Richard Hawley is an intriguing character - a rough-looking, gravel-voiced bloke from Sheffield who (on first impressions, at least) you wouldn't trust to play spoons the right way round.
Behind the almost geeky sixth former image and self-deprecating, gruff small talk, there's a smooth, stylish, confident giant of a musician, singer, songwriter and...funnyman.
Richard Hawley
Philharmonic, Liverpool
Image consultants could make a pretty fortune out of ex-Pulp guitarist Hawley, not that he'd let them. Yorkshire today. Hollywood and beyond tomorrow? In fact, he could even be the next James Bond if he wanted. Might have to cut out the booze and fags, though.
Instead he lets his music do the talking, perhaps preferring a quiet life in the corner of a favourite pub, humming ditties and practising his already excellent swearing?
I owe him a 'thank you,' actually. Prior to his performance at the Liverpool Phil, my missus thought I was the epitome of complexity and coarseness.
Hawley's music is melodic, spell-binding, inspirational, poignant and beautifully crafted. There's bits of jazz, swing, rockabilly, country and western, pop, even classical violins (at one point I thought heard the strains of my favourite Mahler) - all combined to make some memorable songs, mostly featuring haunting electric guitar riffs.
He crammed the best of his work into two hours which passed as quickly and comfortably as an episode of Coronation Street, all set against blue chiffon curtains and a glitterball.
The title track of his 2005 album Coles Corner (short-listed for the Mercury Prize) is a modern classic or 'standard' as swing buffs say. Sinatra would have killed (or got someone to kill) for it and no doubt Robbie Williams has already toyed with the idea of covering it and making another million.
The show's finale was a no-holds-barred version of another single The Ocean, while Tonight The Streets Are Ours (his biggest hit to date and a Radio 2 favourite) got the audience tapping their feet if not dancing in the aisles.
Roll River Roll, The Sea Calls, Lady's Bridge, Valentine and Born Under a Bad Sign stood out, while the rockabilly numbers provided light interludes.
In between songs there's some feisty and amusing banter with fans, who appeared to include students, musicians, a few oldies and plenty of zombied 30-something parents trying hard to enjoy a rare night out, while glimpsing for text messages from the baby-sitter.
Newspapers are always carrying details of daft surveys about Marmite, sexy bums and celebrity smiles. If ever you're stopped in the street and asked: 'Who would you most like to get drunk with in a sleazy bar?' the answer should be Richard Hawley. But, make sure he brings along his guitar as well. Top bloke.
- Post to:
del.icio.us
Digg
Newsvine
Nowpublic
Reddit
« Previous | Home | Next »