Review | Dann Huff – When Words Aren’t Enough

Baked Alaska Records

Isn’t this a nice surprise? After a bunch of decades in music guitarist/producer/composer Dann Huff has released his very first solo-album ‘When Words Aren’t Enough’. Just a quick journey through history. Dann and his brother David (drums) were founding members of the Christian rock band White Heart. Around 1985 Dann moved to Los Angeles to try out his luck there and together with David, bass player Mike Brignardello plus keyboarder Alan Pasqua started the band Giant. His band members pushed Dann into being the singer as well. Somewhere in 1989 their debut ‘Last Of The Runaways’ was one of the very best rock albums of that year. Several singles of that album landed in the Billboard.

I happened to be in Los Angeles in 1989 visiting the Foundations Forum and bumped into their manager Bud Prager (also the man behind Mountain and Foreigner and unfortunately no longer with us). He was surprised to hear that I already had the CD version of the album (an expensive import in those days). And he was keen to organise an interview with the whole band in their rehearsal room the next day. As an exclusive Aardschok magazine was able to introduce this band to the Benelux audience. Even before there was an official release in Europe.

TIME TO BURN

Although the album did pretty well, it took some 3 years (including a record company switch) for the second album ‘Time To Burn’ to be released. Again, a very well-liked record with several classy songs. But it drowned together with so many other rock records because a thing called ‘grunge’ had reared its head and basically ruined a lot of potential big careers including that of Giant. Another problem for Dann was the fact that he was in high demand as session musician. That much that he decided to move back to Nashville to be close to his family as well. From that moment on Dann’s career flourished. Not only as session guitarist, but also as songwriter, producer, and touring musician. If you look at his Wikipedia page you will be stunned by the work he has done.

III

In 2001 Giant made a return to the scene with the album ‘III’, but that was short lived. When David Huff in 2010 came up with a revamped version of Giant Dann played on several songs on the 2010 album ‘Promise Land’ but left the singing to Terry Brock (Strangeways). As we all know Giant still exists today with David at the helm, assisted by Mike Brignardello. While Perfect Plan vocalist Kent Hilli is the man behind the microphone on the last 2 albums (‘Shifting Time’ and ‘Stand And Deliver’). Dann is slightly involved but more on the background than ever.

A PUSH BY FRIENDS

While working with other artists, producing and writing away, several befriended musicians started pushing Dann into doing something for himself. And slowly but surely that feeling of doing something exciting began taking over. Dann started writing songs that he recorded in his own studio with drummer Jerry Roe and bass player Mark Hill. Assisted by various friends Dann Huff makes a return with ten instrumental tracks that vary from heavy rock, a touch of funk plus a bluesy feel, material inspired by several early influences such as Jeff Beck and Steve Lukather.

DANN HUFF – THE CONCLUSION

This album sounds good and relaxed every minute of the day. It is easy to digest. It has got nothing to do with Giant or White Heart but you sense, feel, and hear that Dann Huff is still a rock guitarist at heart. His technique, riffs and melody lines are at times quite stunning. I find it a pity that Dann is not singing on this record, but when you hear the songs that most of the time are based on a nice theme, it is not that peculiar at all. Although the songs have an open construction, there is a lot happening on tracks such as ,,Colorado Creepin’’’ and ,,Waiting On A Whisper’’ that has a gorgeous string arrangement. Also, the title-track that is closing the album is of enormous beauty. Simple yet very intense.

I like this album very much. It shows Dann Huff from a different musical side and if you take the time to take his efforts to heart, you will most likely come to the same conclusion. Beautiful, emotional, intense, and inspired playing by Dann Huff. Just take a listen. Hopefully this album will inspire him to make another one in the future. It is out on vinyl and CD. Look up the website of Baked Alaska Records for more information if you have trouble locating this release!

Release date: 30 May 2025

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