Hometown Gamblers - Dypsomania (review)
Hometown Gamblers - Dypsomania (El Toro; ETCD7031)
reviewed by Michael Macomber
When it comes to gin-swillin’, tobacco-chewin’, honky-tonkin’ rock and roll, the Hometown Gamblers are a sure bet. Hailing from the backwoods of Belgium, this twangin’ quartet plays good old fashioned rockabilly and country, with a heapin’ helpin’ of down home hospitality.
Vocalist Yves De Caluwe’s easygoing, talky delivery is reminiscent of Johnny Cash, and his rhythm guitar work has a Johnny Burnette quality. “Cruising Across The U.S.A.” calls up images of a vintage Cadillac convertible sweeping slowly down a desert highway, thanks in no small part to the incredible timing and chemistry of the Gamblers. Jurgen Van Poppel on lead guitar, Jeffrey Thielens on harmonica, Guy De Caluwe on double bass, along with brother Yves, move as a single unit.
Thielens’ harmonica is a haunting presence on the sad and beautiful “Cry of Distress.” He punctuates the vocals perfectly, letting loose with that heart rending musical cry. He takes a more cheerful, upbeat role on the rocker “Shooting Star.” Guy De Caluwe’s bass playing is also tight as a drum, on this tune and throughout. Thanks to Guy, the absence of drums in the Hometown Gamblers seems completely irrelevant.
Lead guitarist Jurgen Van Poppel contributes an amazing and evocative line to another haunting number, “Gone And Left.” He’s also a hoot on “Love You Tonight,” a lip twitchin’ ditty peppered with dramatic rests. His driving Eddie Cochran sound on “Have No Place To Stay” is pure dynamite.
The Hometown Gamblers play rockabilly with the ideal mix of rhythm, blues, and hillbilly harmony. No doubt about it, these boys have that special something, that Sun Records quality that makes for great rock and roll.
