Richard Hawley 'Happy Families'

Richard Hawley seems like a decent chap. When this first solo record came out back in 2001 he seemed like Morrissey and Marr wrapped up in one package, but filtered through the 50's rock 'n' roll and the pubs and working mens' clubs of Sheffield rather than Salfordian kitchen sink dramas and early Stones' singles. As he's gone on his records have got bigger sounding, acquired better production, more players and gained more sales as a result, but to me he never sounded better than on this little track, the final song from his self-titled mini-album debut. With more echo than the Mersey Tunnel, and some deft lyrical touches ('The night is long, the DJ's gone, there's only us, the friendly ones') this is perfect, like the last swig from the bottom of a good pint.

07 Happy Families.wma