Richard Hawley In This City They Call You Love (BMG) Out Fri 31 May, 2024
Live at the Dublin Olympia Friday 24 May, 2024
Few onstage utterings strike more fear into the heart of the seasoned gig-goer than the words “And this is off the new one that comes out next week…”.
But then this is Richard Hawley, a man whose nine previous impeccably written, arranged, played and sung studio albums are the dictionary definition of consistency and exemplary taste. On the evidence of the bulk of the 12 new cuts on his first new release for five years, In This City They Call You Love is destined to make it ten out of ten. Given the instant accessibility of most of the 50s and 60s infused sonic soundscapes contained therein, it’s also likely to be a shoe-in for my and I suspect several other AWers end-of-year Top 10s.
THE ALBUM
The big question for those who’ll have to wait a few more days to immerse themselves in ITCTCYL’s 12 tracks was had Our Richard lost his mojo in the lengthy gap since 2019’s Further? They needn’t have worried. Far from taking his foot off the pedal, music’s Greatest Living Yorkshireman has been busy writing Oscar-nominated songs with Jarvis Cocker (Dear Alien from Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City). He’s also taken the opportunity to co-produce an Olivier-winning West End musical, Standing at the Sky’s Edge. Along the way, he’s somehow also found time to compile a hugely enjoyable CD of picks from his vast – 5,000 or so disc – collection of 50s and 60s singles (Ace Records’ 28 Little Bangers from Richard Hawley’s Jukebox).
The impressive end result of his creative off-piste spans everything from menacing quasi-rockers (the doomy, creeping bass-lead album opener and first single, Two for His Heels to mournful Hank Williams tributes (Hear that Lonesome Whistle Blow). After a slowish start – the aforementioned Heels and somewhat ploddy Have Love, the album hits the gorgeously simple and simply gorgeous motherlode that makes Mr H. such a singular talent. Built on timelessly poppy melodies Prism in Jeans, Heavy Rain and mandatory Sheffield song People (whose lyrics provide the album’s title) are all fitting additions to a catalogue already stuffed with stone-cold classics such as Open Up Your Door and The Ocean.
While he’d apparently been knocking out classics like Coles Corner from the age of 16, young Rich initially earned his crust as a shit-hot guitarist with The Longpigs and Pulp. Let off the leash on his 2012 album Standing at the Sky’s Edge, his attack dog playing on the title track and the Beatlesque She Brings The Sunlight, came across as a little overwhelming on first listen. On ITCTCYL, the heaviness is scaled back a little and the collection sounds all the richer and more textured for it. Played on guitars given or bequeathed to him by his musician father, friends, idols and/or collaborators like Duane Eddy and Scott Walker, R’s sinuous soloing on Do I Really Need to Know and edgy atmospherics on Deep Space are two excellent examples.
ITCTCYL ends on a high with a trio of quintessentially bittersweet ballads – DIRNTK, When the Lights Go Out and ‘Tis Night (“An open book of spells, cast on two ne’er-do-wells”.) Reminiscent of Hollow Meadow’s Thursday PM, the latter is one of those achingly beautiful songs that other writers would kill for and Mr. H regularly knocks off between pints and gaspers down the pub.
THE GIG
All of which brings us neatly back to last Friday’s official opening night of RH’s 2024 tour at the Dublin’s wonderful 100+ year old Olympia Theatre. As visually plush as Mr. H’s voice and arrangements are lush, the grand old Dame of Dublin’s theatreland is the perfect backdrop for a performer whose best songs are simultaneously both sweeping and intimate.
The evening’s generous 17-song set features six tracks off the new album – Heels, Prism, Lonesome, Deep Space, People and Heavy Rain plus three each from Coles Corner and Standing at the Sky’s Edge.
Kicking things off is SATSKE’s psychedelia-infused Sunlight – one of several guitar-heavy songs which will form the spine of tonight’s cracking set. “I fucking love Dublin”, says tonight’s headliner at the song’s close and from the roar of approval he gets from the capacity crowd, it’s clear that Dublin loves him back. During his customary end of show request for advice on the best local boozer in which to enjoy a relaxing post-gig pint, he’ll also give a grateful shout out for early supporter, Whelans.
