Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
“an unabashed rocker…a versatile artist who’s not afraid to cut loose” – People
“acute poetic sensibility with a boho folk-rock sound” – Interview
“Nothing less then the white-heat passions of his ancestors…whether tough or tender, [Chris] makes each song seem like a page from his diary” – Spin
“…intimate…earnest…disarming…” – Rolling Stone
“…tuneful songs fat toned guitar chords and crisp, tough riffs. His lyrics are full of incantatory images with an ambiguity that makes them linger” – New York Times
“Harford is a gifted singer and songwriter with a finesse that is rarely seen any more. His songs are whimsical yet studied glimpses of love and relationships and his voice is a wobbly and gorgeous narrator that will make you miss something you've forgotten” – Yahoo Music
“…great…edgy…moves from loose, weird, distorted rock to lovely acoustic ballads…” – The New Yorker
“Chris Harford makes music that's so personal — and so universal — it's downright life-affirming” – Creem
“Harford makes other singer-songwriters seem like the navel-gazing no-talents they are: He can rock furious feedback onslaughts as well as delve into the deepest, darkest depths of his acoustic soul – Time Out NY
“The sort of songs that we would kill to be capable of writing when we’re in that introspective, shut-away-the-world-and-more mood.” - CMJ
- Varied
Discography
1992 - signed to Elektra and released Beheaded, co-produced by Pat McCarthy (Madonna, U2, REM), featuring appearances by Richard Thompson, Toshi Regan, The Proclaimers and Ween
1993 - recorded a second Elektra record, (unreleased) toured the US opening for Cracker, Louden Wainwright III, Lucinda Williams, Graham Parker, Warren Zevon, Nils Lofgren and Jeff Buckley.
1994- released Comet on Black Shepherd Records
1995- released Band of Changes on Black Shepherd Records
1996- Formed AngelDust with Andrew Weiss (Ween, Rollins Band, Butthole Surfers) & Sharief Hobley (John Legend, Burgundy, Chocolate Genius), which led to a publishing deal with V2 music.
1997- Produced and played on Hub Moore album, Hub, released on Slash/London records
2000- released Wake on Soul Selects Records
2001- released Live at CBGBs Gallery, an acoustic duo performance featuring Sim Cain (Rollins Band) on Soul Selects Records
2003- released Sing, Breathe & Be Merry on Soul Selects Records
2004- released Time Warp Deck, produced by Eric "Roscoe" Ambel on Soul
Selects Records
2006- released Looking Out For Number 6 produced by Mickey Melchiondo on Chocodog/Reincarnate Records
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Chris Harford
Looking Out for Number 6
We here at Chocodog Records and Reincarnate Music are pleased to add Chris Harford to our little circle of friendship, and announce the release of Looking Out for Number 6. People in the Northeast are probably already familiar with Chris, as this New Jersey native has been writing, recording, and playing music for nearly 2 decades. This release marks his 8th solo album. Previous to launching a solo career, Chris was a member of celebrated early 80's Boston band Three Colors. Always in good musical company, fellow band members included Dana Colley, saxophonist in the legendary band Morphine, and Hub Moore, who went on to release an amazing album for Slash Records in the late ‘90s, produced by Chris.
Chris’ solo career took off when he recorded an album for Elektra Records released in 1992,the critically acclaimed Be Headed, which featured guest appearances by Richard Thompson, The Proclaimers, Toshi Reagon and Ween, among others. The relationship with Elektra ended shortly thereafter, and since then Chris has released 6 solo albums on his own label Soul Selects/Black Shepherd Records. All 5 members of Ween have been working and gigging with Chris since 1990, and it was through Chris that Ween ended up getting signed by Elektra in 1992.
So, it makes perfect sense that our first non-Ween release on Chocodog Records would be the new Chris Harford album Looking Out for Number 6. The record was recorded in New Hope, PA and was produced by Mickey Melchiondo (Dean Ween). A prolific songwriter and talented guitarist, Chris has developed a devoted fan base, becoming known for performing marathon concerts with a rotating stable of the region's finest musicians, including many of the aforementioned, the one constant being the name of his band, The Band of Changes. In keeping with that vibe, it is fitting that the only guests on this album (outside of Dean and Gene Ween) are two musicians who Chris met on the day the songs were recorded (and hasn't heard from since). The music is extremely moody and visual as Chris is also a gifted and successful painter. Chris has a massive and diverse back catalog of great songs; his concerts frequently run from 3 to 4 hours and are often performed with no setlist.
Chris likes to keep things spontaneous and in the moment and that's pretty much the way Looking Out for Number 6 was recorded. Most of the songs were written either in the studio or in the days just before the sessions, giving the album a real sense of immediacy. It should also be noted that the record was recorded on TAPE - that's right, TAPE - and subsequently mixed by Andrew Weiss, longtime Ween producer and former member of the Rollins Band and Butthole Surfers.
So here it is, the new Chris Harford album on Chocodog Records/Reincarnate Music - you don't really need to know any more biographical info to enjoy this music, it sort of speaks for itself.
Looking Out for Number 6 is set for release on Chocodog Records /Reincarnate Music on October 3rd.
For press inquiries, please contact Jessica Ricci at publicity@chocodogrecords.com
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