SEAN HAYES: Alabama Chicken

Sean Hayes

Alabama Chicken

© 2003 Sean Hayes (634479018435)

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American music, folk with some African spice.

notes

Recipe for Alabama Chicken

On my way back from N.C. to S.F. my traveling partner D. suggested that we take a detour to Birmingham, Alabama to visit Butch Anthony, a folk artist she had recently met. Butch was showing his art: a dinosaur made of found objects, strange paintings, a blue bottle fly. I met his amazing fortune telling chicken, Bob Ross. Drop a quarter in the jar, look the rooster in the eye and recieve a fortune inside an egg. Throw in Les Blank's great film, "Sprout Wings and Fly", a doucumentary about old-time fiddler Tommy Jarrel. Stir it all together and you've got some Alabama Chicken.

The album Alabama Chicken was recorded on December 9th and 10th, 2002 in Suki Hill's living room in northern California. It was recorded by Paul Scriver. Joining Sean Hayes on the record are: Enzo Garcia on banjo,jaw-harp and musical saw, Jolie Holland on harmonies and violin, Garth Wells on bass, Dave Mihaly on marimba and drums and Will Waghorn on drums.

The recording has ten original songs including Dream Machine which was re-mixed for Mark Farina's new record Air Farina.The album also features the old-time tune Little Maggie and a new version of Bob Dylan's Walkin' Down the Line.




Sean Hayes plays Appalachian Ambient Folk Hop like an Irish rooster channeling Nick Drake... All night till sunrise music.
Born in August 1969 in New York city, a few years later Sean's family moved to North Carolina.
As a child Sean would stay home from Catholic school and sing along to his brother's records: Blondie, the Beatles, Bob Marley.
In the fourth grade Sean transferred from Catholic school to public school. Now it was beat boxing in the bathroom with Darren and drumming on desks with William.
His first singing performance was for a theater audition in high school. He messed up the words.
In college Sean planned on studying theater but he also lived down the hall from a very tall man named Dave who owned a banjo, a fiddle, a mandolin, a tuba and a high lonesome tenor.
Sean left school and began playing traditional American and Irish music with a band called the Boys of Bluehill. He traveled the south, from the Black Mountain Music festival in the Blueridge Mountains down to Charleston, South Carolina.
Since 1992, Sean has lived in San Francisco Ca., playing music everywhere, from night clubs (the Make Out Room, the Fillmore, Slim's) to the Acid Cabaret at Burning Man.
He has four independent releases "A Thousand Tiny Pieces", "Lunar Lust", "Alabama Chicken" and “Big black Hole and the Little Baby Star”.

reviews

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  • A gem
    author: everysandwich

    I heard of this from an old college friend, and I'm so glad she made me aware of his music. Wonderful vocals and a great overall mood. The title track is mysteriously catchy. As John, noted, it would be nice to have the lyrics. THe harmonies from Jolie Holland are especially interesting.

  • Great CD
    author: John G

    Discovered this artist on Pandora.com via the title track Alabama Chicken. The whole CD is just as wonderful. Listen to it in the car, cottage, trying to learn some of the songs on guitar but lyrics are a bit muddled at times, would be nice if lyrics were included but you can't have it all, all the time.

  • one for the road, one for home
    author: shari

    I cannot stop playing this CD. I need to buy one for my home and one for my car for those rare moments I forget to carry it along. It's become my sweet companion. I love love love this music.... the hook for me was hearing "smoking signals" on Pandora...the rest of the cd is absolutely stunning.

  • it makes me want to take off my clothes and dance around naked
    author: melissa

    the best surprise was jolie holland and her beautiful voice cameo. my food co-op rocks out to sean hayes almost every day, and sometimes i find myself whistling alabama chicken while making sandwiches. it's awesome.

  • Perfect example good songwriting is alive
    author: Alex Bistroi

    What a classic! I've seen Sean three times with Jollie Holland and he is better every time. Alabama chicken is a song that I play whenever the day seems dull and it colours everything in bright bold nuances. His version of Walking Down The Line shows his respect and ability to handle a classic. I have a feeling I will listen to this CD in 10 years and feel the same way.

