Just before we say goodbye to another Throwback Thursday, here's a pic and some reviews of the Ted Hawkins album that I played on and co-produced with Ted in 1989.
Ted Hawkins & Michael Messer - The Wilde Theatre, Bracknell, UK, 1989
(ooops, sorry about the shirt! guitar...National Westwood)
Rediscovered by Andy Kershaw in the mid 80s, the Biloxi born singer and sometime jailbird
had a voice that sounded like Sam Cooke reincarnated, ideally suited to the world weary
soulful folk blues that formed a large extent of his repertoire. Under Kershaw's championing,
Hawkins got to release or re-release a clutch of wonderful albums throughout the 80s,
touring the UK where he had found a far more appreciative audience than back home in America,
before returning to Venice Beach in 89. In 1994 he signed to Geffen and seemed to be on
the bring of a major breakthrough when fate played its cruel hand and he died of a stroke.
What remains though is a collection of timeless albums and an army of fans dedicated to keeping
his memory alive. Musician Michael Messer is one such and it was he who produced this 1989 set,
originally released to almost instant obscurity as I Love You Too, but rescued and put back
on the shelves where it belongs last year thanks to Messer's efforts. Featuring Baby,
the first song Hawkins ever wrote, it's a typical warm, easy on the ear set as he
works his way through love songs, songs about being stuck in jail, about fickle success,
and even a medley of nursery rhymes rearranged to bring out deeper, personal meanings and emotions.
Who'd have thought London Bridge is Falling Down could sound so heartbreaking. Like Dollar Tree,
it also ripples with the Caribbean palm wine music influence of SE Rogie, while Ding Dong Ding
veins an African coloured Bo Diddley riff into a Buddy Holly sounding melody and Who Do You Love
(one of Hawkins' many devotional songs) gently ripples with a reggae beat while sounding like
Cooke at his silkiest. Hawkins said I Love You Too was his favourite album, a sentiment
you'll likely be inclined to share.
Mike Davies
Hawkins has always been a figure on the periphery of the modern blues world
and Nowhere To Run does little to reposition him. The first two tracks feature reggae treatments
that would not have disgraced Bob Marley, and only on track three do we get some down-home blue notes.
After that there are a string of songs that echo various soul and gospel singers,
most notably Sam Cooke and Al Green. Hawkins wrote and performed
very simple material and did it feelingly: this is no doubt part of his charm
for his worldwide audience. After that, Hawkins combines both the reggae and the folk
traditions in a series of tunes that have a naïve charm, especially if the listener is willing
enough to suspend disbelief on such tracks as "Nursery Rhymes" and "Ding Dong Ding".
Perhaps Hawkins is the true successor to Joseph Spence.
If so, then he is closer to folk than blues, so if that's where you sit, this will be for you.
Keith Shadwick
Nowhere To Run captures Hawkins at the peak of his powers working with
the excellent Michael Messer Band, who also co-produced the album. Full marks
to the Michael Messer Band for their work on this accessible and thoroughly enjoyable album
Dave Drury
A 'must-get' Ted Hawkins album, 28 September, 2001
Reviewer: A music fan from Hull, UK
Where has this wonderful album been since it was recorded in 1989?
While I still think 'The next hundred years' is Teds best album, this one comes a very close second.
Ted Hawkins had (he died in 1995 or 6) one of the richest and most powerful voices
I have ever heard. To hear him live, his first vocal note commanded instant attention from the audience.
This album scores highly on the fact that ALL the songs are written by Ted Hawkins
(apart from his own version of 'nursery rhymes', but like you've never heard before).
Every song is well put together, some fantastic slide playing in there
(check out Michael Messer recordings while on-line!).
If you like Ted Hawkins, you MUST BUY this one.
If you've never heard of Ted Hawkins, now is the time to find out what you're missing!
Amazon.co.uk
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Shine On
Michael