Name: Wicked Grin - Live
Brand: John Hammond

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

MIG02532

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2022-02-04

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Proper

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

885513025326

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Total Cap

2 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

John Hammond

Genre GB

Classic

Label GB

Mig Music

Mig Music is an independent record company founded by a2433871 in Hannover, Germany in 2009. The label has gained recognition for its diverse catalog and commitment to supporting independent artists.

Under the *MIG* label/brand, Mig Music distributes its catalog worldwide through a network of independent partners. This allows their music to reach a global audience and gives artists the opportunity to connect with fans from all corners of the world.

With a focus on quality and artistic integrity, Mig Music continues to discover and nurture talented musicians across various genres. Their dedication to providing a platform for independent voices has made them an influential force in the music industry.

"John is a great force of nature," enthused Tom Waits after he produced Hammond's 2001 album Wicked Grin, which almost entirely consisted of interpretations of Waits compositions - "I don't know anybody that can play guitar like that except guys that are old enough to be his grandfather. And for a writer it's flattering to have someone like John do your songs. He has invaluable experience and finesse. He makes me sound good."

On Wicked Grin John Hammond was accompanied by a small group of musicians, all of whom had previously worked with Waits. Most of these musicians subsequently gigged the album with Hammond but by the time of the Bremen gig that comprises Wicked Grin Live in 2002, the line-up consisted of guitarist Frank Carillo, bassist Marty Ballou and drummer Stephen Hodges.

All the songs are extraordinary. Here are compelling and surreal despatches from America's demi-monde, with the songs peopled by billiard-playing midgets, blind firemen, drunks, junkies, losers, inadequates, cheating women and hobos with Runyonesque names like Slaughterhouse Joe, Jack The Cutter, Little Joe from Kokomo, Jimmy The Harp and The 44 Kid.

Hammond has always regarded Wicked Grin as a career highlight. But if the album is a landmark in his recording career, it is surely equally true, on the evidence of Wicked Grin Live, that the gigs he played in support of it were amongst the most remarkable of his glorious, ongoing, six decade career as a travelling bluesman.

Wicked Grin - Live

Music GB