Molly Hatchet
Ridgefield Playhouse
Ridgefield, Connecticut
September 18, 2008
Tony Pijar
When Molly Hatchet’s on, they’re really on, and when they’re off they’re still good enough. Thankfully, they brought their ‘A’ game to Ridgefield. The set list in past visits was less than spectacular with a plethora of covers violating the evening and overshadowing their vast catalogue. Well, they dug deep and pulled out some gems for this show.
As always, the primary focal point leader and owner of the band name Bobby Ingram. He is the epitome of a southern rocker/guitarist and vocalist Phil McCormack isn’t too far behind, still the only and absolute best replacement for the late, great Danny Joe Brown. Dave Hlubek, once the band’s unofficial leader back in the day, is still somewhat in the background, but does sneak up to center stage every so often. Still it’s sad that he has been relegated to a background role after being the dominant leader and figurehead of Hatchet during their golden years.
“Whiskey Man” was the perfect opener, and from there the band found a perfect groove between old and new. “Gator Country” with Hlubek playing some scorching lead (he’s still got it!) is the essence of the three guitar southern rock attack. Latest single, “Son of the South”, is the best song they’ve penned in a while; it has a catchy hook and a sing-a-long chorus. “Dreams I’ll Never See”, seemingly more Hatchet than Allmans nowadays, was still the show’s highlight (God, I remember seeing this back in 1979!). “Flirtin’ with Disaster” still kicked ass! The surprise additions to the set list were the seldom played “One Man’s Pleasure” and “Jukin’ City” (my fave hatchet song). When a southern band’s on target, I don’t think there’s anything better!
