Sean Harrison - Ghastly Love (And Other Dubious Tales) (2025)

This set starts in a tight groove & the seasoned Mr. Harrison slides into base with all the ease of a Robert Palmer on “Good Cover Story.” The difference? Sean has a bit of a street-wise tone to his narrative. Palmer was suave. Sean’s voice has clarity, but it doesn’t detract from the sincerity in his varied material. Midway through, it goes J.J. Cale, which is a nice shift in style.

There are eight Ghastly Love and other Dubious Tales to these musical chapters produced by Darren Novotny (drums) & Sean (guitars). Recorded in Springdale, Arkansas. The Robert Palmer comparisons fall away as Sean’s songs begin to take shape. They’re all well-recorded & conceived. A truly well-captured folk-country tone glides through “Home Where I’m Loved.” It has a vintage folky narrative style in the tradition of Tom Paxton, David Olney, & Tom Rush.

There’s variety in Harrison’s songs that’s done creatively. Some songs come dangerously close to novelty, but Sean steers clear with his ingenuity & attention to detail. The percussion, vocal acrobatics, backup singers, duets with sexy vocals (“Ghastly Love”) — hard not to listen & smile.

There are Arlo Guthrie moments & a humorous cruise in pieces that David Seville (Ross Bagdasarian – “Witch Doctor,” “Don’t Whistle At Me Baby”) would’ve done. But Sean has quite a diverse LP here — consistently interesting. Even “3 Part Strategy” is very Seville.

Country legend Roger Miller had dozens of ‘60s humor hits to his credit (“King of the Road”) but he was a fine masterful songwriter. He composed a Broadway play & one song “River In the Rain” was sterling. Sean isn’t as countrified, but his most serious track “Ghost of the Old Wire Road” would’ve impressed Roger. It’s in that tradition. The music on this – stunning. The deep piano notes decorate its steely bite with the appropriate mood.

The latest single from singer-songwriter Sean Harrison has a fabulous groove that makes you want to move. Renowned guitarist Earl Cate (Cate Brothers) supplies the compelling backing over Matt Nelson’s piano and retro-sounding Hammond B3 keys, providing the feel of an old movie soundtrack. It’s fitting for a song that narrates a dark story, full of cinematic detail about characters and locations, drawing us into the action: “I check my watch and drive south of town // Out to the desert, take a look around // Headlights off, no sudden moves // Dig up the package, I’m satin smooth // A dirty alley and a darkest hour // I meet a fella down there by the water tower // I’m cool and loose for to make the drop // But he’s wound up tighter than a cuckoo clock.”

The video, put together and edited by Daniel Moody, tells its own cinematic tale with Sean joined by Quentin Harrison in the acting roles. Harrison’s voice is perfect for this kind of storytelling; almost spoken at times, it feels as if he could be relating this all to you directly, filling you in on what went down and making you part of the story. The song is enhanced further by backing vocals from Genevieve Carlson, John Davies – who also provides bass – and Harrison himself. Harrison says: “This song formed out of my criminal mind. And some of the passages came from my being a big fan of the TV show ‘Better Call Saul.'” “Good Cover Story” is the lead single from Harrison’s forthcoming album, which is due on 24th April 2025. “Ghastly Love (and other dubious tales)” follows his 2020 solo debut, “Halfway From Nashville”, a record that itself came after a long time away from music. He came back because there are still some tales to tell and we look forward to hearing more.