The Memoirs of Hakeford Wart is based in folk, though it definitely has an underground progressive rock edge. It reminds me of some of the private presses coming from England during this time. Flute is one of the primary instruments, and this only underscores the progressive rock angle. Also features some fine fuzz and wah wah electric guitar, and a real feeling of subversion permeates throughout. This doesn't feel like a politrock or civil protest album, but you know he's jabbin' at the man. And after this, Wale got the hell of out Dodge, and headed to South America via boat. And eventually ended up in Seattle. So overall, not a head twirler, but most certainly an excellent artifact from the time and place.Ownership: 2019 Strawberry Rain (3xLP). Cut at 45 RPM. Features the original album plus many bonus cuts. Were it at the regular 33 speed, then it would have been a two LP set. Comes in a single box-like cover, similar to the 1980s releases of double albums. Included is an insert with full liner notes from Wale himself. Overall, an excellent package.
No CD issues exist as of 3/29/25. This is one of those cases where the CD reissue needs to come from the LP reissue rather than the original.
2/14/2014 (first listen); 7/24/21 (review / new entry)
Discovering this review gave me a nice lift. Thank you for that. To be honest, though I was deeply gratified that my early work had been regarded as worth the considerable effort involved to make it available as a reissue, what actually ensued after the release date has not been uplifting. The response back ‘home’, where that music originated, has been, to put it kindly, tepid, in fact, close to zero. To say that it hurt is a euphemism. It was crushing. In addition, not one person sought to contact me to see whether Rachel and I might be interested in either performing, or recording, any of our new material, here in the USA. Yes, I WAS contacted by Pleiades, a delightful lady in Thessaloniki, Greece, and a wonderful blogger, Klemen Breznikar, in Slovenia. I worked with both of them and it was an honor and a pleasure. But, besides that, the silence has been deafening. Nevertheless, we continue to work on new material. That's the songwriter's life for you - always questing, but never quite succeeding.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment! I know precisely what you mean about the lack of enthusiasm. I fear to say that the honors and rewards will all come long after we've left this mortal coil. Klemen is a friends of ours as well - super guy!
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