Richard Hawley’s Lady’s Bridge was one of my favorite albums back in 2007. Refreshing love poetry the singer delivered on this record found a place in my heart and it is still paying rent there. Each verse, each tone and each song offer vulnerability and grace, which makes Lady’s Bridge an evergreen.
During the 90s, Richard was a member of brit pop band The Longpigs, and the membership almost cost him his head and common sense. At the pinnacle of the band’s glory, there were too many drugs involved, so Richard made a smart decision to get away. Jarvis Cocker saved him by calling him on tour with his band Pulp. Hawley admitted that his gratitude can not be expressed in words, mostly because the man helped him avoid addiction.
At the beginning of this millennium, Hawley started his solo career and it took him a while until he created his first masterpiece. Lady’s Bridge came as his fifth album, and it was a remarkable celebration of life. With every album, Hawley shows how happy he is to be alive. This optimism radiates from every melody and lyric.
I remember many reviews were comparing him to Nick Cave, which I strongly oppose. Although both of them were close to death, Cave still nurtures depression, while Hawley shows appreciation. I would rather draw a parallel with Roy Orbison.
Lady’s Bridge had (and still does) eleven songs, mostly mid-tempo numbers and ballades. Ornamented with beautiful orchestrations, standard guitar, drums and piano, melodies manage to permeate until the end of the record. The undeniable infatuation with the melody is Hawley’s forte.
In the opening Valentine, Hawley introduces us to his style in which each detail is carefully thought out. The Sun Refused to Shine closes the album in the same, confident and optimistic manner. Romantic soul is awake from the first to the last song. You don’t believe me? Just listen to Roll River Roll and Tonight The Streets Are Ours and everything will be clear to you. This might even become one of your favorite albums.
Tonight The Streets Are Ours and Serious are the only moderately up-tempo tracks in rockabilly vibe. Although the album is slow, it is far from monotonous.
Lady’s Bridge was the evidence of Hawley’s courage and tenacity to escape not only drugs, but also midlife crisis. Hawley found himself and Hawley found me.
