Remember a while back when Mailo introduced us to Lee Fields on an edition of Artist of the Week? Well this week’s album is in the same vein. I introduce to you Mayer Hawthorne’s “A Strange Arrangement.”
Hawthorne (born Andrew Mayer Cohen) was born in Michigan (the home of Motown) in the late 70’s but if you listen to “A Strange Arrangement,” you’d think he was about 70 or 80 by now. He accomplishes soul so well that today’s artists are blown away by him. Mark Ronson couldn’t tell whether Hawthorne was an old artist or a new one but one thing he knew for sure: “it’s fucking good!!!” John Mayer announced that Hawthorne deserves the best record of the year and even though John Mayer is known for making lots of random announcements, I actually believe he’s on the right track with Hawthorne! On top of that, Rolling Stone and Esquire both gave him high praise as well.
The prelude that opens the album is only 25 seconds long but gives you a taste of the awesome harmonizing skills this guy has. I just have to mention that!
One of the singles off of Hawthorne’s debut is “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out.” The recitation in the beginning of the song definitely takes you back to that classic oldies era (think “Have You Seen Her?” by the Chi-Lites). Hawthorne also sings with a falsetto so that could have a polarizing affect on listeners but the harmonizing back-up vocals are really well done when matched with the slow tempo of the song. This particular song features the prominent bass line that is so common in much soul music.
Another highlight off this album is “Your Easy Lovin’ Ain’t Pleasin’ Nothin’.” This upbeat song features light guitars, horns and more harmonizing back-up. The saxophone adds a nice touch to the chorus and the lyrics seem really sweet: “The way you move your hips/When you’re struttin’ down the street/Oh, it makes a man so weak in the knees.” It’s so full of that innocent adoration we hear in oldies like Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl.” Keep listening though and you’ll find it turns into a song about another broken-hearted boy done wrong by a smokin’ girl!
Hawthorne slows down the pace again with the Temptations cover, “I Wish It Would Rain.” The muffled horns and piano are used nicely here, the piano representing drops (of the tear and rain persuasion). The do-do-do’s are strategically placed about the song while his soft voice seems to take on a deeper crooning tone in order to represent the sad and rainy feel. It works really well!
Finally, “One Track Mind” is a highlight that has an upbeat sound like “Your Easy Lovin’ …” The lyrics are really sweet thanks to Hawthorne’s dedication and love for his girl even though all she cares about are the finer things in life (expensive tags, crème brûlée, etc). My favorite line is: “When she walks in heels it gives me chills/Oh, but when I get the bills I swear my heart skips a beat for real.”
My brother introduced me to Mayer Hawthorne and I’m so glad he did! “A Strange Arrangement” is definitely a great arrangement and something you need to add your collection if you’re a fan of people still creating a great soul sound that reminds you of the oldies you listened to at your (grand)parents’ house! It’s reminiscent of the Motown era and a nice change of pace from today’s music. Sure, you can listen to oldies, but it’s nice to hear a fresh new voice out there making quality music and exposing today’s youth to something they may not hear much of anymore.
Buy the album at our record store on Amazon
Bonus: “When I Say Goodbye” [Barber Shop Quartet]
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