Michael Hardesty - The Songs I've Finished Singing

Michael Hardesty

The Songs I've Finished Singing
​self-released; 2022

By Jamie Funk
​

Michael Hardesty is a musician from Morrison, Illinois who recently released The Songs I've Finished Singing. The album contains ten songs and for the most part revolves around acoustic guitar and vocals. It’s very much aligned with ’70s bohemian folk that was coming out of venues in New York. 

The songs are sometimes political and often pinpoint specific issues with Illinois. I happen to live in Chicago so I was able to pick up on some of his references. The songs are almost all strummed and Hardesty implements most major and minor chords.

“These Illinois Blues” starts off the album and I thought this was one of the highlights. It’s catchy, well delivered and I thought the lyrics were well written. Hardesty sings “Illinois Blues / In the schools, in the streets / In the cradle or on their feet / you’ll pay your dues.” There’s more of a somber and serious tone with “Desdemona.” The emotion works and subtle shades of brilliance shine here with memorable vocal melodies. Hardesty doesn't seem to like Lori Lightfoot on “An Ode To Lori Lightfoot.” In fact Hardesty paints a pretty evil character. The song sounds like a standard protest or political tune from the late ’60s and ’70s.

“I Don't Want To Talk Anymore” is more poetic and revolves around dreams, interpretation and perception while “Let The Fascists Hang For All Time” gets back into political territory. I was happy to hear some guitar picking on “Rock River” which is somber but one of the most powerful songs on the album.

“The Castle In The Wood” was solid and we get some harmonica on “The Son's Song.” “Westward Train Odyssey” gets back into ’70s folk territory. Hardesty leaves one of the highlights for last entitled “The End Of History.” The picking is great and also contains some of the best delivered vocals. As an engineer myself I wanted a little more body in the recording of the guitar. There are also a couple of songs which feel like the vocals are too loud and on top of the mix. Despite these minor issues I thought the songs were well written and delivered. 

​This is a simplistic and minimalistic album but not without heart and emotion. Take a listen.

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