Quick plays: TIM HOCKENBERRY, JOSH HARTY

TIM HOCKENBERRY

TIM HOCKENBERRY Tim Hockenberry [Release date 04.03.16]

You know with an ex-America’s Got Talent performer (Hockenberry made the semi-finals in 2012) you’re going to get a decent vocal performance.

And his debut release doesn’t disappoint in that respect – his whiskey soaked vocals blending elements of Ray Charles, Joe Cocker and Tom Waits that are perfectly suited to his easy listening brand of Americana.

Having made a career over 20 years performing sparse and intimate covers, it was only post ‘Talent’ that Hockenberry moved to performing his own songs – following a chance meeting with vocalist and producer Natasha Miller who’s helped reshape his musical direction.

And it’s one familiar to the mainstream Americana revival – the sort of material you would expect from Don Henley and co, Stephen Bishop and Marc Cohn – washing over you like warm molasses, with the musical accompaniment – much of it provided by Miller’s brother Justin – mandolins, acoustics, banjos, wurly piano, organ, pedal steel and 12 strings providing the perfect back drop to Hockenberry’s vocals.

It’s a release aimed squarely at the American mainstream market, Huckenberry’s image on the sleeve – relaxed in a comfy chair, with open necked shirt, and drinks trolley in the background is the epitome of a corporate exec relaxing away from the ‘boardroom’. Hardly rock ‘n’ roll, but almost certainly indicative of his likely market. ***

Review by Pete Whalley

JOSH HARTY Holding On [Release date 08.04.16]

I wasn’t overly enthused by Josh Harty’s last outing – Nowhere (2011) – a short, seven track Americana debut album from the North Dakota songsmith.

A sparse affair, focused on Harty’s Wild West ghost town vocals underpinned by some subtle finger picking and plaintive support, I concluded it was unlikely to raise him above the ranks of ‘also-rans’.

Well, Josh is back, with a new album, a band, and over here for a March / April tour. And whether it’s the fact the songs have been written, demoed and broken in on the road, or the more fulsome sound provided by the addition of Scott Beardsley (drums), Chris Boeger (bass), Blake Thomas (guitars, banjo, Hammond), Chris Wagoner (mandolin, lap steel, dobro, violin and electric guitar), Rusty Lee (piano, Hammond, and Wurlitzer) and a handful of others contributing percussion and backing vocals and piano, Holding On is a different proposition.

With a broad country ‘twang’ to his vocals and set that nicely straddles the rock / country / blues divide, Holding On – is both atmospheric and gripping, and marks him out as a contender in the overcrowded Americana market. ***1/2

Review by Pete Whalley

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)