Northern Sun Recordings

****

Singer-songwriter Gary Hall epitomises the hard-knocks Northerner who despite being knocked down numerous times, still gets up, eyes blazing with fury, compassion and determination. Boasting a rough, anti-freeze gargling, world-weary voice, this new album is gritty, intense, often dark, and certainly passionate. This is far from easy-going, apolitical material as Gary rips ahead with a blistering attack on the ruling classes as he lays bare tales of crumbling lives in post-2010 Tory Britain torn apart by austerity, hypocrisy, injustice and Brexit. His songs can be utterly heartbreaking and poetic even when he's banging the hell out of his guitar.

Opener Play To Win is sharp and urgent, full of crunchy guitars and impossible-to-forget lyrics married to a driving rhythm that is hard to ignore. Brand New Puppets (Same Old Strings) is a hard-hitting roots rocker with the accent on the rock, as Gary shows his sure-fire pen with an honesty and rawness that gets straight to the point. Inspired by the journey of life, All Of These is a bluesy and soulful meditation on the importance of living in the present and enjoying the moment with one’s soul mate. His unique voice contains this gentle raspiness that makes his vocal delivery of What Goes Around both troubling and comforting. With Mummy’s Looks & Daddy’s Cash, he takes a swipe at those who’ve got to the top with the help of image and moneyed parents rather than talent and hard work, all sung to a gentle rhythm. A melodic piano and wistful slide guitar lay down the foundation for the sensitive Be Gentle With This Friend of Mine.

Gary Hall writes and sings about disappointment, disillusion and holding on despite it all. None more so than the closing, Crushed. He sings in the folk tradition of those who aren't afraid to jerk a few tears but doesn't mask his intentions or pull any punches. Sometimes the man gets too close for comfort for our own good, but this is a song that should be played on every radio station and television set across the country to prick the conscience of every citizen to the problems of poverty being inflicted on ordinary folks, usually through no fault of their own. Gary Hall, in a few short words and a powerfully emotional and sensitive voice, nails it.
 

www.garyhallmusic.co.uk

October 2019