Sam Hare - Down to the Sea

  by Lisa Torem

published: 20 / 2 / 2011

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Post his band Hucklebuck, British songwriter Sam Hare’s debut solo album, 'Down to the Sea' is soul deep. Mastered by Giles Martin (son of famed Beatles producer George Martin), the end result is smooth and seamless. Hare has been seen at numerous international festivals, such as Bestival and The Big Chill and his comfort in live performance also shines through on the recording. Although it is easy to compare him to southern legends like Greg Allman, he is in a unique class. His entourage consists of Ed Green on drums, Fergus Hare on bass, and Joe Glossop on Hammond organ. ‘Stealing from the Queen’ is an excellent first track. Hare’s voice is swarthy, cocky and forceful when he asks, “Why’d you want to steal from the queen?” His character arc further reveals that he “busted out of jail” and he complains about “cheats and liars.” But, when you think you know him inside and out, he shifts emotional gears. What follows is the tranquil ‘Are You Sorry Too?’ a ballad tinged with swooning electric guitar. ‘Fly With Me Again’ is full of longing. “Come fly with me, just one more time/That’s all I ask of you…” ‘I’ll Give You Everything’ is royally embellished with screaming organ. ‘You Just Bring me Water’ is cynical, but so real. “I travelled far to see you now past my southern border/I asked you for a cup of coffee, but you just bring me water.” He sets the stage by explaining: “I’m driving through a world of broken glass.” It is an intriguing way of describing a total runaround. I was perplexed by the instrumental version of ‘Mr. Bojangles’, however. I was looking forward to hearing Hare’s voice on this cover, but then found that it was an instrumental. That said, the organ solo introduction works well, though I still wish Hare’s brazen voice could have sung this one. ‘Homegrown Man’ has an infectious groove and is supported by lyrics such as “make a lot of money that I stash under my bed.” ‘Blue-Eyed Boy’ is another amazing collection of images; “I remember a day that used to be grey, but somehow turned it around.” In ‘Moving Through Georgia’ Hare conjures up his travels, city after city in a Johnny Cash-like style. ‘One More Chance’ veers into a more Ray Charles groove. You can hear Hare’s voice swing. “Do you take cream, these days?/I don’t recall,” he croons, against a honky tonk piano. ‘The Bridge’ (Send Word From Me) gives way to exciting slide and more conventional guitar lines, which closely echo Hare’s sanguine phrases. He takes us on a bird’s eye view of his everyday existence: “I see the boat loading its cargo.” 'Down to the Sea' is a voyage not to be missed.

Track Listing:-

1 Stealing From the Queen
2 Are You Sorry Too
3 Her Time Of Day
4 Fly With Me Again
5 I'lI Give You Everything
6 You Just Bring Me Water
7 Mr Bojangles
8 Homegrown Man
9 Blue-Eyed Boy
10 Moving Through Georgia
11 One More Chance
12 The Bridge

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