Search - Dirk Hamilton :: More Songs from My Cool Life

An amazing new collection from an under-appreciated genius

B. BRICK | Bay Area | 12/18/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dirk Hamilton, who was, in my opinion, the best singer-songwriter on Elektra's overflowing 70's roster (think Jackson Browne, Zevon, et al) comes through with his finest album in decades on this new cd. A mix of acoustic and band numbers, this is a poetic, intelligent and fun collection of original songs from a mature artist able to laugh at himself, as well as the cosmic pie in the face that this world can be.

His voice is raspy [think John Prine] but he uses it to great artistic effect [think Van Morrison or Tom Waits], and the band provides perfect support for often quirky, semi-autobiographical songs ranging from folk tunes to driving rock [think John Hiatt].

I fell in love with one tune, "Hardball in the Holyland", before I even checked the lyrics and figured out what the song was about ... it just rocked like Keith, Mick and the boys! "Hardball in the Holy Land, it's a swing and a myth on a field of sand" - WOW!

Check out his "older" cds as well from his days at ABC-Paramount and Elektra as well ("Meet Me At The Crux" should knock your socks off), but don't think Dirk's best days are behind him - he's still going down swinging, and he's as great as ever!"