Get Into the Act...Billy Hector
Get Into the Act...Billy Hector
Billy Hector rarely introduces his songs at a gig. "Don't have to," he says. And he's right. The laid-back Hector lets the fretboards of his guitars do the talking - he brings four or so to each show. He goes from lightning fast riffs to slow blues, but his expressive playing always has something to say.
During a visit to Easton's Bluetone Cafe, Hector does not address the audience much except to thank them, refer to "the healing power of rock and roll," and exclaim that "this is the best time of the night."
In contrast to Hector, bassist Winston Roye is constantly in motion, moving to center stage when he takes a solo. And unlike most blues drummers who just keep the beat, drummer Dan Hickey pounds his kit like a rocker, particularly during his many solos. Hickey is one of three drummers that Hector regularly works with.
Hector has an amazing versatility. While many performers soon fall into familiar grooves, Hector keeps surprising you during shows that can last nearly five hours. He touches on rock and roll, Country, and slide guitar, and as befits an artist who says he is based in the seventies, a healthy dose of funk and rock guitar.
"Funk is good for you," he says.
Hector is best heard in person, but is well served by his CD "Out of Order - The Stone Pony Sessions" (Ghetto Surf Music 2003). This combination of live performances is a good representation of one of the 250 or so shows that Hector does each year.
Billy Hector, Friday, June 25, Stanhope House, 45 Main Street, Stanhope, NJ, 9:30 p.m., $7, dinner and show package available, 973-347-0458.
Billy Hector's site
-Dave Howell
(This article first appeared in The Morning Call newspaper.)
Billy Hector rarely introduces his songs at a gig. "Don't have to," he says. And he's right. The laid-back Hector lets the fretboards of his guitars do the talking - he brings four or so to each show. He goes from lightning fast riffs to slow blues, but his expressive playing always has something to say.
During a visit to Easton's Bluetone Cafe, Hector does not address the audience much except to thank them, refer to "the healing power of rock and roll," and exclaim that "this is the best time of the night."
In contrast to Hector, bassist Winston Roye is constantly in motion, moving to center stage when he takes a solo. And unlike most blues drummers who just keep the beat, drummer Dan Hickey pounds his kit like a rocker, particularly during his many solos. Hickey is one of three drummers that Hector regularly works with.
Hector has an amazing versatility. While many performers soon fall into familiar grooves, Hector keeps surprising you during shows that can last nearly five hours. He touches on rock and roll, Country, and slide guitar, and as befits an artist who says he is based in the seventies, a healthy dose of funk and rock guitar.
"Funk is good for you," he says.
Hector is best heard in person, but is well served by his CD "Out of Order - The Stone Pony Sessions" (Ghetto Surf Music 2003). This combination of live performances is a good representation of one of the 250 or so shows that Hector does each year.
Billy Hector, Friday, June 25, Stanhope House, 45 Main Street, Stanhope, NJ, 9:30 p.m., $7, dinner and show package available, 973-347-0458.
Billy Hector's site
-Dave Howell
(This article first appeared in The Morning Call newspaper.)