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Richard Hawley / Coles Corner

Richard Hawley: Coles Corner

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by Rob Webb
Still one of Sheffield's better-kept secrets, Richard Hawley is a songwriter delightfully out of step with the modern way. Where his fellow South Yorkshire brethren document life on the streets of the Steel City down to the very last ASBO, Hawley takes a more romantic world view. With sweeping strings and wistful lyrics, he makes the idea of a stroll around town sound infinitely more appealing than the reality.

“I'm going downtown where there's music / I'm going where voices fill the air / Maybe there's someone waiting for me, with a smile and a flower in their hair,” he croons optimistically, before eventually coming to his senses and concluding that “Loneliness hangs in the air / With no one there real waiting for me / no smile, no flower, nowhere.”

Evoking a real sense of pathos, Coles Corner could easily soundtrack a classic piece of 1950's cinema. It's refreshing to know that in an increasingly disposable musical culture, timeless songwriting like this can still thrive.

  • Richard Hawley 9 / 10

YES!

This is a wonderful single from a wonderful album.

Proves there's loads more to Sheffield than garage rock bands (even if some of them are ace as well).

There was a big interview with him in Sandman Sheffield recently. Seems like a very interesting chappie


Total Agreement

Yes! This album is beautiful, it's perfect listening to everyone, easy to get into. The arrangements remind me (kind of) of Sinatra. Gem gem gem.


Awesome album and great single

I've posted about Hawley before but he really is special. A real crooner and a surprisingly good alternative to the Arctic Monkeys of the world.


Hmm

I still haven't got into his latest album but all the people currently eulogising about it should definitely check out former efforts 'Lowedges', 'Late Night Final' and his self titled debut if they haven't already.





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