Take San Francisco’s greatest male performer, match him with some superb guest musicians and give him Monday nights at the splendid new Rrazz Room and you have the recipe for one of the finest evenings of music you’re likely to hear for a long, long time. Tim’s vocals have always drawn me in with its deep resonant growl, his smoky delivery and the deep emotional foundations. Known as a gifted musician (piano/trombone) Tim is turning out to be an equally talented songwriter.

Presenting material from his soon-to-be-released CD Back in My Arms, Tim’s music continues his fascination with love’s foibles and unique character portraits.  One of the finest interpreters of the work of Bob Dylan, the band which features guitar wizard Gawain (pronounced Gowan) Matthews, worked their magic on "Knockin on Heaven’s Door," "How Does It Feel" and the new CD’s “Howlin at Your Window." Oft compared to Tom Waits, Hockenberry pays homage with his endearing “Heart of Saturday Night." Tim chooses extraordinary lyrical material, massaging the words and drawing out every emotional nuance however subtle. Master songwriters like Randy Newman ("Marie"), Bruce Springsteen ("Back in Your Arms") and Elton John ("Rocket Man" and "Tiny Dancer") furnish Hockenberry with a goldmine of great material that he and the band masterfully rework into major musical moments.

The collaboration between Tim and Gawain is nothing short of divine. Referring to Gawain’s impeccably sweet guitar work Tim stated, “he tries to make me cry ten times a show, but I don’t”. I’m not as strong as Tim I guess. Hopefully Gawain will continue to add his extraordinary talent to this series. A revolving roster of guests will be sharing the bill on these Monday shows and violinist Carlos Reyes helped flesh out the music with some soul stirring solos along with bassist Terry Miller and drummer Vince Littleton.

One moment Tim’s ripping your heart out with a new ballad written for him by Richard Leiter ("Make Me Understand") and the next rocking the room ("Unchain My Heart"). If "Make Me Understand" from the new CD does not become a huge hit for Tim, then the universe has descended into chaos. Tim’s renditions of John Lennon’s "Imagine" and Tom Waits' "Jersey Girl" sum up the entire Hockenberry experience – inspired arrangements, taut vocals and pristine deliveries that make you move and move you to your core. Tim Hockenberry is San Francisco prize jewel — a modern troubadour with a huge heart and even bigger talent.

These Monday shows are a MUST-SEE for music lovers, it doesn’t get better than this. Rush to the Rrazz Room Mondays at 8pm, April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12, 19, 26, June 2, 16.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
March 31, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org