It has been nearly fifty years since I released my first album FLOATING. In terms of sales, it pretty much bombed. Were it not for the unshakable faith of the record company head, Tim Murdoch, my career would have ended there and then. Thankfully, Tim persisted and the rest, as they say, is history.
The success of my subsequent albums GARDEN FRESH and HIGHER TRAILS and a handful of singles which still pop up occasionally on golden oldie radio has been well documented. However, in 1977, I chose to walk away from the proverbial spotlight and paid the price by fading into obscurity.
For many years this did not bother me. While I no longer performed live, I continued to write and record when the mood took me and was happy with my lot.
But upon returning to New Zealand after decades abroad I found that being unknown to generations of Kiwis did not sit well with me. As one of this country’s first truly successful singer-songwriters I felt the need to reclaim my proper place in our musical history. Not for reasons ego but for posterity.
This desire only increased when, in the early part of this year, a hereditary renal condition had me knocking on Heaven’s door. Better get this done before I’m done, I thought.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I do not see myself in the upper echelon of great Kiwi artists: bands that rocked your world with their anthems, artists who persisted through years of ups and downs, starved in their proverbial garrets, stayed in the public eye, and deserved every bit of acclaim they received. I am not of their ilk or stature. I am simply a dilettante who, among other things, writes songs. Furthermore, I continue to write songs to this very day.
Nevertheless, even my most enduring fans are not often aware of anything I’ve produced in recent years. In that sense I’m frozen in the ‘70s — you could say I used to be John Hanlon.
So, having been confronted so profoundly by my mortality the need to leave some record of the work I have produced in my latter years became important to me.
I’m aware that, like me, albums are something of an anachronism. Nevertheless, I can think of no better way to showcase the breadth and depth of my songs across a variety of genres than a good old-fashioned album. In this case quite a long album. Twenty-Three songs. Enough to establish that I still am John Hanlon and I remain a proud and potent Kiwi singer-songwriter. When you hear the songs, I’m pretty sure you will agree.
The album is called NAKED TRUTHS. It will be released on the ODE label in late July 2021.
Here’s one of the songs to whet your appetite 🙂
Good on you John…..lovely….
Thanks Evan 🙂
I truly love this song John.
Lyrics and arrangement work so well with your whisky, ciggy toned voicing.
Cant wait to hear the album now.
Thanks Craig. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. John
Awesome John – please let us know when the Album is out. Loving the piano – have recently rediscovered this instrument as well. Interesting to think that the young John hanlon music is now the old, and now the older John Hanlon is the new. The important thing is that you have the drive to put your music out their for others to enjoy. That is no small thing. Good on you👍👍
Thank you, Graeme. The piano in this instance was played by Russell Finch my friend and the Arranger/Producer of the tracks done in Sydney. I’ll write more about this in upcoming blogs about the album production. Take care, John
Very nice. Em…Am….Bm. Always a nice combination.
Thank you, Kevin. There’s bit more to it than those chords as I’m sure you will find when you attempt to play it 🙂 Take care, John
Thanks John.
I listened and loved it. Looking forward to the album.
Kia ora
Annette
Great song!
Thanks Darren. My father once said to me: ‘When you receive any kind of criticism or review of your work, consider the source. If you respect the source, respect the words.’ In your case I very much do. Take care, John
Wow Congratulations an amazing achievement, wonderful that you can share the magic of music, with restored health.
Loved the lyrics, so nice to have a visual picture with a song and nostalgic emotion!
I had some Children’s Music released under the Ode Record Label back in the 1990s.
Looking forward to hearing all the Songs.
Thank you for keeping originality alive and well.
Thank you, Ali 🙂
Looking forward to the new album! I’ve been wanting to share with you for a while now that upon receiving my new Bose Wireless Noise-cancelling Earbuds (waiting for them to be released for years )I chose your song to play first. The moment came when they had finally been released and gifted to me. A very momentous occasion! What song of the thousands that I posses was fitting for this trial run? The anticipation was great and I thought long and hard. Not rushing into a quick or lazy decision but one that was years in the making. I had waited so long for this amazing piece of technology to arrive. A song that reflected this great achievement. A song that made my soul soar and heart smile. A song deserving. Yes! It was perfect. The song just seemed to be screaming out, “Pick me! You know that this occasion and I are perfectly matched!”. Yes, this had to be it; “Higher Trails” has to be that song. That perfect song to introduce me to the world of a new dynamic Bose technology.
Earbuds ready to go, volume up….it was time. A young John Hanlon was filling up the room, every syllable within my mind, every nuance, every bit of life caught forever in song pouring out of the new device. The song was right. It was correct. It was perfect. In that moment, I knew that I had chosen the perfect song. I smiled the rest of the day knowing that Bose had finally come through for me. That I had found the perfect song to inaugurate these tremendous pieces of technology. “Higher Trails” is simple. It is perfect. It is epic. I will always be grateful for your contribution to the music world. This song lifts me. No matter where I am or what I’m doing. The song transcends all things. I believe your contribution is greater than you will ever know.
Good to hear from you, Don. As always I appreciate your kind words. I really hope you will enjoy my new album — perhaps my last. It involves a number of musical genres as I tend to do. But all the songs have tunes you can hum and words that matter — at least to me. Take care, John
From your FB post of your story I wrote
“On this sad day I receive news of a very close friend who tells a different story, one of hope and survival. After years of dialysis and despair, a kidney was finally found. In the middle of all this he also found love. And now a love song he wrote with a voice that has never sounded better. Thank you dear friend”
Rosie
Sorry to hear about your sad news, Rosie. Losing friends is never easy. Much love, John
Nostalgic lyrics that struck a chord… well done, stay safe and well John.
Kia ora
Linda
Great song John and nice performance. Take a bow!
Thanks, Al 🙂
Definitely grows on you, lovely.
Thanks, Tony. I sincerely hope the entire album will resonate with you. Take care, John
Hi John
Your cousin Terry Locke here.
I have a photo of us sitting side by side as small boys on the front step of our Grandmother Margaret Smyth’s old Fencible Cottage in Howick. I’m happy to send you a scan of it. Of course, I remember you performing at a Smyth family reunion in the Panmure Catholic Church Hall way back in the days of damning the fam.
Kind regards
Terry
Hi Terry,
Good to hear from you. I remember the reunion in Panmure (and meeting a relative who was a nun). As well, I clearly recall Grandma Smyth’s fencible cottage in Moore Street. Years later my friend Louie Martin’s family lived there. I’d be curious to see the photo. Please send to johnhanlon49@icloud.com
Take care,
John
This is great John. Your voice suits the music so well, and reminded me of Leonard Cohen at times.
It’s nice to hear something of your more recent work. Long may you croon 😉
Your words and your songs 10 to plunket my heartstrings as I reminisce over past life experiences. John keep up the good work I love you sound and I love the words that are put into your songs and I’m extremely proud that you’re a kiwi
Thank You, Michael. To be remembered as a Kiwi songwriter is a large part of my reason for making this album. I explain this more fully in my blog THE REASON FOR MY MADNESS. So reading your words is gratifying for me. Take care, John