Saturday, 11 September 2010 
Other Reviews
Tales of Love, War and Death by Hanging
Hearts And Minds
False Lights From The Land EP
Folk Against Fascism
The Longshot
Blue Beginnings
Levellers Live
Show Of Hands
Dust And Gold
Steve Knightley & Jenna
21/06/2010
False Lights From The Land EP
Richard Hawley
This EP comes on the heels of his BBC Radio 2 series 'The Ocean' in which Hawley explored the way seafaring culture has influenced British music, literature, poetry and art. At the 2010 Folk Awards he presented an award to Martin Simpson, In his speech Hawley remarked on being so in awe when Norma Waterson sang an unaccompanied song for him during the recording of the series, the experience reduced him to 'a puddle of piss'. His exploration of the artistry of songwriting and the relationship it has with the land and sea was masterful.
That Richard Hawley is a Top Bloke is common knowledge, with a CV that includes The Lovebirds, The Longpigs and Pulp, a solo career that has cemented him as one of the UK's best guitarists with Brit award nominations, and of course his position as global ambassador for Sheffield. In fact to get a grip on his career have a look at his family tree by clicking here
The EP features two of Richards compositions; Remorse Code and There's a Storm A Comin' in both of which Hawley's voice rises and falls like a sea swell. It's his timeless voice and guitar playing that marks him as such a singular talent, owing much to the 1950's yet being rooted in the here and now.
The Ellan Vannin Tragedy was written about the sinking of the steam packet Ellan Vannin in 1909, sailing from the Isle Of Man to Liverpool. Setting off in calm conditions yet 'This little ship was bound for hell', they soon deteriorated to storm force 11 with 20 foot waves. She filled with water and sank by the stern, all 15 passengers and 21 crew were lost. Written by Hughie Jones of The Spinners, Hawley's version sets hairs on end at the thought of the infinite depths of the sea claiming souls across the ages.
Shallow Brown is a trad song that evokes the emotional wrench of leaving loved ones behind by all of those who sailed to new lands. Whether being transported, evicted or colonising new lands the sea has been the road that all had to travel. The world must have seemed so vast, whereas now we are all connected and hopping continents is merely a drag before the holiday starts. Hawley evoked this world of adventure and danger in his series and this EP is a summation of that world. If you can, get it on vinyl, the warmth and depth is revealed beautifully.
Incidentally, Shallow Brown and The Ellan Vannin Tragedy feature the Smoke Fairies, who are sublime.
Iain Hazlewood