Search - Tim Hardin :: Bird on a Wire

Smoky blend of folk and blues

Pieter | Johannesburg | 05/31/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"On this lost classic Hardin returns to his roots with a smoky jazzy vocal delivery, supported by guitar, keyboards, bass, drums, percussion, vibes, cello, harp and pedal steel.



Leonard Cohen's title track and songs like the cover of Satisfied Mind and his own composition Hoboin' display a poignant sense of longing.



More than a dozen folk and jazz musicians worked on this album, but keyboardist Joe Zawinul and guitarist Ralph Towner deserve special accolades for their instrumental virtuosity that subtly and successfully integrates Hardin's various stylistic influences.



As a romantic musical poet, Hardin was unique in that he straddled the fields of folk and blues. His symbolic imagery and haunting vocals remind me somewhat of that other tragic singer-songwriter, the great Nick Drake.



I also recommend the albums Reason To Believe:The Best Of, and The Essential Classic Hardin, 1963 - 1980.

"

Introspective songs in a fusion of folk and blues

Pieter | Johannesburg | 05/31/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"On Bird On A Wire, Tim Hardin returns to his roots with a smoky jazzy vocal delivery, supported by guitar, keyboards, bass, drums, percussion, vibes, cello, harp and pedal steel.



Leonard Cohen's famous title track and songs like the cover of Satisfied Mind and his own composition Hoboin' display a poignant sense of longing. André Johray could be interpreted as autobiographical as it describes the turmoil and insecurity caused by fame.



More than a dozen folk and jazz musicians contributed to this album, but keyboardist Joe Zawinul, guitarist Ralph Towner and bassist Tony Levin deserve special accolades for their instrumental virtuosity that subtly and successfully integrates Hardin's various stylistic influences.



As a romantic musical poet, Hardin was unique in that he straddled the fields of folk and blues. His symbolic imagery and haunting vocals remind me somewhat of that other tragic singer-songwriter, the great Nick Drake.



The only other artists I can think of that occasionally resemble Hardin's bluesy folk are Nina Simone and the band Palace Music on their album Viva Last Blues.



To enjoy the best of Tim Hardin, I recommend the albums Reason To Believe: The Best Of, and The Essential Classic Hardin, 1963 - 1980.

"