  • Sean Hayes can have my baby.
    author: Jovo

    You can't listen to this album and not come out feeling better. There aren't a lot of albums that you can listen straight through but this is definately one of them.

  • funky
    author: Kim

    Found out about Sean through his connection with Jolie Holland and am happy to say that Alabama chicken is just as earthy, soulful and funky as I hoped it would be. Love it!

  • a new respect for chickens
    author: kt

    my 1st sean hayes album after hearing his rattlesnake charm being mixed by dj mark farina. thanks to both artist, they've elevated me to a whole new world of beautiful melodies.

  • author: Annie

    Great Songs! Sean Hayes is great!! I love all of the songs, very peaceful and catchy.

  • s'good
    author: Solar

    Well what struck me initially about this album were the songs Little Maggie and the titular Alabama Chicken. Besides the obvious deft banjo and heart-tugging vocals, it's the rhythm that pulls me along. The interplay between instruments never seems to settle into a rote pattern and succeeds in keeping me invested in the songs all the way to the end.

  • blown away....
    author: Brandon (New Zealand)

    I hunted this CD down after deciding I had to find out who this Sean Hayes was, having loved the Mark Farina 'Dream Machine' mix that was on a compilation CD played by a New Zealand DJ. This CD blew me away with its beauty, the strength of the tracks on it, and the melodies and lyrics that stick in your brain. There are shades of Van Morrison and Bob Dylan here but this album and Sean sound unique. It is shocking to me that someone this talented, and with such a beautiful voice and sound, can NOT be a household name (good on you cdbaby.com and Mark Farina). No question, just buy it.

  • what a great singer!
    author: peter_from_germany

    i fell in love at once with sean´s voice & the high quality of singing, composition, wonderful melodies and intelligent textwork. everybody who likes david gray (although it´s different, but i´m sure) will like sean hayes, too. wonderful music and a great artist from which we can exspect much more in the future!

  • Sean reached Poland
    author: Olive

    Did I have to go so far, to the Kingdome of Monaco, to find this CD out? Finally it reached Poland, with me, in my mind, I listen and dance to rattlesnake charm each morning...speechless

  • great songs.
    author: irish27

    the music will put your mind at ease. the harmonica, the saw, the guitar, the vocals... all of it. its awesome. you'd think this guy grew up in backwoods alabama ... its all so mellow and honest. anyhow, 'nough said.

  • really good
    author: mandy

    i love this cd, and will continue to tell that to friends.

  • i can't stop listening!
    author: mildredhubblism

    one of the best cds i've purchased in the last couple of years. catchy tunes. great melodies.

  • Great album, really enjoyed it!
    author: Taylor Marr

    hey now, this was a really great album. i turned my roommate on to it and she really loved it, too! we both love the rattlesnake charm song. keep up the good work! and the video for that was great as well.

  • Divine
    author: Stacy

    I love the whole CD from start to end. What a great musician.

  • Way to go Sean!
    author: Amirra

    WOW!!! What a treat! Thought you might like a review from an old friend who remembers your "boys of blue hill" blue grass days in NC. I found your latest online and was blown away! My sixth grade art students love to groove to "Rattle Snake Charm" :) Glad to see (and hear) you are still a shining talent Sean.

  • f***'n finger lick'n great s**t!
    author: puppy disease

    f***'n finger lick'n great s**t!

  • wonderful! beautiful!
    author: hannah

    this is a must must MUST have album. buy it now. enough said.

  • Nothing else is music
    author: Lucien

    Okay, I thought I knew what music was... I thought I was a connaiseur, I didn't subscribe to any of that poppish radio crap, I had refined tastes... then I listened to Sean Hayes. This is musical perfection. This is the music we should put on probes that we sent outside our solar system, loaded with our greatest achievements so that aliens can understand us if they ever come across it. Raw, unengendered passion. Wow.

  • just can't turn it off
    author: S. Gaw

    How many times do you love every song on an album? Sean's music is incredible. "Here We Are" is the song that does it for me.

  • The album is a journey you want to keep repeating.
    author: Rita Brown

    From the first song Moonrise you know this singer and this CD are something very different, very special. Discovering Sean Hayes music is like discovering GOLD. By the time I reached Rattlesnake Charm I was BLOWN away! The album is outstanding and the underproduction makes it all the better. Warning- this album is addicting and there is no cure.

