HAROLD HENSLEY
DISCOGRAPHY
Sad Songs from Ohio 2022
"I tried to stay on the positive side of sadness…”
I have always loved a good sad song, but I feel like my approach was a bit different on this record. I was isolated and scared that the world would never return to normal. Still, recording in your underwear is liberating.”
As you may gather, Sad Songs from Ohio is Harold Hensley’s “lockdown record”. During winter of 2020 during snow days with nowhere to go anyway, Harold began working remotely with producer/collaborator David Payne of The New Old-Fashioned on a new batch of tunes that resonated well with the circumstance.
They still resonate well and we’d venture to guess anyone who has spent time in isolated self-reflection during a cold winter will vibe with this album. Yes, you will vibe with this record. It’s a singer-songwriter affair, but with beautifully subtle, ambient arrangements embellished with synths, steel guitar, and organ. It’s a fresh sound and wonderfully cohesive record you’ll likely return to over and over again.
Midnight Savings Time 2018
"The 'Golden Voice' of Dayton Roots Music" - Dr J WUDR
It would be difficult to argue that statement. Harold Hensley's delivery is as powerful and unique as it is familiar and classic. It's instantly gratifying and comforting, yet wrought with emotion and tinged with wisdom of heartache and hard times. Of course, the songs follow suit and are similarly accessible whilst complex and begging for return listening; an Americana classic upon arrival.
Midnight Savings Time marks Hensley's first proper solo effort and an excursion from aside his tenure with southern Ohio's modern bluegrass outfit The Repeating Arms. It's something of a departure musically, as Hensley recruits many of his talented cohorts on an expedition to explore new sonic territory led by producer Patrick Himes of Reel Love Recording Company, though fans of "The Arms" won't be lost. The poetic lyricism coupled with strong melody characteristic of Hensley's previous work remains, but this excursion finds a band reeling in the joys of classic country, rockabilly, gospel, folk, and straight up rock 'n' roll. Some moments are sparse and others elaborate.
Overall, it's a well tailored musical journey captured on reel to reel tape expertly by Himes and Hensley. It's sure to land on many favorites lists and we're proud to offer it on glorious vinyl, CD and digital download.