Alright?
The first word of the man as he came on stage; a sticker with 'Rock-A-Billy Radio' on the drum; songs from 5 albums; and 'where the fuck were you lot when we played pubs in Runcorn?'
As he plugged in, he turned to the crowd at the London Roundhouse... 'Ladies and Gentlemen, let's ballad!'
Class. Think 50's crooner. Think superb singer-songwriter. Think perfect post-luvvin tunes.
Richard Hawley is 40, from Sheffield UK and played in The Longpigs in the 90's before playing with Pulp. In 2000, he released his first album 'Richard Hawley' followed by 'Late Night Final' (2001), 'Lowedges' (2003), 'Coles Corner' (2005) and the latest in 2007, 'Lady's Edge'. Along the way, lots of booze, lots of drugs, LOTS of experiences.
Lauded by such people as Jarvis Cocker, REM, Nancy Sinatra, Coldplay, you kinda know he's a top fella.
I also have him covering 'Some Candy Talking' by Jesus & Mary Chain.
At the gig, plenty of tracks were played including Coles Corner, Just Like The Rain, Hotel Room, Darlin' Wait For Me, The Ocean (the closing song of the night), Born Under A Sign, I Sleep Alone, Valentine, Roll River Roll, Serious, The Streets Are Ours, Dark Road, Lady's Bridge, Baby You're My Light.... the list goes on!
To be stood so close to the man, arms around a loved one... a night to remember.
The Roundhouse is a great venue but the bars could do with sorting out... I mean RH loves Guinness... but guess what they don't serve there?