Famous Covers And The Original

 

Tim Hardin was an American folk and blues songwriter and mostly known as the composer of hits other people had. His first albums from 1966 to 1969 contained so many classic songs like no other songwriter released in these days. His records were critically acclaimed and he reached his climate when he played at Woodstock festival. Like many others of this era he turned into drugs, got rid of them and fall back again and died in December 1980 on an overdose Heroin in Los Angeles. His legacy were a lot of songs about love and hope with intensive lyrics and melodies other would kill for. I played his record The Homecoming Concert the other days again and thought I should give him a place at this little place in the internet.

You can listen to his last album in full length and see that he was in a good condition for singing his songs live for the last time.

Consciousology

 

There are some musicians who have to do a lot to disappoint me with a new single or album. My affection is too great not to forgive weaker songs. One of them is Dot Allison, whose voice always captures me. A few days ago she announced the release of her next solo album for the end of July and released the lead single Consciousology. It is once again a dreamy piece of pop music, enhanced by the guitar of her label mate Andy Bell. It looks like Dot is moving in the direction of established songwriters like Tim Hardin and Mercury Rev with her new songs. This is certainly not the wrong road to take.

Waves Of Galveston

Sam Be& Wine is an artist that made a lot of great records during the last 15 years. I don't have many of his recordings but I always come back to him and his output. For me he is one of those artists that can't make big mistakes when he records songs. Almost based in the tradition of epic singer-songwriters like Tim Hardin or Nick Dragke he is able to write such intimate songs like they did. Last year he released his latest album and now he's coming back with some outtakes from the session of this recording. And I have to say that these songs are more than high above any other releases in this genre. Mostly recorded in a simple, acoustic way with his soft timbre voice these songs in it simple and intimate way touches me. Timeless music to finish the day.

Gone But Not Forgotten

... was a small series about musicians that passed away too early I started a few years ago. I stopped it because other things and music were on my focus these days. Cleaning up my room a few days ago I found a few CD's in a top-drawer I almost forgot that I had them. It was Tim Hardin's last record Homecoming Concert, recorded live in his hometown Eugene. It shows a broken man singing his songs for the last time in front of an audience. A few weeks later in 1980 he died on an overdose of heroin. He was addicted to drugs since his youngest days in fact of an high-school accident when his cerivical broke and he took opiates for pain relieve. He showed his big talent in composing on his first two records that contained classic records like Reason To Believe, If I were a carpenter and Red Balloon. Listening to this songs again you can hear a man knowing that his life is almost gone but his legacy was his songs that still shines like diamonds.

Tim Hardin - Misty Roses
Tim Hardin - Reason To Believe
Tim Hardin - If I Were A Carpenter
Tim Hardin - Red Balloon
Tim Hardin - Amen