For once, I am ahead of the game! It must be coming back fresh from summer vacation that put me in the mood for doing a review, and what better place to start than with Hank Wedel’s “What Happens in Cork.”
This one is (was) released on August 25th and I am currently relaxing on a Sunday afternoon and having a listen. I am in a mellow mood, although I seriously fell out with my cat, who decided to attack me for some reason and has been banished to the back room!
I am told in the press pack that with songs inspired by good-time artists, including The Lovin’ Spoonful, Grateful Dead, and Richard Thompson, Hank Wedel brings comradery to his music and his fans in both recordings and shows. His new album, the 10-song “What Happens in Cork,” was produced by Declan Sinnott (Christy Moore). The album features nine songs written by Hank and one song written by Declan.
Guest artists on the album are a who’s who of players, especially from the Cork County scene.
“There are a few reasons I decided to give the name, ‘”What Happens in Cork,'” says Hank. “First, I find myself saying ‘it’s what happens in Cork,’ when I explain nightly events in Cork City and County. I’ve heard it said, ‘if you love Cork, it has a way of keeping you,’ and ‘if you marry a Cork woman, you’ll end up living there.’ ‘Cork City is the only city in Ireland that hasn’t forgotten what it is.”
My Review:
“Poe Park” is a great way to start the album. It has this funky guitar beat before a little Edgar A. Poe reference. It’s very much a funky little number and I enjoyed those harmony singers who join in the heartbeat feel. It’s a rhythm- and drum-driven song, a narrative of urban joy.
“Lonely Tree” climbs a mountain! I would say this is a beach song, one of those where we sit down on a late evening with the sun setting and sit around the bongo drum and enjoy the beat of the night. It’s a simple, stripped back track.
“Sleep Out on the Beach” is continuing in the vein of the last track. It is a chilling track. Watching the wheels go by and enjoying the moment. Forget the problems, sleep out on the beach and be careful of the tide coming in! The chorus picks up and the drums again provide a strong rhythm to a good summer track.
“What Happens in Cork, Word of Mouth.” This one has a very long title! It has a folk feel to the track and the narrative, again using some nice harmony background and telling its story. “You will be my mirror,” and this song does mirror the intent of this album well.
“The Time We Share” is quite funny! It’s one of those, wow, you’re not actually dead tracks. I could see this one being sung in a small, intimate venue—preferably an old, historical style venue. The harmony singing is a treat with this one. I really liked the track as a whole and as it goes on, it picks up in style.
“Alright! Dynamite! Spiro!” This one has a more rocky edge. At 2:19, it is a short little number that struts its way through my headphones and is gone just as quickly. It is a quick one-two punch of a track.
“I Know, I Know, You Say.” I enjoyed the acoustic guitar work with this one and the uplifting feel to the instrumental aspect; the humming segment was interesting as well. I would describe this one as pop folk; it has a nice lift to it.
“One Too Many Goodbyes.” This one includes some great guitar and a nice rhythm. The song has a great pick-up halfway through. It would be another that I am sure will sound great in a live performance.
“Ain’t Nothing Wrong With Me.” This one returns to a happy, funky beat with drums and guitar. It also has that great harmony in the background, with singers adding texture to the feel of the track. It’s one to enjoy and sing along to, and there’s nothing wrong with that at all!
(We Are) “The Rakes of Mallow” completes this album with a traditional style of narrative folk telling music. That does not mean the song doesn’t deliver its pick-up beat and it happily takes us to where the devil drives. A finer closer, put on your party dress and join the party while you can.
In summary, this is for lovers of modern folk. It is for anyone wanting to relax and unwind with an album and a good glass of something they enjoy! It is music to entertain, music to tell stories and music to unwind to. It may also be one for me to put my frock on and sail off to join the party.
Standout tracks: “The Rakes of Mallow,” “Poe Park,” and “The Time We Share.”
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You can stream Hank Wedel’s music here
By Stevie Ritson