Album Review – Andrew Hawkey - “What
Did I Come Up Here For?”
To find out more, get your copy of his
CD (or download it!) - andrew-hawkey-music.co.uk
I knew Andrew Hawkey back in my
Aberystwyth days (1983-84). He was the producer at Solar Sound
Studios where I played on a Welsh album called “Bywyd Newydd” and
eventually made a vinyl release called “Jester Before the Throne.”
In his bio Andrew describes me as a “Happy-Clappy Christian Rocker”
(fairly accurate for the guy I was back then... lol.)
He was a wonderful guy to work with (in
the narrow confines of Solar Sound studio.. but that's another story)
and did a great job playing on the Jester album. It was Andrew's 12
string guitar that significantly filled out the sound.
At the age of 70... he finally got
around to producing a CD of his own works. As he explains in the
beautiful booklet that comes with the CD, his songs spring from over
forty years living and working in the hills of Mid Wales, in
particular from 1976 to 1981 at Maes Mynnach, an ancient mountainside
farmhouse accessible only on foot. A few of the songs go back to the
days at Solar Sound, but most are more recent productions.
The album kicks off in fine style with
“Hold On, Let Go.” An organ note, followed by acoustic guitar
leads us into his opening line... “So have you heard it, there's
a warning voice that wakes you in the night” and a song that
reflects on how we often hold onto the things we need to let go.
“Better hold on to something and let go of nothing at all.”
It's a thoughtful, mellow taster of things to come.
We shift up in tempo for a song about
love, that could have been, titled “Apple Green.” I highly
recommend the video on YouTube - https://youtu.be/zwujZ0xb2FI
. The artwork of the album is reflected in the video and it's a
touching, beautifully crafted song that deserves a wider listening.
“Forgiveness” is haunting track
that features an acoustic piano that reminds me of the kind of
upright piano's many of us grew up with in the front parlor. Slightly
out of tune, stylistically melancholy and a fitting accompaniment to
a song that speaks about the ghosts of childhood.
“No Shadow” features tasteful slide
guitar by Stuart Maman Bolton and reflects on this life we all live
under the ever shining sun. “The midwife sun that attends our
birth, is the selfsame sun that burns us up.” The theologian in
me hears echoes of the biblical book of Ecclesiastes
“What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under
the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains
forever.” (1:3-4)
“The Sidelines”
is a song penned by Martin Johnson about finding our place in this
crazy old world, and Andrews performance brings out the best in it!
“Treasure of Time”
reflects on just how easy it is to allow time to slip through our
fingers. As one who is often overwhelmed by procrastination, the
message “Just remember you can't put a
price on the treasure of time” is a
welcome reminder that none of us have all the time in the world in
which to do the things in life we reach towards. Some nice mandolin
breaks also feature!
“Invitation (For
N.T)” is a track back from Andrew's Solar Sound studio days,
reflecting on friendships that last... and the song is faithfully
bought into new life from a cassette tape restored by Gwyn Jones and
Donal Whelan. I like the line in this song... “There's
a soft summer mist in the valley and the gutters are chuckling with
rain, and I'm so looking forward to having you around me again.”
An album from the midst of Mid-Wales
that didn't have a harp on it just wouldn't be complete. The playing
of Sian James adds an extra dimension to “Wild Flowers” a gentle
song reflecting on lost love. “And the wild flowers grow by the
side of the road to her heart...”
On “Turn Around” Andrew reflects on
our capacity to totally misread relationships to the point where
saying sorry becomes to late. Love can be a fragile thing. His
tasteful harmonica playing adds to the vocal harmonies and lift this
song to another level.
“I had a fight with my heart” is
currently my favorite on the album. A live performance recorded at
the Cwmann Tavern in Lampeter reveals Andrew's ability to both write
and play the blues. Will Davies offers up the guitar in a performance
from 2004. Sounds like they were truly having fun with this one!
“The Land beyond Compare” reflects
our longing for home and our relationship to the land that has
nurtured and kept us. There are mystical places and amazing people
who have shared our journey.
The final track... “Senior moments”
is a fitting benediction to a wonderful collection of thought
provoking and reflective songs. Andrew sings “I continually
climb with my mind in search of direction. If the only way is up,
that's just fine, at the end of the day... What did I come up here
for?”
As I say, this is a great album and I
hope it gets the airplay and exposure it deserves. If you go for the
CD you get the artwork and lyrics as well. Get yourself a copy. I see
on Andrew's website he continues playing and performing....
“Friday 1 September, 2017:
The Senior Moments Roadshow (Andrew Hawkey & Stuart Maman Bolton)
at The Old Mill, off High Street, Llanidloes, Powys. Possible guest
appearance by Zoe Spencer. Stoically ignoring the
melancholy fact that their combined ages tot up to 144, the veterans
hit the road or, to be more precise, amble up the street, once more,
bringing you a selection of each other's songs plus some hand-picked
covers. Oh, and it just happens to be Andrew's **th birthday.
8.00pm-ish, free admission.”
