Richard Hawley Lowedges CD

Though it was this album's follow-up, COLES CORNER, that was Richard Hawley's mainstream breakthrough, 2003's LOWEDGES alerted the British chamber pop cognoscenti that former session guitarist Richard Hawley was a talent to be reckoned with. At a time when the majority of his compatriots on the U.K. indie scene were taking their cues from the politely twee Belle and Sebastian, LOWEDGES was far richer stuff; a layered, emotionally shaded, and beautifully textured album with detailed arrangements, melodic songwriting, and emotive vocals that recall the best work of chamber pop cult hero Scott Walker, as well as Nick Drake's semi-orchestral BRYTER LAYER. First single "Run For Me" is a minor masterpiece of Burt Bacharach-inspired adult pop, and both "The Nights Are Made For Us" and "You Don't Miss Your Water (Till the River Runs Dry)" reveal a strong 1960s soul influence, although the latter is actually not the similarly titled 1968 Stax hit by William Bell.

Massively anticipated follow up to 2001's acclaimed 'Late Night Final'. Displaying his unique brand of windswept Yorkshire/Nashville crossover, 'Lowedges' is both classic and timeless. As a musician's musician Richard has received reverential acclaim from the likes of Coldplay, Doves, Nick Cave, Badly Drawn Boy and Radiohead. After working with amongst others Pulp, All Saints, Perry Farrell, Nellee Hooper & Baz Luhrman. XL Recordings. 2003.

Recorded at Yellow Arch, 2 Fly Studios, Sheffield, England.

Personnel: Richard Hawley (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, electric 12-string guitar, Hawaiian steel guitar, Spanish guitar, baritone guitar, lyre, Fender Rhodes piano, omnichord, keyboards, vibraphone, glockenspiel, drums, percussion); Shez Sheridan (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric 12-string guitar, baritone guitar, background vocals); Simon Graham, Elizabeth Ball, John Visanji (violin); Rachel Jones, Naomi Koop (viola); Liz Hanks (cello); Colin Elliot (piano, Mellotron, vibraphone, glockenspiel, upright bass, electric bass, percussion, background vocals); Simon Stafford (keyboards); Andy Cook (drums); Ali Heath Cook, Alice Coulam (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Colin Elliot; Jonathan Quarmby; Kevin Bacon ; Richard Hawley.

Recording information: 2 Fly, Sheffield, England; Yellow Arch Studios, Sheffield, England.

Photographers: Gareth James; Nick Phillips.

Personnel includes: Richard Hawley (vocals, various instruments); Simon Stafford (keyboards); Andy Cook (drums).

Magnet (6-7/03, p.96) - "[H]awley does more than embrace a rudimentary David Lynch/Angelo Badalamenti necromancy here, thanks mostly to a voice that rode in from a cattle drive....Hawley's way with the word 'darlin'' is pure AM croon..."
Mojo (Publisher) (01/01/04, p.59) - Ranked #15 in Mojo's "The Best of 2003" - "[H]awley emotes his tales of sadness and hope over beatific melodies. Absolutely heartrending."