Personnel: Doug Sahm (vocals, guitar); John Reed (guitar); Rocky Morales (saxophone); Louie Bustos (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Charles McBurney (trumpet); Kelly Dunn (keyboards); Fuzzy John Oxendine (drums).
Liner Note Author: Bill Dahl.
Recorded in 1988, HELL OF A SPELL is a confident and punchy album of Texas soul music. Doug Sahm, who had a number of hits in the '60s with the Sir Douglas Quintet, absorbed every strain of music he came in contact with while growing up in Texas. The influence of that early exposure is apparent on HELL OF A SPELL--blues, swing, jazz, rock, and Tex-Mex all mix into a wonderful stew that's always completely honest and engaging. This set introduces a number of Sahm's premiere songs--the reggae-infused title number, "Ain't Into Lettin' You Go," "Can't Fake It," and "Hangin' On By A Thread" (later the title song of his third album with Texas Tornados). Beautifully produced by Dan Healy, HELL OF A SPELL sounds crisp and the interplay between the musicians is rich and real.
Professional Reviews
Mojo (Publisher) (10/99, p.130) - "...Sahm pays animated tribute to the sounds of his childhood....In a collection so full of honesty and fun it's difficult to pick out a stand-out..."
