lady's bridge

the much anticipated (by me) new album by english singer-songwriter-guitarist richard hawley
i was handed a copy of his second solo album titled late night final about 5 years ago
it is easily one of my favourite albums and never fails to impress anyone who hears it
he has a deep, rich, melodic voice and timeless, singalong, melancholic songs
his material reminds me of what i heard coming out of the radio in the 60's
i'm talking the crooners not the rockers e.g. dean martin not the rolling stones
but he also has street cred having been a member of the english band pulp
that may well be what gives his music the edge to make it quite contemporary
so for tonight's virgin album spin for the first time ever it's lady's bridge
valentine
you've got to admire this chap's willingness to persevere
it takes about 2 bars of music to know who we are listening to
and then the voice kicks in with his trademark melancholic lyrics
don't need no valentines no no don't need no roses
just take me back in time no no now you're not here any more
but the big difference already is the massive and impressive orchestration
roll river roll
this one tells me why i like him so much as here he sounds like the masterful lambchop
totally unintentional i'm sure but both his vocal delivery and music are similar
in this case the music is allowed to take centre stage between verses
the tune cruises along beautifully with lilting piano and strings coming in and out
conjuring up images of the last couple on the dancefloor
serious
now we're off in rockabilly mode though the title would have to be tongue in cheek
when you are in love all the stars burn bright above
there's a kindness in your eyes there's no darkness in the skies
and it bops along like a tune that could be playing in the happy days cafe jukebox
so so catchy it could be easily be a cover from decades ago
tonight the streets are ours
the first single from the album apparantly and a reminder why he isn't a mega-star
for it is just too obvious a single and something he can churn out endlessly
it's a good enough song and has some great production
the 60's massed female voices as backup are a great touch
but it just lacks that as they say 'wow' factor
lady solitude
get the feeling we are now firmly entrenched in middle-album land
this one is a slower number that is used to show off his superb voice
not much going on musically apart from providing a gentle backing
i'm leaving lady solitude behind me you understand
there's a river flowing away from my door think i'll sail away
and one day baby i will feel no pain
dark road
why am i thinking johnny cash meets nick cave though that does no favours for any of them
a lovely bouncy 4/4 tune with some very nice dirgey guitar work in the middle
and his signature vocal style of hitting the lowest of notes
gets the head bopping away quite effectively
conjures up images of lonely dude out on the road looking for - something
the sea calls
clever use of brushes on cymbals gives a splashing water sound
and the lyrics talk about a journey across the sea
sort of a sailors lament to those that he has to leave behind
as he describes the powerful pull of the ocean
in the background the music very effectively builds and builds
lady's bridge
the title track from this fine album and an ode to a bridge in his home town
this one is a very typical r h tune and showcases his exceptional voice
mixed in is some very nice use of vibraphone and the familiar steel guitar
take me when you go - down to the river, down to the river
i can't forget her - i'll stay forever and watch it flow
i'm looking for someone to find (me)
rockabilly returns - or at least a very fast tune with similar instruments
no mucking around here - rocks along with rapid-fire snare drumming and stand-up bass
another example of a contemporary tune sounding like it could have come from the 60's
which really is his trademark style with no intention i am sure
easily the fastest tune so far but still with very clear vocals
our darkness
starts out as the quiet, slow number of the album
and then builds as the orchestra is re-introduced and takes over
this is a lovely number describing the sharing of darkness with the loved one
through streets and avenues will you come back to your lover
a place for me and you we see it with no other in darkness our darkness
the sun refused to shine
almost spoken like vocals with a female voice shadowing
echoey production with orchestral percussion happening in the background
i don't think i will be the only one to think of leonard cohen vocal style
very inventive instrumentation means we exit the album very naturally
...and hit the repeat play button

this is a fine album that can and will be listened to repeatedly
and another one that can be recommended with great confidence
for anyone that loves real and many instruments, vocals that can be heard and discerned, and tunes that are varied and memorable
it's a beauty