Tipping Richard Hawley’s jukebox upside down, scattering the singles across the floor like a bully launching pennies from the shorts of a nerd, is not necessary. The Tonight the Streets Are Ours hitmaker is keen to share with us what he has hoarded over the years. That is part of the charm of Little Banger’s from Richard Hawley’s Jukebox: Volume 2 – a trusted musician with decades of experience and decades more of just listening, like us, searching for that next great song. With the promise of several more volumes over the next few years, listeners would do well to treat these as moments of wisdom from one of the most well-connected musicians in the business. An album pieced together as a tribute to the late Duane Eddy, the work here, which features everyone from Elvis Presley to The Magic Plants, is that fine line between lesser-known and legendary.
This is not a judgment of Hawley as an artist but as a tastemaker. Where so many are keen to create playlists for themselves, it’s all too easy to be bogged down in the variety on hand. We may want to turn to our favourite artists, as no doubt those listening to Little Bangers Vol. 2 will do, for recommendations. A more-than-generous helping of material from Hawley’s record collection is what you’ll find here. He puts his taste in music on the line and backs himself with some real deep cuts and a credible collection of lesser-known songs. But just as important to the variety is the tempo set by collating these songs. A strong start with the Death Proof-featured Jack Nitzsche track, The Last Race, sets the rock and roll tone Hawley wants for this release exceptionally well. It gets people’s attention, it’s what the opening song is meant to do. Those instrumental thrills continue with Trash, the early years of rock and roll tapped into brilliantly by Hawley.
Little Banger’s from Richard Hawley’s Jukebox Vol. 2 is another roaring success in mood-setting thrills from Hawley. He wants to invite you into his record room, to sit and listen to what’s being selected, active choices rather than passive clicks of the button to add one song or queue another. You don’t need to like or know the songs of Bo Diddley or Chet Atkins, for instance, Hawley is simply offering a way into these artists which many have thought about, but few have perfected. Put The Blame on Me spotlights a Presley rarity, songs that’ll have been passed over for one popular hit or that culturally significant moment. There are some essential listens filtered in here, too, with Man from Nowhere a staggering song. It marks a real break from Sunshine Theatre and The Yo Yo’s before it.
Instrumental coolness and that little tinge of what so many love about the early years of rock and roll exude from Hawley’s recent albums, and his Little Bangers compilations are where you can find his sources of inspiration. It’s a treat of a listen in that respect, a cool and considered range of rockers from Hawley’s library. Some may serve as inspirations; a selection of these artists and styles can certainly be found on Hawley’s work, that’s for sure. Little Bangers from Richard Hawley’s Jukebox Vol. 2 keeps community spirit alive and well. It’s what keeps the album ticking over. Sitting around with loved ones and listening to a selection of songs which would feature on an old pub jukebox. For those who remember that it’ll be a fond experience. For those who don’t, but want to, this is the perfect way to do it. Crack open a bottle or can of something nice and settle in for what is a delight of a compilation.
