John Hall: Love Doesn't Ask

Released in August 1999, Love Doesn't Ask is the first John Hall record of new songs in the US since 1983's Searchparty. With acoustic rhythm guitar on every song, and John's trademark strat lead on top, surrounded by the magical rhythm section work of Peter O'Brien, Jon Ossman and Joakim Lartey, it straddles the border between folk and funk. Backup vocals are by Debbie Lan, Marianne Osiel, Jon Ossman and Tim Lawless. The acoustic flavor of the record provides the perfect backdrop for these songs, which are sometimes introspective, often philosophical, but never heavy-handed. With the exception of a few intermittent sociopolitical references (on "Calcutta", for instance, which laments the decay of New York City), Love Doesn't Ask is a highly personal, emotionally charged record. "These songs," says Hall, "are about relationships of all kinds."

From the opening notes of the title track, the clever hooks and catchy melodies that have rendered Hall's songs some of the most recognizable tunes of the pop/rock era are ever-present. An all-star lineup of rock & roll greats, including Robbie Dupree, John Sebastian and Rick Danko, Garth Hudson and Jimmy Weider of The Band, is also featured. As always with John Hall's work, though, it is the songs that take center stage. Love Doesn't Ask runs the gamut from funk-blues rockers ("Only Got Today", Rick Danko on harmony vocals) to touching reveries ("Home", with Jay Ungar on fiddle, "Quiet Place", with John Sebastian on harmonica) to pensive ballads ("I'll Do My Days" penned by Tad Wise) to poignant tributes ("October Child"). The cover features a tarot-style card designed by friend, artist and art teacher F. Tor Gudmundsen. Photos throughout are by Woodstock legend Elliott Landy. Graphic design and layout by Kate Boyer.

Produced by John Hall, recorded by Neil Davidson and J.H., and mixed by Tom Mark at Paradise Way, Saugerties, NY, March - June 1999
-- from Siren Songs Records' press release

Danko sings and Jim Weider plays on "Only Got Today." Garth plays keys on "Circle."

Tracks

1. Love Doesn't Ask
2. Usurper
3. Only Got Today
4. Calcutta
5. Home
6. Circle
7. Don't Go There
8. I'll Do My Days
9. Litany
10. Moving Target
11. Can't Take It With You
12. Quiet Place
13. October Child

Sidemen

• John Hall - vocals, electric & accoustic guitars, bass, keyboards, back-up vocals
• Peter O'Brien - drums
• John Ossman - bass, back-up vocals on track 1, 5, 7
• Joakim Lartey - percussion
• Rick Danko - back-up vocals 0n track 3
• Jim Weider - lead guitar (Telecaster) on track 3
• Garth Hudson - keyboards on track 6
• John Sebastian - harmonica on track 12
• Robbie Dupree - harmonica on track 1
• Debbie Lan - back-up vocals on track 1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 13, spoken lines on track 4
• Marianne Osiel - back-up vocals on track 2, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13
• Tim Lawless - back-up vocals on track 2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13
• John Wieczorek - tabla on track 4
• Jay Unger - fiddle on track 5