Old-Fashioned Country Driven by Fun

Waylon Jennings once posed a rhetorical question in song, by way of throwing a barb at the reigning slickness in contemporary country music: “Do you think Hank done it this way?”

More than any singer alive, Wayne Hancock can answer a resounding “yes.” The raw-voiced little Texan’s second album picks up where he left off on his 1995 debut, “Thunderstorms and Neon Signs,” championing the themes and style of Hank Williams Sr., with some Jimmie Rodgers thrown in for good measure. As a new wrinkle--well, what passes for “new” in this devout traditionalist’s book--Hancock has added some western swing to go with his honky-tonk and hillbilly-blues fundamentals.

For a contemporary frame of reference, think of Hancock, 32, as a wicked imp little brother to Robert “Big Sandy” Williams, the Anaheim-based leader of Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys. Williams and Hancock both excel in giving sturdy old musical forms fresh vigor and a wry, personal slant. Where Williams is all creamy roundness in voice and easygoing amiability in temperament, his buddy, Hancock, has a raw streak that comes through in nasal, piercing intonations.

Hancock is enough of a throwback to the hobo days that he can imagine himself hitchhiking (“87 Southbound”) or catching a boxcar out of town (“Freight Line Blues”) after a cheatin’-hearted lover has betrayed his trust and threatened his pride. He’s totally believable in both scenarios. And it says something about his edginess that he is extremely believable in “Highway 54” when a distinct note of vindication enters his voice as he recounts how his girl ran off with his best friend--and then got flattened trying to beat a freight train through a railroad crossing.

Hancock’s wild soul powers the old rockabilly grinder, “Brand New Cadillac,” to the point where he sounds ready to joy-ride off a cliff, with his band of excellent guitar and horn soloists riding shotgun. But he isn’t a dark soul; “That’s What Daddy Wants” may be edgy, but it’s the edginess of a guy having a good time playing music that’s all the more fun because it is so out of step with the mannerly country music of current fashion. Hancock also has a softer side: Witness “Misery,” a lovely, swaying lament about true love tossed away that would bring a touch of Everly Brothers/Roy Orbison simplicity and grace to country radio if given a chance.

* Wayne Hancock and Southpaw Johnny and his Righthand Men play Thursday at Linda’s Doll Hut, 107 S. Adams St., Anaheim. 9 p.m. $8. (714) 533-1286.

Albums are rated on a scale of * (poor) to **** (excellent), with *** denoting a solid recommendation.