Keith Harkin

by Keith Harkin

Overview

Irish crooner Keith Harkin makes his solo debut with his 2012 eponymous album. A member of the all-male variety show Celtic Thunder, Harkin has showcased his laid-back vocal style across the globe, and his debut release fits well into the show's template. While he is a singer/songwriter in his own right, here Harkin focuses primarily on cover songs that make the most of his naturally burnished vocal twang and romantic surfer-dude persona. These are slick, expertly produced songs that walk a fine line between adult contempo, modern country, and Celtic-inspired pop music, with an obvious emphasis on 2010s-style radio-friendly production. Which is only to say that such cuts as Harkin's duet with Colbie Caillat on Van Morrison's "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You," his reverent take on the Fred Neil-penned Harry Nilsson classic "Everybody's Talkin'," and especially his rambling version of the Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun" are probably more appealing to fans of current Top 40 and not as much to classic pop aficionados. Often compared to the similarly mellow Jack Johnson, Harkin's own compositions, like the lighthearted "Orange Moon" and the uplifting "Take It Away Boys," actually have a bit more of a country vibe, and in that sense bring to mind the crossover stylings of artists like Keith Urban and Lady Antebellum. Ultimately, Harkin has a pleasant voice, and the easygoing, somewhat sentimental quality of these productions makes for relaxing afternoon listening. ~ Matt Collar

Product Details

Release Date:	09/18/2012
Label:	Verve / The Verve Music Group
UPC:	0602537115488

Tracks

1. The End of the Innocence
2. Daisy Fields
3. Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
4. Everybody's Talkin'
5. Nothing But You & I
6. Here Comes the Sun
7. Tears of Hercules
8. Orange Moon
9. Take It Away Boys
10. Don't Forget About Me
11. Rosa
12. The Heart of Saturday Night

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Keith Harkin   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Knee Slaps,Foot Stomping
Colbie Caillat   Primary Artist,Featured Artist,Vocals
Barry Kerr   Flute,Uillean Pipes
Charlie Bisharat   Fiddle
David Foster   Piano
Chris Walden   Conductor
Dean Parks   Guitar,Slide Guitar
Jochem van der Saag   Piano,Bottle,Harmonica,Keyboards,Percussion
John "J.R." Robinson   Drums
David Bakey   Guitar

Technical Credits

Jeremy Lubbock   Orchestral Arrangements
Van Morrison   Composer
Jorge Vivo   Engineer
Tom Waits   Composer
Bruce Hornsby   Composer
Marc Jordan   Composer
William Ross   Orchestral Arrangements
Vartan   Art Direction
Chris Walden   Orchestral Arrangements
Vlado Meller   Mastering
Steve Sulikowski   Composer
Tim Larsson   Composer
Fred Neil   Composer
Don Henley   Composer
George Harrison   Composer
Isobel Griffiths   Orchestra Contractor
Colbie Caillat   Duet
Katherine Frangetis-Tempesta   A&R
Steve Price   Engineer
Jochem van der Saag   Composer,Engineer,Programming,Sound Design,Orchestral Arrangements
Stephan Moccio   Composer
Ryan Rogers   Design
Brian Byrne   Composer
Lucy Whalley   Orchestra Contractor
Johan Fransson   Composer
Evelyn Morgan   A&R
Keith Harkin   Composer
John Barrett   Pro-Tools
Tobias Lundgren   Composer
Thanh Tran   Music Copyist
Joseph Llanes   Photography
Jaymes Foster   A&R
Nathan Kelly   Music Copyist
Jochem Saag   Composer
Don Hensley   Composer