I can't recall if it was Mozart or Beethoven who sadly reflected during a societal function over a hundred years ago, that there really is no such thing as a completely original piece of music. After all, there are only so many notes.......
  Upon first listening to Billy Hector's new CD Hard To Please (Ghetto Surf Music, P.O. Box 573, Spring Lake N.Y. 07762), I often attempted to identify a phrase or passage that sounded vaguely familiar, but difficult to place.
  Each episode of pseudo familiarity drew me deeper into the very essence of this excitingly original artist. This singer,songwriter, guitarist draws from the role models that he so strongly identified with, but he composes and performs as himself. His montage of sound is straight and simple blues based music that elicits a sense of well being. There is a self awareness and confidence in each and every tune that is nor only enjoyable and involving, but is reassuring in a subliminal way. There are traces of Billy's many influences, but he is the master of expression. There is no filler, no by product, no padding. At any tempo, this music is truthful and faithful to the core. Billy Hector is pure. The real deal. And, he enjoys telling you about it.
  At the tender age of 9, Billy was captivated by the British Invasion, like many of us on this side of the Atlantic. Eventually, he connected with the originators, and he began to study the techniques of his contemporaries like Freddie King, Jimi Hendrix, and Roy Buchanan.
  His early professional career began when his band The Stone Poneys replaced Southside Johnny at a local Jersey club. He currently tours with bassist Winston Roye(Roger Daltry, Nile Rodgers) and drummer Larry Crockett (Martha Reeves, The Four Tops). Most of his current material is original, and is dedicated to the masters that he admires.
  Lead guitar alone does not a frontman make, and Billy adheres to this tenet with commitment and dedication. This current CD has a live feel to it(a plus on my personal preference sheet), and we are treated to a host of hooks and rhythms that define and shape the many appealing moods that are composed with expertise, much like the way a painter creates a landscape. His economic style is , at times, lush with many colors. This may seem like a contradiction. It is, in fact, a unique voice.
  Evaleen is a swamp rock riffing concoction replete with maracas. His spare, snarly, twisting growling and bending leads seem to be smiling through a John Fogerty-like fuzz tone that broadens the presentation even further.
  The Creeper sounds like an old man. Not the vocal per se, not the instruments, but the track itself. It's a voodoo, late at night moaner that will make you wish someone you trust was right next to you in the dark. Whew!
  Whiskey has that (making it's way back) mixed down tremolo rhythm that gives a dark, dreary hopeless tone to a tortured and desperate distorted lead guitar that holds it all together with an exceptionally melodic framework. It creaks. And it's evil.
  Sally Said is glued together with a Creedence based rolling freight train chord structure that is complemented by a baritone lead guitar that sings, quacks, and twangs on the bottom strings with a country like drawling notes that evoke Luther Perkins and Duane Eddy. And yes, it does sound like blues!!
  The vocals are gritty and flexible, taking on a different texture with each tune. The band is strong and supports the leader with finesse.
  Billy and his collaborator Suzan Lastovica have succeeded in presenting the music in an accessible format. Billy told us in a recent interview,"Suzan has a very discreet ear. This would not take form without her." He sees blues today as jazzy and soulful. "the future will not be blues as we know it. After all, there's only one Wolf...This music will define modern society with rhythm..Rap might be today's blues.. Out of one culture speaking to another. Just folks talkin'." This reality based interpretation very likely gives his music that urgency to communicate. It succeeds very well.
  Billy's equipment is rather esoteric, another strong factor in his singular sound. In addition to the aforementioned baritone guitar, his main guitar is a Lindy Fralin powered Stratocaster. He also uses a Telecaster and a Firebird in open tunings for slide work.
  A Roland JC amp highlights several solo tracks. Tube freaks should give this a listen. At Caesar Diaz's suggestion, two twelve inch speakers in a Bassman like tube amp were replace with a single fifteen inch bass driver. Billy says "It tightened up the bottom and really didn't eliminate any of the highs." Finally a Boss Super Overdrive gives a distinctive feel to an already unconventional setup.
  Keep in mind that tone is not derived only through equipment. That ever important technique must be the engine that powers the sound.
  Mr. Hector has appeared with B.B. King, Billy Preston, The Neville Brothers, Buddy Guy, Dr. John, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Robbie Earl, and Koko Taylor. The movie No Way Out , currently available on video, features the band performing Whisky.