Raise the Hammer
A local musician going by the handle James Gore Barton has posted three gritty, bluesy paeans to Hamilton. A Hamilton lover who has lived here for 23 years, JGB was "overwhelmed with civic pride" on attending the West Harbour Stadium rally in Hess Village this summer.
After a chance meeting at the rally led him to the LeE HARVeY OsMOND show at Festival of Friends, JGB was inspired by Tom Wilson's "Lean on your Peers" and his challenge to the audience to write more songs about Hamilton.
"Once I got started," JGB told RTH, "It was hard to stop. One can't help but feel the passion people have for this place."
"Best Place to Raise a Child" contrasts the city's Mission Statement with the reality of air pollution, transport trucks rumbling through poor residential neighbourhoods, and urban decay.
"The Caretaker" takes a cheeky poke at the owner of our local football team and the real interests he's taking care of.
"Raise the Hammer" is a "sloppy and raw" tribute to the author's beloved hometown.
By UrbanRenaissance (registered) | Posted October 20, 2010 at 10:27:38
These songs totally made my day!
By nobrainer (registered) | Posted October 20, 2010 at 12:58:51
Love it! Thanks James for sharing. Any other talented singer song writers in the Hammer want to pony up?
Honestly, JGB, it's guys like you who make me love this city even more!
Really great playing and very clever lyrics. I'd love to hear you sing these live. Perhaps we should have a post-election gathering somewhere in town that has a stage?
By nobrainer (registered) | Posted October 20, 2010 at 14:02:50
Here's to an RTH Post-Election Party! (or Sob Fest depending on who wins)
By mrjanitor (registered) | Posted October 20, 2010 at 14:18:58
Dude ROCKS!
"$20 to park, $10 for a beer"
By allantaylor97 (registered) | Posted October 21, 2010 at 17:58:31
Comment edited by turbo on 2010-10-21 17:02:22
By allantaylor97 (registered) | Posted October 21, 2010 at 18:37:18
Comment edited by turbo on 2010-10-21 17:40:58
By DC! (anonymous) | Posted April 04, 2011 at 20:09:07
wow james! i thoroughly enjoy listening to your tracks, especially "Raise the Hammer". I like your takes on those issues and think that your music should be much more popular! Keep it up, and create a new song soon!
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