Laughing Down Crying

Daryl Hall | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 27, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Verve Forecast
• ASIN: B005DEVH50
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,761 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Legendary singer-songwriter Daryl Hall's fifth solo album combines his soulful vocals with a great batch of new songs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Miss Congeniality not so much, January 2, 2012

By 

Russell B. Fuller "Rapscalion2246" (NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Laughing Down Crying (Audio CD)

I have reason to believe this album is great and intend to purchase it, but this is a review of one reviewer - Miss Congeniality. Her long reviews seem to end up being listed as the "Most Helpful" and thus the first presented.

However, this is not her work at all. Her eleven reviews all comprise complete quotes of reviews written by various authors for All-Music Guide. At the end of her "review," she gives the author's first initial and last name, letting this pass for proper attribution and thus avoiding a charge of out-and-out plagiarism.

Not impressed.

22 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, say no more! He is restless and still growing musically., September 28, 2011

By 

Miss Congeniality (Portobello, Edinburgh) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Laughing Down Crying (Audio CD)

It's fair to ask what kind of solo album Daryl Hall would make after 14 years and a 'world' of changes.

Since 1997's "Can't Stop Dreaming", Hall reunited with John Oates, cut records, and toured globally. He ended a 30-year romantic and creative partnership, got married, became a stepdad, and created "Live from Daryl's House", a homemade internet TV show that went into national syndication in 2007.

In 2010, four days into these recording sessions, his producer and best friend T-Bone Wolk died suddenly of a heart attack (the album, dedicated to him, contains his final recorded performances).

"Laughing Down Crying" is instantly recognizable, yet ambitious and understandably poignant.

Hall plays loads of instruments here; he co-produced with guitarist Paul Pesco and keyboardist Greg Bieck.

These ten songs reflect the range of music Hall's recorded, been influenced by, and encountered while doing his internet show. He doesn't shy away from what made him and Oates household names in the '80s; he embraces the songcraft but doesn't indulge in nostalgia.

The title track opens with an acoustically driven folk-rock number; the melody is pure Hall. It grabs the listener instantly with its strummed acoustic guitars and laid-back backbeats.

The vocal harmonies are pure '70s rock classicism in the refrain, and in them is a tight, rich hook.

"Talking to You (Is Like Talking to Myself)" is more uptempo, its hook dead center. The dual harmony lead vocals touch on late-'80s and early-'90s pop but pushes past them.

"Lifetime of Love" is an acoustically driven, blue-eyed soul number, with horns and a backing chorus that push Hall to soar over them, and his voice just gets better with age.

The opening of "Eyes for You (Ain't No Doubt About It)" is a spacy, nocturnal, funky soul tune with a babymaker bassline and loop.

"Save Me" employs slick gospel with an unforgettable chorus. "Wrong Side of History" would serve Hall & Oates well in the 21st century. Hall's interest in modern production and songwriting is revealed in "Get Out of the Way", with its big drum loops, wall of guitars, and Hall's voice calling up the musical storm around him.

"Crash & Burn" is a gorgeous acoustic pop ballad, and set closer "Problem with You" has Hall taking on the blues via his Philly soul roots. Admittedly, "Laughing Down Crying" is comforting and familiar. That said, it offers plenty of proof that Hall is restless and still growing musically.

It's the work of a master musician doing what he does best -- writing and performing beautifully crafted pop songs in terrific form -- while proving that not only does he have plenty left to say in the new millennium, but has everything it takes to compete in the marketplace. T. Jurek

Can't Stop Dreaming
Can't Stop Dreaming

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WHAT A VOICE!!!!!!, January 1, 2012

By 

Pamela A. Poddany "Book Freak!" (Toledo, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Laughing Down Crying (Audio CD)

I've been a long-time forever Hall & Oates fan since day one. My kids grew up listening to them belting out hits on our old turntable when once upon a time there were albums, 45's, and cassette tapes. How much fun was it to watch my then two year old daughter dance around shaking her little bootie to MANEATER? It was fun! Now, living in the modern world, these favorites sound one hundred percent better. Who would have thought that could happen? They sounded great back in the day but are even better now.

Daryl's voice can melt butter. It's smooth, full of heart and soul and romance. His voice is vibrant and rich and I still love listening to him after all of these years.

LAUGHING DOWN CRYING is a great CD. What a bunch of awesome songs. My favorite is EYES FOR YOU (Ain't No Doubt About It). The entire gang does a fantastic job, blending all of their talents to create this wonderful group of songs. The music in each song is beautiful and the singing -- ahhh, the singing. That voice. That voice --

I've seen Hall & Oates in concert three times now. Each time was better and more fun than the previous time. To think that someone can be in the business of making music this long and still be fresh and new, still have a great voice, still have the gift and magic of words marrying music to create such good vibrations -- it's inspiring! Daryl Hall can belt them out with what appears to be little or no effort; his voice is so good and golden it sends shivers down my back bone. Today while I had the CD playing my husband said, "WOW. IS THAT DARYL HALL? HE CAN REALLY REALLY SING. NOW THAT I'M OLDER I CAN REALLY APPRECIATE HIS VOICE." How true! Well, also, what took him so long?!!!! (My hubby I mean!!)

LAUGHING DOWN CRYING relates some of Daryl's life journey he has made along the way. The good and bad, the happy and sad. Life is what it is, but it's what you do with what life throws your way that counts. Daryl Hall takes advantage of his experiences and shares them with us through music.

The man can sing there is no doubt about it. I hope he continues to sing for a long, long time. It's also a joy to see Live From Daryl's House and enjoy musical friends spending time together jamming and having a great time and including us in their good times.

This is a CD you will want to purchase and enjoy! I'm glad Santa brought it to me!

Thank you.

Pam