  • The album is a journey you want to keep repeating.
    author: Rita Brown

    From the first song Moonrise you know this singer and this CD are something very different, very special. Discovering Sean Hayes music is like discovering GOLD. By the time I reached Rattlesnake Charm I was BLOWN away! The album is outstanding and the underproduction makes it all the better. Warning- this album is addicting and there is no cure.

  • reaaaalllllly goooood
    author: mark

    Ditto on everyones comments...Sean makes beautiful music...

  • Come for the chicken, stay for dessert
    author: cathy O.

    Sure, the all-knowing, all-seeing feathered oracle gets you in the door with its seductive promise of eggs and honesty, but even this cannot prepare you for a musical experience that boldly begins with the swimming strains of the symphonic musical saw. With this introduction, you know you've entered a world where you should, no you MUST!, settle in a soft couch with a cold drink and set a spell. Cluck, cluck.

  • author: kait

    I really enjoy listen to this cd. It lifts my spirit and inspires me.

  • Out Of This World
    author: June

    Alternative? Yes. Beautiful? Oh yes. Music that sets your feet tapping and your heart singing. Quite simply, the best.

  • sway, swaying, swayed
    author: tiffany

    someone in my office played me this cd: i was seduced by "here we are", then discovered that each song is hypnotic in a different way. i really like the vocals too, especially when his hoarse twang is complemented by a female vocalist (is it jolie holland? must read liner notes!)

  • wow...changed my life one word at a time
    author: Celina

    alabama chicken the song is a lovely banter of imagery that makes you smile and makes you think. "here we are"...take a look around, this world is still magic and lord isn't it beautiful!

  • top five all time albums
    author: dan sherman

    Sean Hayes - his smooth bob dylan-esque voice and rythmic guitar rates on my top 5 all time artist list. You will not be dissapointed. This guy has real talant. Check him out and spread the word. He deserves it.

  • My socks got knocked off.
    author: sophie

    This cd is so full of feeling. Beautifly sung, beautifly played, and things he says are so beautifly put. The Bob Dylan cover, damn, beautiful. Get this album. git it.

  • Beautiful
    author: Lorraine UK

    This really is special. Hard to compare with anything, but that's a good thing. Gorgeous voice and stunning melodies. An absolute must. My favourite album for yonks.

  • Unique style and voice, lovely melodies
    author: Wyles Vance

    My favorite song is rattlesnake charmer, and I enjoy this CD's use of banjo, fiddle, and the musical saw. I can't wait for another CD.

  • Friggin Beautiful
    author: Spartacus

    If this CD doesn't make you realize that you are, in fact, alive and breathing, then I beg you, seek help...because you might not be.

  • author: Madeline

    It'll make you laugh...it'll make you cry...and it's alot of fun to blast Alabama Chicken when you're driving down the street and introduce the world to the FABULOUS sean hayes!

  • We woke up to Here We Are on the radio only twice before buying.
    author: Christine

    We only had to wake up to "Here We Are" on the radio twice before buying Alabama Chicken. That song makes my heart drop in the most exciting way. Fantastic album.

  • I can't get that song out of my head....
    author: Erin

    The cd has a collection of tunes that I have been looking a long time for. Sean Hayes pulls in folk melodies that leave me humming Alabama Chicken for hours afterwards. One of the best cd's that I have bought in a very long time.

  • and the saw, too!
    author: sarah

    first heard maggie on my car radio, driving home late. the rest of the album falls into place beautifully. thank you for the saw--i play and am delighted to hear it on other recordings.

  • GREAT musician!! Let's hear more.
    author: Rob

    Have been listening to these songs on a friend's itunes for months, whenever I go to her house. Finally decided the music was haunting me enough to drop the cash. BEAUTIFUL album, Sean!!

  • The song Alabama Chicken is the coolest.
    author: Tequilalovesme

    Sean has a nice singing voice and the music is great but the imagination behind the words in the song Alabama Chicken are so cool.

  • My seven-week-old loves Alabama Chicken!
    author: Ethan Handelman

    I bought the CD after hearing it on WERS in Boston--the title track is pleasantly intriguing. It turns out my seven-week-old daughter loved it (at least, she stops crying when we play it--a rare and precious thing).

