Hacienda Brothers
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| Hacienda Brothers | |
|---|---|
| Genre(s) | Country, Alt-Country, Rock, Rockabilly, Bakersfield Sound, Blues, Soul |
| Years active | 2002 - present |
| Website | www.haciendabrothers.com |
| Members | |
| Chris Gaffney, Dave Gonzalez, Dave Berzansky, Dale Daniel, and Hank Maninger | |
The Hacienda Brothers is the name of an alternative country band composed of Chris Gaffney, Dave Gonzalez, Dave Berzansky, Dale Daniel, and Hank Maninger. They have been described as been called "the finest country-rock band since the Flying Burrito Brothers in their prime."[1] They are a collaboration between veteran musicians Chris Gaffney and Dave Gonzalez. This combination produces music that may be classified as country but also includes soul, blues, rockabilly, and rock. They call it "Western Soul."[2]
Although their self-titled debut album appeared as recently as 2005, the Hacienda Brothers have already received critical recognition for their eclectic music. In 2007, they were nominated for "Group of the Year" by the American Music Association[3]; their sophomore album, What's Wrong With Right, was chosen by the alternative country magazine No Depression as one of the top 60 albums for 2006 [4] and by R&R as one of the top 100 Albums of 2006; [5] band leaders Gaffney and Gonzalez were interviewed by Terry Gross on NPR's show Fresh Air;[6] and Gonzalez was voted one of the "Top 101 All-time Unsung Guitar Heroes" by Guitar Player Magazine.[7]
Contents |
[edit] History
The Hacienda Brothers began in 2002 when friends Chris Gaffney and Dave Gonzalez played together during an impromptu jam session at a birthday party.[5] Gaffney is a successful singer and songwriter who had released several albums with the band the Cold Hard Facts and had toured with Dave Alvin.[8] Gonzalez had played guitar, written songs, and sang with the Paladins.[9] But after playing on stage together, the two music vets soon joined in Tucson, Arizona, to write and record their first album.[2]
Gonzalez and Gaffney called themselves the Hacienda Brothers and joined up with Dave Berzansky (pedal steel), Hank Maninger (bass, also with the Aqua Velvets), and Dale Daniel (drums). Their self-titled debut (2005) was produced by the legendary Dan Penn, who also wrote two tracks.[10] What's Wrong with Right, also produced by Penn, was released the following year and garnered critical accolades. Bob Mehr, writing for Mojo Magazine, praised its "authentic sawdust-floor shuffles" and "cinematic Morricone twang."[2]
In August of 2007, the Hacienda Brothers released a live album Music for Ranch & Town. Their most recent album, Arizona Motel, was recorded in early 2008 and is due for release this summer.[5]
Their range of musical taste is evident in their choice of material. In addition to many originals, they have recorded Johnny Cash's "Home of the Blues," "Cry Like a Baby" (originally by the Box Tops), Gamble and Huff's "Cowboys to Girls" (recorded by the Intruders and the Commodores), Charlie Rich's "Rebound" and "Life's Little Ups and Downs," Penn and Oldham's "It Tears Me Up" (also recorded by Percy Sledge), and "Mental Revenge" (a song written for Waylon Jennings by Mel Tillis).
Chris Gaffney died on April 17, 2008, of liver cancer. The band plans on touring in support of a tribute album for Gaffney.[5]
[edit] Band members
- Chris Gaffney - vocal and accordion
- Dave Gonzalez . - vocal and guitar
- Dave Berzansky - pedal steel guitar
- Dale Daniel - drums
- Hank Maninger - bass guitar
[edit] Discography
- 2008 - Arizona Motel
- 2007 - Music for Ranch & Town (Live)
- 2006 - What's Wrong with Right
- 2005 - Hacienda Brothers
[edit] References
- ^ Hal Horowitz's review of Music for Ranch & Town
- ^ a b c Band's press kit
- ^ AMA's website
- ^ See the Jan/Feb 2007 issue of No Depression.
- ^ a b c d Band's official bio
- ^ Fresh Air
- ^ Guitar Player Magazine
- ^ "Chris Gaffney" at Allmusic.com
- ^ Gonzalez's bio on haciendabrothers.com
- ^ Hacienda Brothers on Allmusic.com
