Frank O’Hagan – A Long Way From Home (Hapax Music).

I have to confess that, although both Frank and I are both from Scotland we do not know each other. I’m sure that will come as a surprise to those of you who think that everyone in Scotland knows everyone else. Seriously, I’ve not heard of Frank O’Hagan but this 13 track, self written album is a good introduction. The eponymous title track is a gentle way to start with heartfelt lyrics and Celtic overtones – partly reminds me of Downtown Train by Tom Waits. Leave This City Behind is a blues base rocker with a good guitar base and great organ fills. The vocal slightly lets it down due to lack of power. When The Boat Comes In (for those old enough, no it’s not that one) is slow, Celtic influenced folk that builds up very well after a bit of an uninspired start. Good saxophone break in this one. I know that I said that the album was completely self written but I’m sure that I’ve heard Judgement Hall somewhere before. Maybe I’ve just been listening to too much recently. Anyway, this is a good paced sing-along rocker. Free Yourself continues Frank’s Celtic style. This time it’s piano based and is crying out for a filmmaker to use it. It’s probably the best crafted song on offer and Frank’s voice suits it perfectly. Montgomery Alabama is classic R&B with a good racial message but I’m afraid that the voice isn’t up to it this time.

What does suit Frank’s voice is the jazzy Include Me Out. Unfortunately, this is just a filler and nothing else. Another style is introduced with big band jump blues in the form of Wasting Time. This is more like it but a bit more of the horns would have gone down well. More Or Less is Celtic style Country and another well written song although his voice does sound a little strained at times. Will O’ The Wisp sounds as if it should be a Scottish country dance song but what it is, is a sultry, brooding, smouldering contemporary blues in the style of Peter Green or Gary Moore. Only complaint is that there aren’t enough guitar breaks. There’s more country, this time with elements of jazz and blues, on Still In Love With You. This is a bit nightclubby and not strong enough. On The Road Too Long is better and flits on the edge of country/blues/gospel and is another of the better songs on the album. He finishes with the unashamedly Celtic Rain In The Rosses. He’s obviously showing us that he can tackle the traditional style songs as well as those that are contemporary. It’s not my cup of tea but there is a huge market for this kind of song. I’d advise him to stick to the other genres and find a strong singer to highlight his very good songwriting skills.

www.hapaxmusic.com

Copyright David Blue 2006.