Simple Songs of Freedom

Tim Hardin | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 3, 1996)
• Original Release Date: September 3, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000002ACY
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #182,510 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Hardin's Columbia period, lasting from the late '60s to the early '70s, was a troubled one that saw his songwriting muse wither and his personal life start to dissolve. Although his best work was behind him, he was still capable of recording good material. This 17-song collection is a good distillation of the highlights of his three Columbia LPs, which largely still found his voice in good shape. Original tunes were more of a problem: although the best of his compositions were on a rough par with his Verve work, by the time of 1972's Painted Head, he was devoting himself entirely to covers of songs by others. The Painted Head selections are the least impressive on this anthology, the spare folk-rock of the earlier Columbia sessions giving way to slicker arrangements that don't highlight his sad, wavering voice nearly as effectively. The remainder is pretty good, with the significant bonus of his sole chart single, a 1969 cover of Bobby Darin's "Simple Song of Freedom," and five decent (if sometimes unpolished) previously unreleased outtakes from late 1968. Simple Songs is the one album of post-Verve Hardin music to own. -All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Misery bears Beauty, April 4, 2000

By 

Garth Henkins (Baton Rouge, LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Simple Songs of Freedom (Audio CD)

Tim Hardin was an enigma. How could such a convoluted, unhappy life could bear such utterly beautiful, haunting songs? This album was a very pleasant surprise..the first new material released in such a long time. Songs like 'Shiloh Town' show the effect of his emotive power has not diminished in time, despite his early departure from this world. (1980) Old standards are great to hear again too, great production values, care was obviously taken in the remastering. Buy and enjoy, again and again.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars REASON TO BELIEVE..., January 2, 2001

By 

Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Simple Songs of Freedom (Audio CD)

This is a somewhat uneven CD which runs the gamut from excellent to less than expected. Die hard Tim Hardin fans, however, will certainly enjoy it overall. If you are a die hard Tim Hardin Fan, then you will agree that this is a four star CD. If you are not, deduct one star from my rating.

"Simple Songs of Freedom" was Tim Hardin's only top 100 hit and, oddly enough, was written by Bobby Darin who never recorded it. It is, however, a wonderful anti-war song. Yet, Bobby recorded Tim Hardin's "If I were a Carpenter" and turned it into a top 10 hit, something Tim Hardin was never able to replicate. Go figure.

"Shiloh Town", written by Tim, is the best cut on this CD. A beautiful, wistful song, it represents Tim Hardin, who was a most expressive singer and minstrel at heart, at his best. Though he often classified himself as a jazz singer, his music and singing was an often provocative combination of jazz, blues, and folk all rolled into one. It was his ability to amalgamate these genres of music that made him unique.

If you want a truly all time great CD, get "Reason To Believe: The Best of Tim Hardin" which is a five star CD whether you are or are not a Tim Hardin fan. There is not one bad cut on that CD, and it best tells you what Tim Hardin was all about. That is the CD of which reviewer Daniel Dennis writes in his January 11, 2000 review, and it is to the songs on that CD to which he is referring. His review actually pertains to that CD and not to the "Simple Songs of Freedom" CD. I hope that this clears up any confusion.

12 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Minstrel's Blues, January 11, 2000

By 

Daniel Dennis (Brisbane, Queensland Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Simple Songs of Freedom (Audio CD)

Perhaps the finest collection yet of a criminally neglected artist's legacy of sensitive, confessional folk. Tim Hardin was a superb writer of pop miniatures, quiet songs about his life and loves that touchingly reflect our own hopes and struggles. Musicianship, taste and integrity are by-words for Hardin. Everyone knows 'If I Were a Carpenter' (here given the definitive reading). But listeners will find equal parts pleasure and revelation in 'If I Knew', one of the most beautiful recordings I have ever heard. Other tracks glitter and gleam - 'Misty Roses', 'Reason to Believe', and 'Hang On To A Dream'.

Hardin, who called himself a jazz singer, was so much more than just another folkie. His special gift for rendering with truth and sensitivity the pain and beauty of life is here captured in a special and tasteful set. Perfect Hardin, in fact.