Michael Hardie Band
Sealy, Texas, United States | Established. Jan 01, 1971 | INDIE
Music
Press
Singer-songwriter Michael Hardie — with the help of his talented piano-playing daughter, Myla Hardie, adding bluesy harmony vocals and the Infidels’ Michael Martin and George Batista – pulled off a casual, relaxed and, at times, haphazard CD release party Thursday at Joe Blue’s at Blue Star Art Complex.
In other words, perfect for a gig celebrating a 10-song record called “Real.”
Indeed, sometimes it was kept very real with Hardie (who played acoustic guitar and piano) calling out chord changes to Martin (who added sweet licks on Fender Stratocaster) and Batista, who played mandolin. He called out songs as it suited him.
The small crowd, which included producer Joe Treviño, loved it. A seasoned artist, Hardie is an unabashed Van Morrison disciple but with an easygoing personality shining through, as well as a distinct Memphis groove. Hints of Delbert McClinton and James Taylor abound.
Hardie’s CD (recorded at Blue Cat Studio in Southtown) is one of the best local albums of 2014. It’s minimally produced and sounds effortless. Local musicians make cameos, including Arturo “Sauce” Gonzalez, Michael Guerra and Al Gomez.
Martin’s hand is everywhere, conjuring former Stones’ guitarist Mick Taylor and John Mayer. At the gig, Hardie made a point of thanking Martin as being crucial to getting the album made.
Afterwards, Hardie revealed that he’s moving to Berlin because “it’s the Paris of today.”
For now, cherish that the man knows his way around love songs like “Real” (which recalls Dennis Wilson’s forgotten gem “Forever”), “Please Don’t Call it Love” (James Taylor doing his best Bob Dylan) and “A Love Like Mine” (a contemplative heartbreaker).
He balances it with the somber “War No More” and the infectious “Cajun Music Saved My Life Tonight.”
Sleeper favorite: “I Wonder What is Waiting for Me,” which delivers lots of gospel-ish soul with echoes of Sam Cooke.
Hardie may be gone but there is solace in this lovely, focused and most impressive effort.
Hsaldana@express-new - Mr Hector Saldana
Belgium "REAL" CD Review
What do you get when you create an entire album around it quite universal theme of "Love"? Michael Hardie ventured out and the result can be heard on his album "Real" now.
Hardie is a songwriter in his songs for all his Texas Roots allows seepage. On his latest album is no different, with varying success, he knows how to translate to various songs. Theme cited/
Actually started for Hardie all when Wolfgang doebling, the editor of the German Rolling Stone Magazine his album "Houston Blues" heard in 1991 The man invited him prompt to Berlin for the BID Music Conference. That first trip to Europe was once the basis for a craetieve period of songwriting that eventually did move to Berlin him. Tiens, where have we heard that before?
Not to mention, of course, that Michael had already opened at age 19, early 70s for giants like Lightnin 'Hopkins and in the 80s to include Buddy Guy and Junior Wells! his songs he recorded with other heroes like Jesse Ed Davis (John Lennon's favorite guitarist). Also dates his collaboration with Milton Hopkins, cousin of Lightnin 'and later eigelijk mentor Hardie from that period.
But now "Real" So when Hardie explores all facets of love and reflects on aspects such as the excellent title track that opens the album. Eight original songs with titles like "Please, Do not Call It Love", "You Hurt Me, Baby", "A Love Like Mine" are as eloquent as he knows how to translate them. Musical Two covers on the album, a very creditable version of Neil Young's "Heart Of Gold" and an equally handsome version of Robert Johnson's "Kind Hearted Woman Blues" complete the record.
Only, now it very applicable "War No More" shows a different side to admire the man. On this issue there is indeed empathetic backing vocals Myla Hardie listen. That the man himself is a fine guitarist is not only this number but also to admire the Zydeco spicy "Cajun Music Saved My Life Tonight". Milton Hopkins is back in action and man's blues guitar work on the tribute to Johnson is impressive.
"Real" has become a very personal record. He himself says about the album: I Created This WorkFfor I Love A Woman Who Lives Across The Ocean On Another Continent. I Made This Record To Remind Her, Myself And Everyone Who Will lLsten That True Love Never Dies. It is anything, it's an enjoyable album, and that's the main thing, right?
Luc Meert
www.rootstime.be - Luc Meert
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
In many ways the story of Texas native, Michael Hardie, began in 1991 when Wolfgang Doebling, editor of the German Rolling Stone Magazine, heard his album "Houston Blues" and invited him to Berlin for the B.I.D. music conference. This first trip to Europe sparked a creative period of songwriting that would redefine him as an artist. Moving to the east part of Berlin in June 1992 (2 years after the Berlin Wall fell) was the beginning of a wanderlust that found him going back and forth from Texas to Berlin for the next 2 decades.
By the time Michael reached Berlin (where he recorded “Berlin Demos” in 1996) he had already spent 20 years defining his craft. He began in Houston in the early ‘70’s at age 19 where he opened for Blues Legend Lightnin’ Hopkins. This led to 10 years in Los Angeles where he opened for Buddy Guy and Junior Wells in 1987 at the Long Beach Blues Festival. He spent most of his time in the studio recording his songs with musicians like Jesse Ed Davis (John Lennon’s favorite guitarist).
Through the years Michael has recorded his songs with greats such as Chuck Rainey, Stephen Bruton and Milton Hopkins (cousin of Lightnin’ and former rhythm guitarist for B.B King). Milton became a lifetime friend and mentor for Michael and they would go on to record two Blues albums of Michael's original music, “Houston Blues”(1991) and “Waiting For Perfection”(2008). Milton also appears on two tracks of the new release “Real”(2014).
In between, Michael has spent extended periods of time in Austin, Nashville, New York City and Porto Alegre, Brazil. Touring in Brazil with his daughter, Myla Hardie and son-in-law, Porto Alegre native Eduardo Guedes, Michael further broadened his world perspective as can be heard in his music and writing. Myla and Eduardo both appear on Michael’s latest release, “Real”.
“Real” is his fifth record of original songs and brings his almost 50 years of writing and recording full circle. This record incorporates elements of his earlier works and takes them several steps further. Michael is living in San Antonio where he spent the last year on the making of “Real”. Most of the songs for this work were written over the previous 2 years in Berlin (Germany), which he considers his second home and where he plans to return to live and tour in the Fall (2014).
Working with Nashville Radio Promoter, Mr. Bill Wence, we have gotten on the Americana Charts.
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