The Hands – Everything is Wonderful
Everything is Wonderful – The Hands
By Chris Peken
If I mentioned two brothers playing together on the same instrument you might think the Emmanuel Brothers. If we were talking about piano duets you’d be forgiven for flashing back to ebony and ivory, or Billy Joel and Elton John, and I apologise for reviving those memories. The Hands on the other …hand (‘)…have nothing to apologise for. Brothers Doley – Clayton and Lachlan – on Hammond organ and Hohner clavinet respectively are bringing the timeless sounds of said instruments back. Their debut featured guest vocalists Jade MacRae and Mahalia Barnes, but second time around the boys are sick of sharing the limelight with attractive divas, going it alone on a selection of funk inspired, seventies-seeping, pop and groove tunes. The Right Time leaves no note unturned as they share vocal duties and duel on the keys, and lounge suits and game shows are sure to be evoked as you listen to the blues stroll of Check Yourself. That’s right, these two are so unhip that they are hip again. “If it’s a crime to love you too much / Then i am guilty / If it’s a crime to love you too darn much / Then i am guilty as charged” – it’s hard to believe anyone can get away with those lines and still have people singing along – The Hands can.
*** 1/2
