Greg Hancock – The State of My Hair
Greg Hancock - The State of My Hair
Release Date: Out Now
Prejudice is a terrible thing but
when you overcome it you can find yourself in a brave new world. The prejudice
of which I speak is when you receive an email about a male folk musician and think
you know just how that album is going to pan out. Greg Hancock is the aforementioned
musician and his new album, ‘The State of My Hair’, is so much more than your
average folk album to the point that prescribing a genre almost seems
fruitless. The album opens up with ‘My Mother (And the State of My Hair)’ and
immediately the listener is transported in to a world that is not quite aligned
with our own as instruments and beats stutter in to life, falling in to line
like your footsteps on the way from your bed to the bathroom. When Hancock’s
voice joins in, there’s an assured sense to its tone that is somewhere between
Bill Bailey and Jake Morley due in no small part to the story-telling nature of
the song. It’s a strong start.
‘Thunderbird Wine’ is up next and
is a more chilled out affair with a countrified air and some forlorn lapsteel
guitar courtesy of Cornish maestro Ashley Height adding a real sense of reminiscence
to Hancock’s tale weaving. ‘Sarky Sally’ ripples and bubbles like county contemporaries
Wildwood Kin in the most overtly folky tune so far, recounting a childhood acquaintance
with a sharp and unrelenting wit. The PR notes that come with this release inform
me that next track ‘Christopher’ includes the word ‘crap’ which probably doesn’t
warrant a parental advisory note but the warmth of the guitar notes and the
uplifting melody is borderline criminally heart-warming, so you have been
warned.
There’s a touch of Jose Gonzalez
about the guitars on ‘Odyssey FC’ but the folky jig of Kathryn Tremlett (of
Velvet & Stone) on violin adds some urgency before ‘Three Men in a Pub’ sees
Hancock get back to reminiscing about younger days spent whiling away hours in
public houses – a noble pass time. ‘Four Spanish Words’ has a chilled, South of
France, Jazz vibe while ‘One Weekend’ potentially discusses a problem those of
more advanced years will recognise – recovering from a hangover takes longer
the older you are. That said, there may be a deeper meaning I’m missing.
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| Greg Hancock |
Greg Hancock is a master of storytelling,
an integral part of folk music, but even beyond that, there is a warmth and
creativity this music that sets it apart from other folk musicians releasing
music in 2019. ‘Coffee & Cake’ is a prime example of the warmth with late
night guitars serenading you and heartache in the lyrics while ‘A Cube of Space’
has a more lilting and arty energy with lament at its heart. The country sway
of ‘The Way of These Things’ is a song full of goodbyes and ships passing in the
night following a lifetime of wisdom learnt the hard way.
As we enter the home straight,
there’s another language warning for the inclusion of ‘bastards’ in ‘Creases
and Marks’ as Hancock’s rich, powerful vocal envelops a lifetime of physical changes
that creep up on you; “I still get taken by surprise by all these little lines
around my eyes, Fifty-fifty laughter and frowns from playing around with
bastards and clowns” (if that line doesn’t resonate with you then come back to
me in ten years – it will). ‘Bedtime Now’ closes the album out with an optimistic
feel and more of that Hancock warmth augmented by that Height lapsteel playing.
This album is one of warmth, subdued beauty and the kind of creativity that
comes from taking real care over something. I’m sure success would be welcomed
by Greg Hancock, but I feel just making the album was probably a cathartic
experience so anything else is a bonus – for all of us.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/Greg.Hancock.Music/
Live Dates:
21st March – Tremayne Hall, Falmouth
22nd March – St Paul’s Church, Starcross
23rd March – Hawthorns Hotel, Glastonbury
25th March – The View, Milton Keynes
28th March – The Prince Albert, Stroud
6th April – Holbeton Village Hall, Holbeton
12th April – City Arms, Wells
9th May – Farmers Arms, Penzance
18th May – Claypath Delicatessen, Druham
25th May – Black Dyke Mills Heritage, Queensbury
5th October – Venezia, Exeter