published: 21 /
9 /
2019
Label:
WIAIWYA
Format: CD
New collection of songs by Darren Hayman celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Moon landings by sharing a very personal perspective of the twelve men who have walked on the moon
Review
Darren Hayman is a singer and songwriter who interprets recent world history through his music. On one level it seems an unusual approach, but it’s what folk music and ballads have done for decades. Telling stories and sharing histories is an important aspect of the role of musician in society. Hayman’s 'Thankful Villages' series highlights the roll call of communities where the men came back from the First World War. It’s a celebration and a fresh perspective. This new collection of songs both celebrates the 50th anniversary of the moon landings and gives a fresh perspective on the lives of the twelve astronauts who have walked on the moon.
Like many of us Darren Hayman has long been fascinated by space travel. His record label is even named after Belka, one of the dogs who was sent into earth orbit and returned alive. (For information, the other was called Strelka and they were street dogs. Other creatures including mice and insects joined them).
Hayman imagines himself as each astronaut in turn, with their preoccupations on life after space. Some of these preoccupations are large and some are small, from Buzz Aldrin’s demons and impending marriage breakdown to Gene Cernan’s list of every object he could remember being left on the moon.
It’s a quirky and delightful collection of songs and stories. Space travel and moon landings have been the inspiration for songs from other artists including the Byrds, Bowie and the Police. Apparently it’s been over ten years in the recording and making, a side project as Hayman worked on other topics. There is a a hint of Syd Barrett in the vocals and a few spacey sounds in the production.
These twelve astronauts never saw life on Earth in the same way again. They took that risk, physically and emotionally, for all of us. This album is a charming reminder of their courage and achievement.
Track Listing:-
1
Spaceman No More (Neil Armstrong)
2
Low Orbit (Buzz Aldrin)
3
Timber Cove (Pete Conrad)
4
Alan Bean (Alan Bean)
5
Don't Clip My Wings (Alan Sheppard)
6
Hard Disk in the Sky (Edgar Mitchell)
7
Major Sunday (David Scott)
8
Genesis Rock (James Irwin)
9
100% Oxygen (John Young)
10
Duke's Dream (Charles Duke)
11
It's Geology (Harrison Schmitt)
12
Things We Left Behind (Gene Cernan)
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Darren-
http://www.hefnet.com/
Label Links:-
http://wiaiwya.com/
https://www.facebook.com/wiaiwya
https://wiaiwya.bandcamp.com/
https://twitter.com/wiaiwya