Search - Tim Hardin :: Simple Songs of Freedom

Misery bears Beauty

Garth Henkins | Baton Rouge, LA | 04/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tim Hardin was an enigma. How could such a convoluted, unhappy life could bear such utterly beautiful, haunting songs? This album was a very pleasant surprise..the first new material released in such a long time. Songs like 'Shiloh Town' show the effect of his emotive power has not diminished in time, despite his early departure from this world. (1980) Old standards are great to hear again too, great production values, care was obviously taken in the remastering. Buy and enjoy, again and again."

A Minstrel's Blues

Daniel Dennis | Brisbane, Queensland Australia | 01/12/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Perhaps the finest collection yet of a criminally neglected artist's legacy of sensitive, confessional folk. Tim Hardin was a superb writer of pop miniatures, quiet songs about his life and loves that touchingly reflect our own hopes and struggles. Musicianship, taste and integrity are by-words for Hardin. Everyone knows 'If I Were a Carpenter' (here given the definitive reading). But listeners will find equal parts pleasure and revelation in 'If I Knew', one of the most beautiful recordings I have ever heard. Other tracks glitter and gleam - 'Misty Roses', 'Reason to Believe', and 'Hang On To A Dream'.Hardin, who called himself a jazz singer, was so much more than just another folkie. His special gift for rendering with truth and sensitivity the pain and beauty of life is here captured in a special and tasteful set. Perfect Hardin, in fact."

REASON TO BELIEVE...

Lawyeraau | Balmoral Castle | 01/02/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a somewhat uneven CD which runs the gamut from excellent to less than expected. Die hard Tim Hardin fans, however, will certainly enjoy it overall. If you are a die hard Tim Hardin Fan, then you will agree that this is a four star CD. If you are not, deduct one star from my rating."Simple Songs of Freedom" was Tim Hardin's only top 100 hit and, oddly enough, was written by Bobby Darin who never recorded it. It is, however, a wonderful anti-war song. Yet, Bobby recorded Tim Hardin's "If I were a Carpenter" and turned it into a top 10 hit, something Tim Hardin was never able to replicate. Go figure. "Shiloh Town", written by Tim, is the best cut on this CD. A beautiful, wistful song, it represents Tim Hardin, who was a most expressive singer and minstrel at heart, at his best. Though he often classified himself as a jazz singer, his music and singing was an often provocative combination of jazz, blues, and folk all rolled into one. It was his ability to amalgamate these genres of music that made him unique.If you want a truly all time great CD, get "Reason To Believe: The Best of Tim Hardin" which is a five star CD whether you are or are not a Tim Hardin fan. There is not one bad cut on that CD, and it best tells you what Tim Hardin was all about. That is the CD of which reviewer Daniel Dennis writes in his January 11, 2000 review, and it is to the songs on that CD to which he is referring. His review actually pertains to that CD and not to the "Simple Songs of Freedom" CD. I hope that this clears up any confusion."