Man, this guy knows how to write and sing an honest earthy country song, and Silverline is only his recording debut! Strong in statue, the former military man (he spent 21 years serving his country in the US Marine Corp and got to travel the globe) has a wonderful relaxed feel to his storytelling. So natural, it seems like second nature to Hawthorne as he puts down his worldly lyrics in precision like order.
It may not have happened, certainly not with such beautiful poetic beauty if he had not experienced a chance meeting at Chicago airport with singer-songwriter, musician Ray Bonneville and the two of them striking up a friendship. On getting back to Austin Hawthorne emailed Bonneville a few songs, and on hearing them the latter instantly wanted to meet an discuss making a record. He gave his wonderful services as producer and picker, and with the help of a circle of accomplished friends keen to lend support a one time pipe dream of Hawthorne’s became a reality.
From the moment I heard the rich timbre of his singing voice, the relaxed form of his story-telling, ace accompaniment and production of Bonneville I was hooked. Hawthorne's songs in safe hands with of the pickers Rich Richards, Josh Flowers, Bonneville, Gurf Morlix, Gene Elders, Mike Beck (electric guitar on the title track, “Silverline”) and harmony vocalist Eliza Gilkyson blossomed. In the words of Gurf Morlix he is a workingman’s songwriter.
Up and running from the start Hawthorne sounds better than ever on “Bound To Be Bound”, such the hypnotic rhythm supplied by the players and peerless lyrics, and then with a little Butch Hancock like West Texas waltz to it “Ovando” (steeped in Elders’ fiddle, harmony vocals Hawthorne whisks u all off to a western scenario is beautiful fashion). While with a plaintive edge arguably greater than on any other “Ashes and Embers” offers a rich poetic ambiance. Others to accompany the above as top class efforts include chugging ode “The Gospel Hammer” and a song he wrote while serving in Iraq “Post 2 Gate”. This as he speaks of poverty, heartache and anguish brought on by war. Plus “Leaving Amarillo” and with only the harmonica and guitar of Bonneville at his shoulder Hawthorne strips it down beautifully on “Rough Luck”. Saying it is a 5-star album doesn’t give it anywhere like the justice Hawthorne’s debut record warrants, fingers crossed he isn’t long in making another one like it.
Maurice Hope