By Paul T. Mueller – Austin-based singer-songwriter Chuck Hawthorne’s sophomore effort is an eclectic collection of nine originals and a cover, exploring themes as diverse as Native American lore, the struggles of growing up in the shadow of a famous father, the loss of comrades, and the hardships of life on the road. Hawthorne’s writing is personal but accessible, combining literalism and metaphor to explore a range of human experience.
The opening track, “Such Is Life (C’est la Vie),” is a tribute to a fallen buddy that draws on the language of music and motorcycles. Dealing with a friend’s death isn’t easy, but Hawthorne finds positivity and acceptance at the end: “His holy wind, I gave him back/Now he’s riding on the zodiac/And such, my friends, is life.” Another farewell song, “Worthy of the Sea,” reflects Hawthorne’s military background – a couple of decades in the U.S. Marine Corps. “May your gift be sailing through the end,” he sings. “Calm seas and fair winds keep her steady as she goes.”
“Arrowhead and Porcupine Claw” is a coming-of-age tale featuring a young Native American acquaintance trying to find his place in the world, and the narrator’s efforts to help him along. Fittingly, one of Hawthorne’s own mentors, singer-songwriter Ray Bonneville, contributes of harmonica to the track.
“Broken Good” is about as happy as this collection gets. It’s a lively shuffle and a celebration of imperfection, describing a couple who make music together and don’t care that it “don’t get much farther than the neighborhood.” Hawthorne closes with a fine rendition of Richard Dobson’s “I Will Fight No More Forever,” based on the story of Chief Joseph, leader of the Nez Perce tribe of the Inland Northwest.
Producers Walt Wilkins and Ron Flynt do a fine job of letting Hawthorne’s songs speak for themselves. Contrast is used to good effect – Hawthorne shifts easily between full volume and a voice barely more than a whisper, between fast shuffle beats and slower tempos. The small but capable cast of musicians yields a sound that’s clean and textured, but not cluttered. Both producers also play, mostly guitars; other notables include Libby Koch on vocals, Ray Rodriguez on percussion, and Geoff Queen on pedal steel and dobro.