- Tony Hazzard - The Hallicombe Sessions

Review by Jason Barnard

Tony Hazzard helped to form the soundtrack of the 60s, penning hits for Manfred Mann ‘Fox On The Run’ and ‘Ha Ha Said The Clown’, The Hollies ‘Listen To Me’, The Tremeloes ‘Hello World’, Lulu ‘Me The Peaceful Heart’ and Herman’s Hermits ‘You Won’t Be Leaving’.

His 1969 album ‘Tony Hazzard sings Tony Hazzard’ with these tracks and others gifted to other artists such as Cliff Richard and The Yardbirds has pop hooks wrapped around every crochet. The 70s saw a series of maturer releases no less remarkable (just check out Loudwater House), work as session man for Elton John and reuniting with Richard Barnes for some stunning ballads (‘Go North’ gives me chills to this day).

After taking a break from the industry in the 80s and 90s, Tony released another superb album ‘Songs From The Lynher’, listen to ‘Dream of You Tonight’ – case proved. I spoke to Tony back then, he was in a great spirits although it was clear that the process to record and release a record was not an easy one.

After meeting US singer/songwriter Matt Harding a few years back, Tony was inspired to record much more simply ‘with all the cracks’ leading to ‘The Hallicombe Sessions’. This album, a mix of new tracks and a few rarer cuts from Tony’s songbook is another demonstration of his songwriting prowess.

‘The Spice Trader’ opens. It’s a bit of a departure from Tony’s main body of work, a moody historical epic that sounds like a folk standard. ‘ ‘Loving On The Run’ is typical Hazzard, a simple melody tied to emotional narrative, impossible to write unless you’re an expert at your craft.

Other tracks on ‘The Hallicombe Sessions’ look back on his life, from the reflective ‘Journey’s End’ and ‘Old Wave’, beautiful ‘Angela Finkleman’s Eyes’ to the dogged sauciness of ‘Seventy, Not Out’ .

Originally string laden in the 70s, penultimate number ‘I’ll Be Still In Love With You’ is another Hazzard classic, this time stripped back to its acoustic roots.

A touching way to close is ‘Another Day For Me’, Tony’s lyrics reflecting on his life and mortality, a song and indeed, album, that truly stirs the emotions.