A Funny Thing Happened At The Opera...
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Artist:
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Album:Truelove's Gutter
... my breath was taken away.
On October 3rd I hopped on a train to pretty York, and entered its Grand Opera House to see Richard Hawley. The opera is small but beautiful, with scents and colours from another time.
(not my picture)
Richard Hawley and his band put on a show so tight that would put many others to shame. The new addition in the team, a gentleman playing, among other things, musical saw, seems right at home with them.
The songs work wonderfully live. I really like the albums, but when live, the music goes to a whole other level. No matter how you feel about his work, he is a phenomenon that should be experienced live. You can FEEL his voice with every pore in your body. It just takes you by the hair down to amazing depths.
We heard songs from the new album, Truelove's Gutter, and old favourites, such as In Your Arms and The Ocean, which, I'm not ashamed to admit, gave me chills.
What's more, Hawley is one of the most effortlessly cool and charming frontmen I've ever seen. He goes from witty banter to mesmerizing intimacy before you can say 'snake charmer'.
Thank you for a magnificent night, Richard, you beautiful, beautiful man you.
Here are three gems of songs from the new album. Listen, fall in love, and I'll see you in the gutter.
Remorse Code:
Soldier On (wait for it to explode):
For Your Lover Give Some Time (first single):
Comments (23)
It's really really hard to pick my favourites from the new album. It's just such a connected fragile affair. Thus, you will be flooded with mp3s! Muwhahahahah!
Don't You Cry, with a beautiful saw solo:
OK, I admit it, I had lost sight of Richard Hawley since Coles Corner. I had no clue that he had released another album. I am no longer blind, but see. "Soldier On" is all sorts of beautiful. And to see him in an opera house ... wow.
Check it out, brother! And another one before this latest one, Lady's Bridge, which is also beautiful. Here's one song off it that has a special place in my heart, although it's not slow-burning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eBkrs4YpzI
When he sings 'and no one else can haunt me the way that you can haunt me', I'm floored.
Opera seemed like a perfect sort of environment for him, it was wonderful!
i really like that photo of the orchestra seating and balconies, what a lovely room. good music and a good space can be transcendent, no?
its not my usual strain of tea leaf, but. yea. Remorse Code is soothing these nerves of mine
You speak the truth! Not to mention that it felt good for a change to be at a show without trying to decide which drunken teenager you should slap first (it can be quite distracting, I assure you).
Glad you enjoyed! It's not my usual crime scene either, but greatness is greatness (do not use this against me in the future!).
HA! so tempted to say something uncultured right now... but I will censor myself because comments are forever :)
I will sort out the drunk teens of today! Enroll in my program now!
Oh...you almost lost me at Opera...I loath the specticle of an opera...funny things RARELY happen at an opera.
But those sounds...that's wonderful.
The what?!? And who?!? oh my...
Live music is all about the experience and the setting, the surrounds, the crowd...sounds like you had a perfect night.
but be honest. You wanted to slap someone, right? Even if it was that little old lady clearing her throat. right?
Gorgeous, delicate music Anna. Heard of him but not heard his music. Not sure I'd track it down but it's definitely well worth the listen. I do love his voice, it's so rich.
This music waves over me in such a pleasant way. I could only imagine the tingles in an opera house like that.
"Soldier On" is particularly dear to me. Thank you.
These songs and his voice make me want to just lift up and float off into the stars.
I can see why an opera house would be a perfect setting for him. Like Gusty, I've heard his name around for quite a while, never ran across his music. Thank you for sharing.
I was expecting this to be some sort of joke, similar to a blind guy walks into a bar..................
hearing the clock tick through my headphones on 'cry' was delicious.
madrid, your discretion is noted and highly appreciated ;)
I'll enrol in your programme if you promise it will get violent!
Annie, ow, really? I've only been to two operas in my life, both in the UK, and they were such beautiful venues.
Glad you enjoyed the tunes!
Adam, admit that you liked the who and the what.. I know you did!
Amber, it was a glorious night.
Well... since you cornered me like that and pressured me into admitting my mental crimes... it did occur to me that MAYBE I could have slapped a 45 year old bloke that kept sneezing, coughing, and leaving his seat.... are you happy now that your psychological violence paid off???! ;)
Uncle A, really happy to hear that. His voice is a force of nature. I just love male voices like that. Slay me, troubadour, slay me (that could be a line from a really bad porn film)!
cocolocoblondie, the venue complimented his music almost unbearably (that's supposed to be a good thing)!
Soldier On is my personal favourite off the new album...
Let's float together, Lady Miss Ian! You're very welcome. I adore his music so and it makes me really happy to share it and see you react so positive to it!
Kevin, me going to an opera should be enough of a joke! ;)
Good thinking, Sam. Headphones make this type of music even more marvellous than it already is!
I've tried, I really have but there is a word that haunts Hawley just like Cocker;
Crooner
You say that like it's a bad thing!
They are on their way to Vegas....You wouldn't catch me posting about anyone like that....
Fly me to the mooooooon......
I'll fly you both to Vegas and make you watch 17 Sinatra tribute acts! ;)
:-)