first six tracks recorded at the Sweets’, San Ramon and the last two from the Rogers’, Granite Bay.
The release documents what sounds like a great atmosphere at the shows (with house shows probably being a little hit and miss). Generally there’s much whooping and hollering which potentially could be distracting but here adds to the experience of listening to energetic and spirited performances, especially on “Lonesome Johnny Blues” and “Summer Town”. At times the audience gamely singalong (although we won’t hold this against them) with what are some clearly popular choices – “Whittled Down”, “Lucky” and “Another Song About the Rain”.
Considering these are solo performances Hickman delivers an impressive full sound with just guitar, harmonica and voice, and the settings serve to showcase the high quality song-writing especially on the wild western “Long Tall Pine Tree” and when railing against the corporate nightmare on the “The Great Decline”. “Friends” benefits from an amusing spoken word interlude, even though it’s doubtful Camper Van Beethoven is an appropriate soundtrack for lovemaking.
Label: Campstove Records
Release Date: 30 OCT 2020
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