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All Soundboard - All Excellent (4 Shows) -
This is the first release on the Shroom Productions record label begun in 1995. It consisted of tracks mostly from Hands 1977 January Sound recording sessions in Dallas, TX. The CD was put together from that plus an assortment of other tracks because, at the time, it was not known if there would be another Hands CD, we just did not know what the demand would be. Well, some 3000 copies later, and there is STILL demand for this great music. Numerous reviews and consistently high ratings give praise to this band and this CD in particular. Discover them if you have not heard any of their music, I mean, if you love bands like Gentle Giant, King Crimson, Kansas, Yes, Camel, Happy The Man, Gryphon, Greenslade, UK, or PFM. -
Audience 7.8 - Similar to the Bruxelles show but the sound field opens up more on this and the highs, while maybe slightly crispy, are a plus as they give some definition to the music. -
Pro Studio - Rehearsals -
Formed in 1972, Hands were originally called Ibis, and then a series of name changes which eventually led to Prism, which they were widely known as, until things got serious. With the production of high quality studio demos, they were forced to change names again, this time for good - with the name HANDS. These early recordings capture them at a time before the studio quality demos, when they were still working small clubs and colleges and playing a lot of covers (albeit very interesting ones). -
Soundboard 9.7 -
Pro recordings 9.4 - Totally excellent. -
Audience 8.9 - Very strong, clear, and dynamic recording. -
Audience 8.6 - A little bit thin as far as this recording goes in that it could use a little more bottom end but that is not a deal breaker because it is not a “shrill” thin, just could use more lows. That being said, there’s a lot to chew on with this show. Great performance, good quality, so just be aware the singer requires some getting used to! Have fun. -
Austin band that formed out of the ashes of The Cosmic Head Band circa 1976. These recordings took place over the course of a decade, in various garages, in sweltering heat amidst cases of Lone Star beer and cheap Mexican brick. The results, while a little rough around the edges, are pretty devastating. Twin guitar attack influenced by Rush, Wishbone Ash, Cream, Frank Marino, and Black Sabbath - loads of feedback, wah-wah, dirty and distorted garage acid prog psyche proto-metal. Cool! -
Audience 8.3 - This recording captures a medium to large hall atmosphere from maybe middle rows and is quite good under those circumstances. It actually lends a cool vibe to the show, despite that naturally huge reverb going on. Oh, if you are unfamiliar with them, here’s the deal: GREAT hard and heavy jazz rock leaning towards rock with a very quirky singer. Once you get used to him, you are LOVING this band. -
Audience 8.7 - A strong and intense recording with a percussive tilt to it, so you get a very present and crisp drums and percussion. Everything else is also pretty clear but I would have liked guitars more up front but they are fine. This period of the band is exciting and intense, so if you love your progressive jazz hard rock played with fire and intensity that sometimes is off the charts this band is for you. -
Audience 8.8 - A very direct and punchy recording that delivers the music straight into your ears without passing through any air. As if you are sitting in front of the speaker as they play, nobody in front of you. It makes for a cool experience to hear this super intense band so intimately. -
Audience 8.3 - Some tinny highs but a good defined bass, so a complete sound spectrum present although I might roll off the highs and boost my mids for better listening. -
Soundboard 9.6 - Amazing! -
Hard driving Dallas rock band that worked all the clubs back in the day (1972-1975) before changing their name to Brat and slowly moving into a different direction. Featuring the guitar pyrotechnics of Dickey Ferguson, who found a measure of success much later during his stint in US Kids.