  • Wonderful and unique
    author: Reiko Porter

    If you ever have a hankering for a little fiddle, banjo or harmonica with your main course, then dinner is served. The entire album is beautifully done. I think i will listen to it right now...

  • the bird don't lie
    author: Rachael

    I bought the cd on a whim after hearing it on the radio, it is my newest mental soundtrack. Damn if I can't get ..A bird don't lie.. out of my head.

  • Worth all the hype!
    author: Criselda Catindig

    I heard about Sean Hayes from KCRW, a public radio station. And I liked his style. I tried to see him play live in Hollywood, CA at a club named Hotel Cafe, but the tickets were all sold out; the house was packed and there was just no way of seeing him. So, I both his CD instead. His album is a nice addition to my CD collection and is worth all the hype I've seen.

  • Very Enjoyable
    author: Scott Gonyea

    Sean Hayes is an awesome artist; I first heard his song remixed by DJ Mark Farina on KCRW. Enthralled by the vocals, I was ecstatic to find more of his music. Hayes has a folkish sound to his music, akin to the recently popularized Damien Rice. It's incredibly well done. My only complaint is that some of the music can be grating at times.

  • This is a great album! Love the earthy - yet catchy sounds!
    author: Darren Moss

    I'm from Australia and heard "Rattlesnake Charm" from this album on KCRW over the Internet. The good news is it's a cool little album - I also love Sean's version of Bob Dylan's "Walking Down The Line" and Sean's own "Rain Coming Down". Breezy fun stuff. It'll be interesting to see how big Sean gets. Hope he's pushing "Rattlesnake" to other radio stations. To hear it - is to love it judging from all these reviews!

  • Super 5-star Album
    author: displaybob

    Listened to this album 2 or 3 times; then some more. Sean Hayes "Alabama Chicken" is tremendous. I like all of it; most notably Rattlesnake Charm. It's kind of a folk genre; "Bolero" (very,very, nice). I recommend this album to all lovers of life.

  • SU - PURB!! Absolutley LOVE it!
    author: Minkhi

    This Cd has me on highs and lows throughout the whole CD - I can relate so much to this music and what a soulful sound! Great Job , once again, Sean!

  • great voice. music that resonates. this one won't get old fast, if at all.
    author: c. charles

    this is my introduction to sean hayes. a unique voice. by no means commonplace. the songs resonate so beautifully. only one or two songs may be considered filler. the album begins with the meditative first song and gradually blossoms all the way to the very accessible rattlesnake charm. the voice plus the music is an unbeatable combination. of course, it makes sense that one of sean's favorite superstars is bob marley.

  • Bob Ross is an amazing chicken.
    author: Regan

    Bob Ross knows what I like. I've been listening to so much chicken that I finally had to loan it out to avoid doing myself a harm. The dreamy gentle funky folksy bluegrass is just as delicious live. Check out Sean Hayes in concert around San Francisco and join the cross-legged children sitting at his feet as I have, my child.

  • like deliverance on opium
    author: allan

    did i say that out loud?

  • Shake your thing, Sean
    author: Tom

    I can't stop listening. I've been looking for a sound like this. Of course, the Alabama Chicken knows that.

  • Can't stop singing it
    author: Rich

    KCRW has done it again. Thank you Sean Hayes for the wonderful album. As a NC to SF to NYC to LA boy it was just the shot of folk funk that I needed. I can't get "Alabama Chicken" out of my head, which is beginning to worry my girlfriend...

  • funky folk
    author: rob

    a much needed fresh sound...thanks KCRW...can't wait to check out live show this sat. at the derby...Sean, thanks for the shout out to ECU on Morning becomes...

  • Sean Hayes' CD is absolutely fantastic.
    author: M. Wyman

    I heard Sean Hayes play on KCRW and immediately loved his sound. The CD itself does not disappoint. Every song is fantastic. I can't wait to see him live.

  • future of folk?
    author: challabuck

    If this is the future of "folk," count me in. Great song-writing, a fine sloppy sound, and an even greater voice. You're on the rise now, Sean. Just don't let that KCRW success get to your head.

