Popwreckoning favorite and one man band extraordinaire David Ford will release his third album, Let the Hard Times Roll, on April 20, 2010 through label Original Signal Recordings. Let The Hard Times Roll contains some of the most upbeat, rocking songs Ford has ever written, like the genuinely boisterous “She’s Not The One.” 
The album represents the era in which it was created, so there’s an underlying tension that runs throughout, as on opener “Panic,” all strained nerves in its urgent bass groove, blistering electric guitar, and piano that keeps time like a wound clock; the pensive lament “Waiting For The Storm;” and dissatisfied barroom choral “Nothing At All.” Already known for his searing political anthems (“State Of The Union” off 2006′s I Sincerely Apologise For Any Trouble I’ve Caused; “Requiem” off 2008′s Songs For The Road), the sultry, swaying backroom stomp “Surfin’ Guantanamo Bay” and the solemn accordion and banjo-based elegy “Stephen” are among his most scathing and pointed indictments.
In keeping with his reputation as a remarkable one-man band, Ford plays nearly every instrument on, produced, and engineered (with the help of James Brown, who’s worked with Foo Fighters, Brendan Benson, Placebo) Let The Hard Times Roll, in addition to writing all the string arrangements and designing the artwork. The album was recorded throughout all of 2009 in a variety of settings, and not one of them a studio. All but one track were laid to tape in an industrial estate empty unit in Eastbourne, England; the concise, homesick “Missouri” was recorded in a room at the Rodeway Inn motel in Warrensburg, MO, while on a solo tour in 2008. Bits and pieces of piano parts and chorus vocals were also captured in a former convalescent hospital’s family quarters in southern England.
Ford will head out on a three and a half week headlining tour beginning March 3rd at the World Café Live in Philadelphia and wrapping up March 26th at Union Hall in Brooklyn.
“I will be flying solo with as many machines and boxes of noise as the United States will allow me to bring within her borders. I enjoy the challenge of putting on the most elaborate musical performance possible within the limitations of two hands, two feet, the standard international airline baggage allowance and the available trunk-space of a reasonably priced rental car.” – David Ford
Ford truly puts on an incredible show, the likes of which has blown my mind on several occasions. If you see one show this Spring, make sure it involves David Ford. And lucky us, Philadelphia — we get him twice, both times at World Cafe Live. Whee!
Head to Ford’s MySpace page to hear snippets from Let The Hard Times Roll.
Tour Dates:
Mar 03 – World Cafe Live / Philadelphia
Mar 04 - Le Poisson Rouge / New York City
Mar 05 – The Saint / Asbury Park, NJ
Mar 06 – Turning Point / Piermont, NY
Mar 09 – The Drake Hotel / Toronto
Mar 10 – The London Music Club / London, ONT
Mar 12 – Schuba’s / Chicago
Mar 13 – The Patio @ UWI / Madison, Wi.
Mar 15 – Zanzabar / Louisville
Mar 16 – Eddie’s Attic / Atlanta
Mar 18 – Six String Cafe / Raleigh, NC
Mar 19 – Attucks Theater / Norfold, Va.
Mar 20 - The Southern / Charlottesville, Va.
Mar 21 – The Iota / Arlington, Va.
Mar 23 – The Iron Horse / Northampton, Ma.
Mar 24 – Passim’s / Boston
Mar 25 – World Cafe Live / Philadelphia
Mar 26 – Union Hall / Brooklyn
David Ford: website | myspace | @ tla | interview with
Photo: Jessica McGinley
