Barry ‘Wonderland’ Hawk
21st Century Bluez
Angela Macari O’Looney
Barry Hawk’s collection on this album has combined old and new sounds. He has a great imagination for melody lines and also a fantastic vocal range. This is demonstrated in each upbeat and memorable number!
Having spent a lot of time abroad in New York, Barcelona and Denmark, Hawk has led various line ups of his band Wonderland. Collaborating with his band mate Keith Moss, here he has achieved a very original music style that pretty much crosses genres.
This music would attract a wide cross section of age groups and music lovers. I immediately felt myself being brought back in time to Bowie, T Rex and good old fashioned Glam Rock at it’s finest, whether this was intended or not!
Barry has managed to infuse some numbers with a mainly acoustic flow, plus a couple of songs with hip hop influences. Variety is the spice of life! And there’s plenty on 21st Century Bluez.
Mentioned in his influences are artists such as Prince, Jeff Beck, The Stones, CSNY and Michael McDonald. His repertoire definitely has the same musical punch as these fab names.
DJ
This number has a funk beat and involves Barry doing rap for the verse. He introduces the instruments as they come in. Guitar chords are choppy, with some superb riffs here and there. Chorus is catchy and an excellent lead solo features. Sean Englishby performs drums on this track and Rob Gallagher plays bass. The bass line is particularly lively and Sean’s beats are essential to the dancey feeling this song inspires.
Do it again
Guitars are wonderful in this number. It has a delicious chorus with sweet harmonies sung by Keith Moss on guitar and also Martina Leonard. I particularly like the trickling electric guitar riffs throughout, especially behind the chorus.
A change of pace for the subdued middle eight is well placed for the build up to the last blasted out chorus. It’s an upbeat love song filled with enthusiasm We’re gonna do it again, even better than the last time.
Feel me 1 more time
A Rock number with a fast tempo and a fun chorus, this has some cool chord riffs, plus a short but sweet lead guitar solo a la Barry. It’s a song you have to shake your head and play your air guitar for!
Wanna Luv U
Choppy beat, catchy hooks and flanger laden chords give this song a lightness that is uplifting. Barry sings in falsetto and a disco bass line adds a happy atmosphere too. Michael Smyth performs drums here and also in most tracks. It would remind me of Mikka with the sweet chorus and high pitched vocals.
21st Century Bluez
The chorus is the best feature in this song. It leans towards rock, with downbeat lyrics, exceptional lead guitar and backing oohs lifting the sound. Distortion packed riffs and a superb solo performed by Keith are also highlights.
Draggin’(Cork)
I love the guitar intro in this song. It’s a slow pop ballad where lyrics describe favourite places Patrick’s Street was bittersweet. I was born and raised I know these streets like the back of my hand. Harmony is close and really sweet here and chord combinations beautiful. In the middle eight there’s a lovely key change, to return back to the original key for the final chorus. Sean McLeod bass, Keith Moss Electric guitar and Martina Leonard backing vocals, all perform this number with Barry.
Grand Parade
This would probably be my own favourite number on this album. It’s slow, but explosive, with a big orchestral sound. Felimid performs Violin and Viola, Turlough Gunawardhana – Cello, Keith Moss- guitar and Harmonies. I hear superb piano in there also. The huge crescendo of music and melody uplifts and lyrics in the verse are delightful Cause its funny how that 7 always takes too long. Well I’d be quicker on my feet. And that jeweller’s clock by the capitol, don’t you see? On Grand Parade, its another Saturday, all the people out to play on Grand Parade. Riffs and hooks are divine and the chorus really memorable and sweet. Barry sings the fabulous middle eight, which is followed by a subdued bit with guitars trickling. He builds up to the last chorus, with the guitars and other instruments and then bam! By that last BIG chorus, you’re singing with him.
Download me
Suddenly you find yourself hearing heavy metal guitars in the intro here. This amazing number addresses the download age we live in. Lead guitar is totally mind blowing, Bass busy and the chorus is powerful, with a fast bashing drumbeat. Barry lists every conceivable social website, pc accessory and a load of computer jargon in the verse. Demonstrating a Rockier side to his music, this is a crazy, but really enjoyable number.
FunkPopFolkSoulRoc
This fun rap has a big impact! It involves three powerful voices belting out the chant Funk pop folk soul rock, with a tambourine bashing out a beat and lots of percussion creating a dance rhythm. I love the last bit where Barry adds and don’t forget hip hop!
Opening up with a sexy guitar riff, Funk Roc City involves some astounding instrumentals throughout and the chorus is catchy, with superb backing vocals. At the last chorus, there’s a refrain that uses the rap from the previous song. I like this!
Sleepin’ in the Moonlite
Acoustic guitars and the la la la hook add charm to this track. It’s a real sing along song.
Harmonic, with a wonderful melody line, this number is a great choice for the finale of a really enjoyable show!
Guests on the album are; Turlough Gunawardhana-Cello, Felimid-Violin, Ruth Kennington-Harmony vox, Denver Thomas-Harmony Vox, Martina Leonard-Harmony vox, Sean Englishby-Drums, Rob Gallagher- Bass, Michael Smyth-Drums, Keith Moss-Electric guitars/Harmony vox and Sean McLeod-Bass.
Album art is monochromatic black/white, with a sketch of the man himself, surrounded by a variety of items that are probably the things that are most important to him. His headset, Guitars, Computer, Mobile, A teapot, turntable, alarm clock and a well deserved pint of Guinness. On the back cover is a photo of Barry, with his guitar.
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