LOVE DOESN'T ASK - John Hall

Produced by John Hall

Love Doesn't Ask Usurper Only Got Today Calcutta Home Circle Don't Go There I'll Do My Days Litany Moving Target Can't Take It With You Quiet Place October Child

John Hall - guitars, bass, keyboards Peter O'Brien - drums Jon Ossman - bass Joakim Lartey - percussion Guest appearances by:  Rick Danko, Garth Hudson and Jim Weider of The Band, Robbie Dupree and John Sebastian. Recorded by Neil Davidson and J.H., and mixed by Tom Mark at Paradise Way, Saugerties, NY March-June 1999

LOVE DOESN'T ASK is the first John Hall record of new songs to be released 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 Elliot Landy. Graphic design and layout by Kate Boyer.