Richard Hawley - Now Then: The Very Best of Richard Hawley

by Nicky Crewe

published: 8 / 3 / 2024

Richard Hawley - Now Then: The Very Best of Richard Hawley

Label: BMG
Format: CD

intro

Double CD collection from Richard Hawley spans over twenty years of the now legendary Sheffield musician and songwriter’s career, and proves a real treat for fans as well as a wonderful introduction for those only just discovering his music

Curated by Richard Hawley and long term collaborator Colin Elliot, this album is a 36 track celebration of Hawley’s amazing career. It’s the first time he has released a ‘best of’ compilation and listening to the tracks it is long overdue. While this collection of songs looks back over his career, this isn’t about nostalgia. His songs are bringing him fresh recognition as his successes continue to grow. Rooted in Sheffield, Hawley’s career includes collaborations with other important Sheffield musicians. His early involvement with Treebound Story and Longpigs is still talked about. Working as a session musician as well as a performer and songwriter in his own right has led him to work with artists as varied as Lisa Marie Presley, Paul Weller, Elbow and of course Sheffield’s own Pulp, Jarvis Cocker and Arctic Monkeys. Recent successes include awards for the musical ‘Standing At The Sky’s Edge’. Described as a love letter to Sheffield, it is about to have its West End debut in February 2024 at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, having already won accolades and awards at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre and at the National Theatre. The power of the songs to tell the story and the performances of the cast will surely bring Richard Hawley’s work to a much wider audience. This retrospective collection is a very timely release. Sheffield is my adopted home. There’s a huge sense of pride in the city’s musicians and music that has been inspired by life here. Richard Hawley is much loved and appreciated. There’s an emotional and geographical link to the city in the lyrics and titles of his songs and albums. Lowedges, Coles Corner, Lady’s Bridge, Pitsmoor, Kelham Island and Hollow Meadows – each of these titles conjure up images and memories if you are familiar with Sheffield. Richard Hawley has received nominations and awards from the world of music beyond Sheffield too. His songs have been used for films and TV adverts as well as the recent ‘Sky’s Edge’ musical. His lyrics are cinematic and often tell a story, which is why they worked so beautifully for the musical. This album includes his original versions of the songs chosen to tell the Sky’s Edge/Park Hill story and it is wonderful to hear them again. There are many other songs that bring back memories and showcase his remarkable talent. He’s part of the city and the city is part of him and he’s still here. He is part of the city’s reputation for fantastic music, past, present and now future. He is quoted as saying: “I know what it’s like to live here in Sheffield and therefore it seems perfectly logical to write about it.” . As well as being a versatile songwriter he is a brilliant performer. His dramatic arrangements and powerful voice are immediately identifiable. His appeal ranges wide. My mum, having also lived and worked in Sheffield, borrowed my copy of ‘Coles Corner’ and fell in love with his voice when she was 80, so I took her to see him in concert for her birthday that year. Only one song of the 36 isn’t written by Hawley. That’s Bob Dylan’s ‘Ballad of a Thin Man’, a powerfully intense interpretation. Hawley is quoted as saying “I’ve only ever wanted to make music that’s soulful, that has some depth and heart in it.” Here it is! Enjoy!

Track Listing:-

1 Open Up Your Door
2 Midnight Train
3 Tonight The Streets Are Ours
4 Coles Corner
5 Ballad Of A Thin Man (Edit)
6 Baby, You're My Light
7 She Brings The Sunlight
8 Not The Only Road
9 Which Way
10 My Little Treasures
11 Naked In Pitsmoor
12 Standing At The Sky's Edge
13 Long Black Train
14 Heart Of Oak
15 You Don't Miss Your Water (Till Your River Runs Dry)
16 The Ocean
17 Don't Stare At The Sun
18 I Still Want You
19 Off My Mind
20 For Your Lover Give Some Time
21 Hotel Room
22 I'm On Nights
23 Seek It
24 Serious
25 Precious Sight
26 Remorse Code
27 Alone
28 Born Under A Bad Sign (Single Version)
29 Our Darkness
30 Run For Me
31 Kelham Island
32 There's A Storm A'Comin'

Band Links:-

http://www.richardhawley.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/RichardHawleyOfficial
https://twitter.com/RichardHawley
http://richardhawley.tumblr.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/RichardHawleyMusic
https://plus.google.com/+RichardHawleyMusic

Label Links:-

https://www.bmg.com/uk/
https://www.facebook.com/BMGRM
https://twitter.com/BMG
https://www.facebook.com/bmgchrysalisuk
https://twitter.com/bmguk

Play in YouTube:-

Have a Listen:-

interviews

Interview (2012)

Much acclaimed singer-songwriter Richard Hawley speaks to Denzil Watson about his recent ‘Standing at the Sky's Edge’, and the influence of his native Sheffield on his music

profiles

Standing At The Sky’s Edge (2019)

Richard Hawley - Standing At The Sky’s Edge

Nicky Crewe finds Richard Hawley and Chris Bush create a love song to Sheffield with a universal message that will make you reconsider what a stage musical can be.