After listening to Colin Hay’s tenth solo album Gathering Mercury, it’s hard to decide which is a prettier instrument…his voice or his guitar? Colin’s voice is warm and smoky but yet worn in just right to give the notes traction. Touches of his subtle vibrato at the end of his phrasing are not only reminiscent of past days but a characteristic of his vocal DNA that is uniquely his.
The album begins with “Send Somebody” which has a melody that will pull you close on the first acoustic notes from his guitar. The chorus then expands to allow Colin’s voice to soar to higher notes that you will want to hear him sing over and over again. A good songwriter can tell a story that travels from their music through the stereo to the listener and guides one to reflect on their own memories and visions. On “Family Man” and “Dear Father” this songwriter makes that connection for us. The title track “Gathering Mercury” and “Half a Million Angels” are other melodies that will stick with you all day until you’re back home and able to plug in your headphones for a closer listen.
Our local record store in Knoxville, Disc Exchange, was fortunate enough to make available the Limited Edition version of the album Gathering Mercury as well as producing Colin Hay in person to perform in the store. This Limited Edition is the one I suggest you get your hands on because there are stripped down bonus versions that brings the house lights down and slowly illuminates a solo spotlight on his voice and guitar work. Colin Hay is a songwriter and we are the audience. Be thankful Colin has answered my original question. Both his voice and guitar share equal billing, so there is no need for us to decide which the prettier instrument is.
Showbiz Kids Ranking: 9.0 out of possible 10
in fact it is his 11th album. but great review!
ReplyDelete