''Sings Like Hell'' is an album by American singer-songwriter Peter Case, released in 1993. In 1996 the album title gave rise to a monthly music series, Sings Like Hell (Music Series), staged at the Lobero Theater in

Santa Barbara, California Santa Barbara ( es, Santa Bárbara, meaning "Saint Barbara") is a coastal city in Santa Barbara County, California, of which it is also the county seat. Situated on a south-facing section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coas ...

History

The album was Case's first album on the

Vanguard Records Vanguard Recording Society is an American record label set up in 1950 by brothers Maynard and Seymour Solomon in New York City. It was a primarily classical label at its peak in the 1950s and 1960s, but also has a catalogue of recordings by a n ...

label after previously recording for the Geffen label. He had originally recorded and released the album on his own label before Vanguard took notice and re-issued it. Included are traditional songs and some of Case's own personal favorites. Case suffered from depression after being released by Geffen, but was pleased with Vanguard. "Vanguard takes on artists they believe in and lets them do what they need to do," says Case. "That’s what they did in the ’60s — that’s what they’re famous for — and they’re living up to that legacy. That’s so alien to the big-time record industry, in my experience."

Critical reception

Music critic Denise Sullivan of

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

called the album "The perfect introduction to traditional American music for rock fans; folk and blues fans will also appreciate the richness in Case's delivery. His reading of "Lakes of Pontchartrain" is one for the books."

Track listing

#"Broke Down Engine" (Traditional, Johnny Winter) – 3:09 #"Roving Gambler" (Traditional) – 3:41 #"So Glad You're Mine" (

Arthur Crudup Arthur William "Big Boy" Crudup (August 24, 1905 – March 28, 1974) was an American Delta blues singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known, outside blues circles, for his songs "That's All Right" (1946), "My Baby Left Me" and "So Gla ...

) – 2:54 #"Lakes of Ponchartrain" (Traditional) – 5:17 #"Walkin' Bum" (Hank Mills) – 4:21 #"How 'Bout You" ( Jesse Winchester) – 3:14 #" Match Box Blues" (

Blind Lemon Jefferson Lemon Henry "Blind Lemon" Jefferson (September 24, 1893 – December 19, 1929)Some sources indicate Jefferson was born on October 26, 1894. was an American blues and gospel singer-songwriter and musician. He was one of the most popular blues sing ...

, Albert King) – 2:56 #" Rose Conolly" (Traditional) – 2:20 #"Down in the Alley" (Traditional, Minnie McCoy) – 2:48 #"Waltz of the Angels" (Dick Reynolds, Jack Rhodes) – 2:40 #"Well Runs Dry" (Traditional) – 3:33 #"North Coast Blues" (Peter Case) – 2:55 #"Down the Line" (

John Mayall John Mayall, OBE (born 29 November 1933) is an English blues singer, musician and songwriter, whose musical career spans over sixty years. In the 1960s, he was the founder of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, a band that has counted among it ...

Roy Orbison Roy Kelton Orbison (April 23, 1936 – December 6, 1988) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician known for his impassioned singing style, complex song structures, and dark, emotional ballads. His music was described by critics as ...

, Sam Phillips) – 2:15

Personnel

* Peter Case – vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano *Michael Bannister – drums *

Don Heffington Don Heffington (December 20, 1950March 24, 2021) was an American drummer, percussionist, and songwriter. He was a founding member of the Los Angeles alternative country band Lone Justice, which he performed with from 1982 to 1985. Heffington was ...

– drums * Tammy Rogers – violin *

Tony Marsico Tony Marsico (born Nov.8th, 1957) is an American bassist/composer best known as co-founder of the rock and roll band the Cruzados formed in 1983. (two albums on Arista Records (1985,1987). Prior to Cruzados, Marsico was a member of the Los Angeles p ...

– bass * Marvin Etzioni – mandolin Production *Marvin Etzioni – producer *David Vaught – engineer *Jeff Zaraya – mastering

References

{{Authority control Peter Case albums 1993 albums Vanguard Records albums