  • Amazing voice...great music
    author: Dan

    Sean Hayes music is excellent, and that voice has to be heard to be believed. Can't wait to see him live.

  • Folk for people that don't like folk
    author: Ondine

    I'm not usually a big folk fan....too much whining and ironic self introspection. This CD is different. It's well written and fun to listen to. Great, clever music that sounds very homemade and real. A rarity in these days of extruded-petroleum-by-product rock.

  • new and funky
    author: Gail

    I first heard the song Rattlesnake Charm on KCRW and loved it. Sean Hayes' lyrics and voice accompanied by Jolie Holland make for a great tune. I was pleasantly surprised by the rest of the album. It's a great contemporary spin on bluegrass and I feel simply happy every time I listen to him.

  • mmmmmm....
    author: Michelle

    This is a sweet and deeply soulful piece of work, and I love it beginning to end... the sort of thing it is a PRIVELEGE to be able to listen to...

  • World of it's own...
    author: Jennifer Gray

    This album is so hypnotic it puts you in another world of warm summer wind, slow hours and sweet, fried naps. Thanks to KCRW for playing Sean Hayes...otherwise I would've never found this album. And thanks to CD Baby for selling it. And most of all, thanks to Sean Hayes for putting it out there.

  • beautiful music
    author: ed

    this is an amazing CD- so much emotion. both the lyrics and the music are very moving. can't recommend it more!

  • THANK GOD FOR KCRW - the direct link to music like this!!
    author: Alexandra Boyd

    I first heard Rattlesnake Charm on KCRW and would tap my toes along to this catchy tune whenever I heard it on my car radio. I found I could buy it at CD Baby - I did and I LOVE it!! ....and then I found out that Sean recorded the CD in his friends front room!! You hear all the ambient sound and feel like you are right there in the room with him- Great lazy, sunny, summer afternoon listening. Go Sean!!! I look forward to hearing a lot more from you in the next few years!!!

  • beautiful
    author: Krista

    I am so pleased I discovered this CD! I can't get Little Maggie out of my head. Rattlesnake charm is one of the nicest songs I've ever heard.

  • sweet with a lot of soul
    author: lori

    There's just something about this cd...it's simple and sweet and soulful, and it gets under my skin. I keep going back to it, it's unusual in the best kind of way. I'm don't usually listen to "folk" music, but this has a quality that's hard to explain but easy to get.

  • author: Jennifer

    "The chicken is so spicy...you'd think it was born in the sauce." A fantastic CD!!! It's really one of those albums you could listen to all of the time and not get sick of it. I love it! Looking forward to the show at the Hotel Cafe in LA in February.

  • Top 5 cd's of 2003
    author: Cornelius

    From the moment you push play the music takes you back in time to a simpler and intimate place. Beautiful music done the way it was supposed to be done. The vocals and instrumentation weave a pefect blend for the listener and the album ends with "Rattlesnake Charm", which might be the most infectious song I have ever heard-you shake your arse and grab the beautiful women next to and start dancing. Enjoy.

  • Really enjoy the banjo
    author: E Miller

    The music is great. REally looking forward to seeing Sean Hayes in person. Love the banjo. I also really like to hear where Marc Farina's Dream Machine came from.

  • author: Cindy Lou

    I love the meditative groove of this music. Rattlesnake Charm is absolutely hypnotic, especially with headphones on, swinging my hips east to west, north to south, around the world. Tasty tunes, indeed! Alabama Chicken is finger lickin' good!

  • author: Shannon Coulter

    When Sean Hayes played Moonrise (the first track on Alabama Chicken) sometime around three o'clock in the morning at the Acid Cabaret two years ago, it wouldn't be exaggerating to say that new worlds of benevolence were opened to me. Listening to the whole album now, I'm even more of an admirer.

  • A great CD
    author: Rebecca

    This is a very good CD, I've been playing it almost continuously for two days. It's hard to categorize, but songs like "Here We Are" and "Smoking Signals" are in a similar sort of vein to Will Oldham etc., but, in my opinion, infinitely more lovely.

  • Great voice, inspiring tunes, love that chicken
    author: rochelle toas

    moving tunes, love the ambience on alabama chicken-rattlesnake charm is especially lovely

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