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Andrew Hawkey
01. Hold On, Lets Go
02. Apple Green
03. Foregiveness
04. No Shadow
05. The Sideslines
06. Treasure of Time
07. Invitation (For N.T.)
08. Wild Flowers
09. Turn Around
10. I Had A Fight With My Heart
11. The Land Beyond Compare
12. Senior Moments

On his first solo release in 32 years, this veteran septuagenarian Cornish-born multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter delivers 12 reflective, articulate, and unashamedly sentimental songs that spring from over 40 years living and working in the wild hills of Mid-Wales. Hawkey's rich and emotivelead and harmony vocals, 12-string guitar, piano, organ, and harmonicas, complemented by tasteful guitar, bass and percussion from Stuart Maman Bolton and lovely mandolin from David Cornelius Eger, as well as a guest appearance from Wales' finest folk harpist/singer Sian James, combine to evoke the atmosphere of the upland wilderness (as captured in the CD's digifile cover art and 16-page colour booklet), with more than a hint of the best of Americana: a lifelong vinyl junkie, Hawkey cites Townes Van Zandt as a major touchstone (on his website blog page he reveals many more names that matter to him). In addition to nine freshly minted songs, I Had A Fight With My Heart is a live archive recording with legendary British bluesman Pat Grover's Blue Zeros, of which Hawkey was a member for over two decades, while Forgiveness and Invitation (For N.T.) are rare unreleased early-'80s recordings, restored at last.

Since its release in April 2015, What Did I Come Up Here For has met with critical acclaim, and benefited from airplay on BBC and internet stations. Here's what some of the reviewers say:

'[a] fine meditation on life … superb songs stuffed full of fine lyrics … moments that are actually quite sublime … Hawkey is able to reflect on life with a grace and wisdom that at times recalls the poetry of WB Yeats, while his music is akin to the work of Christy Moore or Jackie Leven … Wonderful.' - No Depression

'There are shades of Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, and Gerry Rafferty … The writing, backing music and vocal performances are strong across the whole record … [a] fine collection.' - R2

'Apple Green is simply beautiful. And if anyone with half an ear in radio hears, it will become a daytime favourite – trust me … grown-up music for people who appreciate the intricacies of a well constructed and delivered song.' - Rocking Magpie

' … hugely gracious and intimate songs … it feels humbling to be involved as the listener such is the intensity of his gentle lyrics and flowing melodies … [the songs] are honest, beautifully constructed, endlessly rewarding and passionately delivered in ways that remind me, pleasingly, of Mike Scott and his Waterboys at their most delightful heights, with warm hints of Christy Moore charm and Nick Drake dreaminess in there, too … This album is a gem and succumbing to its powerful reflections is such a pleasure.' - Fatea

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwujZ0xb2FI

 

September 2015

 

Andrew Hawkey - What I Did I Come Up Here For?

Andrew Hawkey

CD (Cat No: 324456)

£10.99
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Andrew  Hawkey - What I Did I Come Up Here For?

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