Tim Hardin - Hang on to a Dream: The Verve Recordings

An introspective, obsessive artist, Tim Hardin wrote songs that many better-known singers turned to--Marianne Faithfull, Astrud Gilberto, Rod Stewart, Johnny Cash; likewise his "If I Were a Carpenter" has become a virtual standard--but Hardin's own versions are uniquely moving and must be heard. His confessions are soaked in a hieratic, trembling moan, a soft piano or guitar, a keen way of seeing inside every line, and jazz- and blues-influenced phrasing (Hardin sounds like a more urgent, haunted Mose Alison). The Verve collection captures nearly all the great songs, and the visceral pain and illuminating wisdom that was Hardin's genius. --Roy Francis Kasten Amazon.com

Songs as bare & pure as polished silver

It's sad & sobering to realize that the majority of Tim Hardin's superb songs were written in such a short time, in approximately 18 months. And it's sadder still that he was so neglected by the general public for so long. True, other artists had hit after hit with covers of his songs, such as the tender & quietly passionate "Misty Roses" -- they lend themselves to reinterpretation in a variety of styles -- but the originals are in a poignant, melancholy league of their own.

The newcomer will be surprised to find that they're so short, many under 2 minutes. But there's no need for padding here -- the combination of Hardin's skill as a songwriter & his yearning, naked voice says all that has to be said. In this case, brevity is the soul of honesty & beauty. And it only takes a minute or so to make a lasting, memorable impression on the listener. Even a title alone, such as "You Upset The Grace Of Living When You Lie," says more than most songs today. And his lyrics are simple, clear, precise -- there's not a wasted word, not a bit of unnecessary ornamentation.

Hardin is usually pigeonholed as a folk artist, and certainly that label can be applied to his work. But there's a jazzy, bluesy heart to it, one that transcends any specific time & always remains current. Anyone who has lived more than a superficial life will recognize the spirit that imbues these songs. He sings of experience, and his later reflections on it -- pain, love, loss, hunger for meaning -- it's all there for the taking. There's a certain recognition of the disappointments of the world, as well as the fleeting but precious joys, that only a life of rough weather can produce.

A treasure in every way, this collection is most highly recommended!


July 11, 2008

Excellent

Haven't heard this sound track for years. I am very happy to once again have it as part of my collection. November 9, 2006

Very disappointing

I bought this album thinking it was a greatest hits compilation of Tim's Verve years. Instead, this seems to be a compilation of demo tapes. The audio quality isn't bad, but most of the cuts are a minute and a half long or so. Many have either very spare instrumention or odd ones, like string sections. Tim sounds fine, but if you're looking for the familiar versions of stuff on Tim Hardin 1-3 or so, forget it. This aint it. April 30, 2005

an essential collection

this 2 cd set includes hardin's work for verve records, a sixties label that also featured some of the " bosstown sound" acts, as well as luminaries like the velvet underground and the blues project, among others. the second cd consists of outtakes and hardin's not so great tim hardin 4 album. it's alright, but nothing special
the first cd contains numerous classics. the man's work has been covered by bobby darin, the four tops, scott walker, robert plant, rod stewart, the small faces, the psychedelic band gandalf, zz top's frank beard and dusty hill's early outfit american blues, and numerous others. this shows how highly regarded hardin's work was by his contemporaries, bob dylan apparently claimed that hardin was either THE, or one of the, country's greatest living songwriters.
hardin's work is a model of simplicity, and that's why so much of his material is so great. his plaintive, yet powerful vocals are another testament to the importance of the material. this first cd is chock full of classic tunes. many of the best tunes can also be found on the various best of compilations out there, this 2 cd set is for big hardin fans. people with a mild interest in the singer would probably be better off buying a cheaper and briefer disc to start out with.
hardin isn't really a folk singer, his stuff is more jazzy and bluesy. his phrasing is excellent. there are too many classics to list,suffice it to say that the first two hardin records, tim hardin 1 and 2, are simply essential. the song i'm into lately are two that don't show up too often on best of hardin releases: never too far and part of the wind, from his debut. his work will be appreciated by those who like brevity ( most cuts are under three minutes, and many under two!), vocal clarity, and melancholy ballads with a jazzy flavor. little of this is topical, hardin was apparently rather apolitical. hardin is yet another musician who is more appreciated today than at the time, it's too bad he never had any real prolonged success in terms of reaching a large audience. sadly, hardin died in 1980, leaving us these two beautiful early recordings to remember him by. March 20, 2002

IT'LL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN

and it it just might not, worth the admission fee for two versions of the above title which remains a haunting beautiful ballad. Tim Hardin has touched everyone and his influence runs deeper than most, listening to disc one confirms this with Red Balloon, Black Sheep Boy,Reason To Believe, all popular covers these days by luminaries such as Paul Weller and Dr Robert. Buy it as an lntroduction to the man, like I did, or as a completist, either way just buy it!! November 17, 2000

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