Jason & Scorchers play torrid twang

“A Blazing Grace,” Mammoth Records.
3 STARS

Steve Hall; The Indianapolis Star
February 6, 1995

Copyright 1995 - 2004 The Indianapolis Star

Until their breakup in 1989, Jason & the Scorchers mixed Hank Williams-like honky-tonk themes with the speed and intensity of punk-like rock. Jason Ringenberg, Warner Hodges, Jeff Johnson and Perry Baggs have reunited, and A Blazing Grace sounds as though they never left.
Ringenberg’s plaintive, nasal wail perfectly captures the despair in such barreling laments as Cry By Night Operator and Why Baby Why. Hodges’ jaw-dropping guitar leads, the other indelible half of the Scorchers’ sound, range from hopped-up Tennessee Two-style pickin’ (200 Proof Lovin’) to sweaty rock ‘n roll (One More Day of Weekend). The band throws in a hilariously gonzo cover of John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads - played at Joey Ramone speed. Listeners can catch their breath on a couple of so-so ballads (Where Bridges Never Burn, Somewhere Within).
The Scorchers haven’t lost one iota of supercharged twang. But what’s truly remarkable about A Blazzing Grace is how much country has changed since they broke up. You can easily imagine these songs on the radio. Yeehaw!

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