Description
While Hardy’s name never achieved the level of fame of Vega, Gorka, or the many he recorded for Fast Folk (i.e. Tracy Chapman, Lyle Lovett, David Wilcox, Elliott Murphy or The Roches), he continually built on his substantial catalog of acute, well-crafted songs and was awarded the Kate Wolf Memorial Award by the World Folk Music Association in 1996. The New York Times once wrote “Mr. Hardy is no imitator. The words may sometimes get too clever for their own good, but they are clever. He avoids a too obvious reliance on Dylan with his recurrent use of Scottish & Irish folk music materials, and the musicality of his singing and playing. His voice especially – an extremely husky, even whispery baritone subject to a good deal of subtle control – stands out attractively”. Jack died in 2011 and throughout his 40 years career he remained independent, releasing 15 albums, sometime licensing ’em to small European labels, as he was more appreciated and revered in this continent than in the US. As a result, he kept touring Europe for almost 30 years, often with his brother Jeff who tragically perished in the 9/11 Twin Towers attack. He was a lyrical writer; his songs were political, although usually subtly so. His songs were romantic, although in a unique literate way. They are all served with an abundant dose of cynicism, sagacity and wisdom. This 1993 live recording presents Jack Hardy when touring Italy and it is taken from a dedicated soundboard feed for maximum fidelity. It is expected the album will satisfy the most discerning buyer
