Roots66: Music: Reviews: Donal Hinely: We Built a Fire

Scuffletown Records STR 1080
Produced by R. S. Field

Donal Hinely - vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, glass harmonica, beer can
Ken Conner - drums, percussion
David Henry - cello, bass, Wurlitzer, electric guitar, optigon, trumpet, ARP, percussion, vocals
Johnny Bellar - dobro, acoustic bass
Will Kimbrough - electric guitar loops, archtop guitar
Dave Harrison - drums, percussion
Fats Kaplin - accordion, violin
John Wheeler - mandolin, steel guitar
Mindy Smith - vocals
Tommy Williams - drums, percussion
John Wheeler - vocals
The Lagavulin Brothers - vocal
Kim Richet - vocals

	CD Review
	Donal Hinely We Built a Fire Scuffletown Records STR 1080 Produced by R. S. Field Donal Hinely - vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, glass harmonica, beer can Ken Conner - drums, percussion David Henry - cello, bass, Wurlitzer, electric guitar, optigon, trumpet, ARP, percussion, vocals Johnny Bellar - dobro, acoustic bass Will Kimbrough - electric guitar loops, archtop guitar Dave Harrison - drums, percussion Fats Kaplin - accordion, violin John Wheeler - mandolin, steel guitar Mindy Smith - vocals Tommy Williams - drums, percussion John Wheeler - vocals The Lagavulin Brothers - vocal Kim Richet - vocals
	1) Gasoline (Donal Hinely, Scuffletown Music, ASCAP) 2) Drunkard Moon (Donal Hinely, Scuffletown Music, ASCAP) 3) These Are the Days (Donal Hinely, Scuffletown Music, ASCAP/Joe Scutella, EMI Blackwood Mujsic, Inc./Fast Twitch Music, BMI) 4) 4225 Wellington Arms (Donal Hinely, Scuffletown Music, ASCAP/Trent Summar, Songs of Spark, BMI) 5) Take My Heart (Donal Hinely, Scuffletown Music, ASCAP/Todd Daniels, BMI) 6) Cynthianna (Donal Hinely, Scuffletown Music, ASCAP/Joe Scutella, BMI) 7) Hey Paul Revere (Donal Hinely, Scuffletown Music, ASCAP) 8) Easier (Donal Hinely, Scuffletown Music, ASCAP) 9) Long Way Home (Donal Hinely, Scuffletown Music, ASCAP) 10) Promise of a Dream (Donal Hinely, Scuffletown Music, ASCAP) 11) Henry Ford (Donal Hinely, Scuffletown Music, ASCAP) 12) Twisted (Donal Hinely, Scuffletown Music, ASCAP) 13) We Built a Fire (Donal Hinely, Scuffletown Music, ASCAP) Review by Bill Yates, Roots66.com Donal Hinely has a fine eye for the truths of the ordinary and the shadowy sides of life, where dreams can be lost but love can still be found. He has travelled extensively, including hitchhiking across Australia, played in small venues, lost his brother in a car accident, married, and become a father. This recording, Hinely's second in the Americana genre, features guitarist Will Kimbrough, with guest appearances by Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Kim Richey and members of Wilco and the Edwin McCain Band. Besides being a fine singer/songwriter, Hinely is an expert on the glass harmonica. Check out his web site for his work in this area. Hinely starts off with a nice one about breaking free. All you need is a Buick and some money for "Gasoline". "Drunkard Moon" is a look at how two people need and find each other, even on skid row. "These Are the Days" is a plea to recognize that no matter how good memories are and how good dreams are, we live in the here and now. The protagonist in "4225 Wellington Arms" recognizes his failings as he prepares to leave his lover and her kids. "Take My Heart" is a rockin' declaration of love. "Cynthianna" is a quiet expression of feelings for the singer's love. "Hey Paul Revere" is a somewhat jaundiced look at a true right-wing extremist. "Easier" is an effective take on how it can be easier to give in than fight your way out. "Long Way Home" is about leaving town with your girl. "Promise of a Dream" retells the truth that dreams don't always come true, but the promise keeps us going. Is "Henry Ford" to blame or thank for the way we live today? You decide. When his lover turns out to be a cruel manipulator, he accuses her of being "Twisted". "We Built a Fire" is a song of love, the fire of love which has now produced a new flame: a child. This is an interesting recording and repays repeated listening. Hinely has a good voice and expression. The songs are nicely varied in tone and tempo. And his words express truths clearly but subtly. This is my first exposure to his work and it makes me want to hear more. I recommend you take a listen. Copyright 2002 William Theron Yates 11/13/2002 This review is copyrighted but may be quoted in whole or part provided credit is given such as "--Bill Yates, Roots66.com". If you post the review on a web site, please link to http://www.roots66.com if you can.

CD Review