Richard Hawley - In This City They Call You 
Love (BMG)
Release Date: Out Now
I had a conversation with a friend recently which culminated in likening Richard Hawley to Roy Hodgson in that they are both underrated, always bring their A-Game and have a sense of the cheeky gentleman about them that guarantees they would have a great trade in stories to tell. That being the case, we planned a road-trip TV show for the pair where they visit old industrial towns and reminisce. The soundtrack to that TV show would be Hawley's latest album, 'In This City They Call You Love', a stunning ode to a city - Sheffield to be precise. Opening with 'Two For His Heels', Hawley's trade mark croon soothes the clattering percussion and juddering guitars that sound like Orange Juice doing a lounge song.
The gorgeous guitar sounds continue on 'Have Love' but the mood is mellower with hints of Guy Garvey and Jim Morrison in the stylish delivery but also a 50s feel to the songwriting. Similarly, 'Prism In Jeans' borrows from the likes of Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens with an innocence that you don't hear in music much these days while 'Heavy Rain' drops down a few gears for star spangled lullaby. The low rumble of 'People' has hints of Jarvis Cocker singing Johnny Cash with a Yorkshire take on the subdued country'n'western vibe before 'Hear That Lonesome Whistle Blow' takes you on a slow mosey down Eccleshall Road early on a Sunday morning.
The stomp of 'Deep Space' changes the air and gives a sense of determination that makes it a great song for walking through the cold night to if you're in a hurry or a bad mood. The sombre and subdued 'Deep Waters' has a New Orleans funeral vibe while 'I'll Never Get Over You' has the kind of sound that you want to hear when you're driving through the desert (or Pennines) in the middle of the night just to get away from heartbreak. Hawley's class and quiet confidence oozes all over this record, not least on 'Do I Really Need To Know?' as he plays with charm, ease and no small amount of charisma. Penultimate track 'When The Lights Go Out' is a delightfully tender and warm sounding melody that would soothe the most savage of beasts to sleep and leads us to the album's denouement, ''Tis Night' which brings us close to the Christmas single duet with Roy Hodgson. A beautiful, charming and effortlessly stylish album full of warmth and genuine affection - make it part your life why don't you?
More information: https://www.facebook.com/RichardHawleyOfficial
Live Dates:
AUGUST 2024
15-18 - DEVON, BEAUTIFUL DAYS FESTIVAL
29 - SHEFFIELD, DON VALLEY BOWL w/THE CORAL + THE DIVINE COMEDY