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Review: Kevin McGeary
Incongruity is one of the staples for an artist seeking inspiration. Gary Hurlstone's song, 'Saturday' pits real life events against the gentle wash of banality offered by a weekend gameshow. In doing so the work captures the ennui of what is supposed to be a pleasurable day. The song has both a menacing and romantic edge. The lyrics begin by referring to a disturbing news story, evoking that feeling when something horrible is happening beyond one's control.
In gentle three beat time, Saturday proceeds to ebb and flow through a mix of emotions, and time signatures, ably supported by the cello playing of Richard Bamping, (Hong Kong Philharmonic) who punctuates the score with bursts of restrained melancholia as the tale unfolds Saturday is a story told in in heart wrenching sonic form.
Gary:
The song is simply about contradiction: reality or reality TV? which has more drama – choices get made about the relative values of both – real life seems to come second for an increasing cohort. I guess I find this unsettling.

lyrics

Saturday

Saturday,
The TVs on
They have taken some guy for ransom
So you had better pay
Or he’s got 24 hrs left to go
Before he gets—his-own-place—on-the-show
That they’ll make, that they’ll make

On Saturday they’re selling love in-a-box
With-a-ribbon
That you save
Four and you get yourself free
More and you get the TV
And reality, and reality

​But when we walk between the raindrops
That fall on all our lives
The space between the raindrops
Is called paradise
So take me there, one more time
But the more I see you
The less I care

On Saturday, on Saturday, on Saturday
We turn the TV …

credits

from How to Smile Upside Down, released October 6, 2020
Richard Bamping (cello-Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra) Peter Scherr (double bass + cello score)

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about

Gary Hurlstone UK

I tell stories - work created over years of performing and writing. Thematically this can include just about anything!

In a varied and colourful career, I have also busked on the Chinese underground, been banned from playing festivals by the PRC Communist Party, sang at the opening of a Kitchen Appliance Shop and appeared second on the bill to a singing dog! All character building stuff.
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