While Mr.H never actually says the words quoted at the very start of this review, he doesn’t really need to. Such is the quality of the new songs played tonight that they seamlessly fit into a beautifully paced set and are as rapturously received as old favourites such as Tonight the Streets are Ours, Just Like the Rain and Don’t Stare at the Sun.
If you held a gun to my head – and my immediate neighbours in Roscommon would probably very much like you to do just that – I’d select tonight’s standout tracks as Heavy Rain, Heart of Oak and People. Dedicated to recently departed lifelong friend and musical collaborator, Steve Mackey, Rain is a truly moving tribute to a fallen comrade, while Heart of Oak’s infectious riffing is a perfect way to end a set on a high. The first of the night’s two encores, People “Twelve hours a day by the furnace and forges … crawlin’ home in the cold of the mornin’” is perhaps our hero’s most touching tribute yet to his home city and muse.
SETLIST
1. She Brings the Sunlight
2. Two for His Heels
3. Prism in Jeans
4. Open Up Your Door
5. Standing at the Sky’s Edge
6. Deep Space
7. Just Like the Rain
8. Lonesome Whistle
9. Tonight the Streets Are Ours
10. Alone
11. Coles Corner
12. Heavy Rain
13. Don’t Stare at the Sun
14. Is There a Pill?
15. Heart of Oak
ENCORE:
16. People
17. The Ocean
Not normally a fan of phones at gigs, but this is up there so might as well use it.
My apols for failing to credit RH’s band – not easy writing down names in a crowd, even harder when you realize you forgot your pen
Magnificent review. I’ve got a big Richard Hawley gap* in the record collection, but I think I may be looking to reduce that shortfall over the coming weeks.
*I’ve got ‘Further’, ‘Standing At…’ and ‘Lady’s Bridge’. I’ll buy this new one for sure – and it sounds like I need to grab ‘Coles Corner’ as well. Other highlights from the rest?
Truelove’s Gutter is my pick.
My favourite too
I would go for Lowedges too -earlier magnificence.
Excellent, very comprehensive review! Thanks! It made me very keen to hear his new LP.
It also made me add Coles Corner to Most Beautiful Songs of 21st century playlist.
Although there are clearly many other RH songs which would have fitted the bill
Great twofer review.
His outstanding show down here a few years ago was rapturously received. I fear he may not tour Oz again – he doesn’t seem like the troubadour type. The new album will have to do.
And my vote is for Truelove’s Gutter as well.
Cc and TG are classic RH.
Recorded in a cave of that name just outside Sheffield, the splendidly named Live at the Devil’s Arsehole is also worth hunting down
You’ve sold me on the new album, @Jaygee
do hope he plays nearby, as that was a cracking review, and I like everything i’ve heard by him.
@Vincent
https://www.richardhawley.co.uk/
Gent!
Such a great nickname! I googled “Steel City Sinatra” and came across this very entertaining interview.
https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsandculture/arid-41399146.html
Full of excellent anecdotes. Mr Hawley does like his Guiness!
Pretty sure that someone here mentioned that Pat Carty used to be an AWer a a few years back
Indeed he was.
Apart from the alliteration, he doesn’t sound anything like Sinatra, does he?
Rumbled and with a hamper only a tantalizing 85 posts away
My missus reckons he sounds like Elvis.
Your missus is right, Vulpes. There’s certainly a smidgeon of Presley there. And even maybe a morsel of Sinatra. And definitely a dash of Duane Eddy.
Sizzling sax here from Ron Dziubla.
I’m still struggling to come up with a suitably alliterative Sheffield-centric turn of phrase that reflects RH’s Elvis-like status
Best I’ve come up with thus far is Cutlery City King, which doesn’t really cut it
Hallam Hound Dog?
Arf
Longpigs Lounge Lizard.
Coles Corner Crooner?
Mappin & Webb Maestro?
The Bramall Lane Bennett
To help this post to the tonnage.
In an interview in the i on Friday the Steel City Sinatra said that he would rather shit on his hands and clap than vote tory. I think that’s a no.
I caught a bit of this radio show yesterday while driving – interview with RH and some acoustic live in studio. If anybody’s interested…I think you can listen anywhere
https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/11633823/
Edit: I just road tested it there and unless you want a pile of adverts, the Angelus and the news in Irish, skip to about 8 minutes in…actually, the Angelus might do you no harm whatsoever – a bit of peaceful reflection.
Finally got a physical copy of this. It really is very good indeed