Description
How often does one come across a composer with the ability to transcend several musical genres and yet stay firmly focused within his own perceived sound? Almost never! Pete Hawkes manages to turn many genres into his own, making the listener feel they are witnessing something innovative and fresh, but still familiar to the feels and traditions of the genre.
This latest double album, highlighting some of Pete’s instrumental works over the last ten years is absolutely amazing!
Pete Hawkes – Double Diversity: Original Ragtime, Delta blues, Classical Guitar, Jazz, Celtic, Cello Music and More ..,.
CD review by Tony Smith – TN178
TN436-53 – $50
This two CD set of 26 tracks covers Pete Hawkes’ Selected Instrumental Works 1996-2005.
As such it can be considered a retrospective.
Hawkes plays acoustic, classical and slide guitars and is supported by Richard Steele (electric guitar), Jan Preston (piano), Ian Blake (piano, bass, clarinets, sax, tin whistle), Irene DeZilva, Pip Thompson, Dave Swarbrick, Sandy Gibbney, Justin Price Rees & Sarah Bloustein (all on fiddle), James Clark (double bass), Paul Tender, Zoe Olly, Charlotte Winsdale & William Martina (all on cello), Justin Smith (harmonica), John Jones (bodhran), Elisha Maiyah (flugelhorn, trumpet), Paul Haymes (percussion), Phil Binnotto (congas, shakers, cow bell, maracas) and Michael McClintock (fiddle, bodhran, mandolin, guitar).
It is worth noting the huge range of instruments Hawkes has incorporated into his compositions and arrangements, because it shows both his versatility and virtuosity.
On the first CD are: ‘A Whispered Scream’, ‘The Boisterous Border Collie’, ‘One Lazy Day in Downtown Madrid’, ‘Czardas’ (Victor Monti), ‘Prelude No.1’ (H.Villa-Lobos), ‘Quiet Desperation’, ‘No Remedy for a Sad Wednesday’ (arranged Irene DeZilva), ‘The Moscow Gypsy’, ‘A Tender Farewell’, ‘Ada’s Favourite’, ‘Play After a Small Whisky Just Before Bedtime’, Yesterday’ (P.McCartney) and ‘Prelude to End’.
CD 2 has: ‘Conversation for a French Fiddle’, ‘The Land Berek’s Last Charge’, ‘The Celtic Hornblower’, ‘Recuerdos de la Alhambra’ (F. Tarrega), ‘Riddle or Resolution’, ‘The Belly Laugh Rag (version 2)’, ‘No Whisky for Paddy/ Paddy’s Recovery’, ‘Medley: The Irish Ladies Dream/ The Leprechaun’s Dance/ Reuben’s Fancy’, ‘Shebeg Shemore’ (O’Carolan), ‘Melody for the Memory of Cass’, ‘Jemima’s Lullaby’ (arranged Dave Swarbrick), ‘Medley: Charlie’s March/ Dave’s Farewell’ and ‘Prelude to End’.
The tango feel in Czardas is augmented by some busy fiddling and makes it a very attractive track.
The pairing with the Villa-Lobos ‘Prelude’ works nicely as this one lets the guitar shine through.
‘The Moscow Gypsy’ is perhaps the most appealing original on this side, especially paired with ‘A Tender Farewell’.
Fans of slide guitar will enjoy the interesting take on ‘Yesterday’.
On Side 2, the Tarrega is perhaps the track which allows Hawke’s guitar playing to shine.
Some fine harmonica playing highlights ‘Belly Laugh Rag’.
Of the three ‘Irish’ tracks, ‘The Irish Ladies’ Dream’ stands out and Hawkes’ guitar on the O’Carolan is evocative of the blind harper’s work.
In ‘Melody for the Memory of Cass’, you can almost smell the heather, and the snap is there in ‘Jemima’s Lullaby’ as well.
These two are for me the pick on this side.
Although Pete Hawkes has played with some very well known musicians, he has maintained his own style.
Born in Lake Macquarie, Hawkes, according to Wikipedia, learned to play on an old guitar named the ‘Paddle’, since his father used it to row home after a night at the pub.
Perhaps having to deal with an eccentric instrument forced him to develop a sensitive ear and to adapt to differences in guitar necks.
This would have been great experience for a future luthier.
The tracks on these CDs show Hawkes’ range, playing in a variety of styles and writing his own compositions.
The sleeve notes are ample and the portrait of Pete Hawkes by Jill Swarbrick Banks captures the complexity of this dedicated guitar player.
Ed. Pete Hawkes has seven albums available for sale from the Trad&Now website.
Tracks from all of the albums may be heard from time to time on Trad&NowLive!
