Hank Wedel, “What Happens in Cork”

"Clearly loved by his peers for his generosity, Hank is very happy to share his stage."

-The Irish Examiner 

With songs inspired by good time artists including The Lovin' Spoonful, Grateful Dead, and Richard Thompson, Hank Wedel brings comradery to his music and his fans in both recordings and shows. His new album, the 10-song “What Happens in Cork” –released August 25— was produced by Declan Sinnott (Christy Moore). The album features 9 songs written by Hank, and one song written by Declan. Guest artists on the album are a who’s who of players especially from the Cork County scene. 

"There are a few reasons I decided to give the name, '"What Happens in Cork,'” says Hank. “First, I find myself saying ‘it’s what happens in Cork,’ when I explain nightly events in Cork City and County. I’ve heard it said, ‘if you love Cork, it has a way of keeping you,’ and ‘if you marry a Cork woman, you’ll end up living there…’ ‘Cork City is the only city in Ireland that hasn’t forgotten what it is.’”

When Hank saw an image by Cork’s longtime music photographer, “Murphy Kie” of Hank hamming it up like a warrior with his guitar versus soldier statues at Cork’s Elizabeth Fort, “What Happens in Cork” became his slogan, (future) podcast, and this collection of songs! 

Hank recorded “What Happens in Cork” at Declan’s studio in The Hills of Bandon, Co. Cork during the global lockdowns from 2020 into 2023.    

Hank Wedel was born in Dayton, Ohio, USA 1963, raised in New York City and Mallow, Co. Cork, Ireland. Based in Cork City, this guitarist/vocalist/ songwriter/recording artist/band leader has performed thousands of gigs from The North Pole to The Canary Islands, all over The USA and Europe as well as recording/releasing albums and singles of his own material, solo or with bands "Princes Street," "Open Kitchen," and "Small Town Talk."  This year 2024, Hank celebrates 50 years of living in Ireland, 40 years of being based as a musician in Cork City and 30 years of a Monday Night residency with mandolin supremo Ray Barron at Charlies Bar, Cork City. In his time Hank has performed onstage with Shane McGowan, Mary Black, Christy Moore, Kila, Philomena Begley, and Bono.

Fall 2024 Songs

"I Wish You Joy" Dean Friedman male tenor vocals, like a soulful and mindful Billy Joel with coed harmonies and harmonica. "Breathe the morning air" joy joy joy  Joy!!!!  

Kwanzaa’s Pure Light Yocontalie Jackson & the Jennifer Tibbetts Children's Chorus  Gospel, percussion, flugelhorns, piano, mid-tempo, spoken word and singing, female leadsinger & teenage children choir describes what Kwanzaa is and how it's related to "our African past." celebrate community & words that rhyme like unity, responsibility. 

"Smiling" Refestramus prog rock inspired by Crack the Sky but with female vocals kindred to Miley Cyrus. "I'll keep smiling so you can see me." 

Zombie Love Refestramus  uptempo dance with energetic edm fx, keyboards that sound like strings, female vocals, multi-female vocals qualities of being a zombie "Keep fighting me baby, you're driving me crazy, we gotta fight for our zombie love" 

refestramus.bandcamp.com/track/zombie-love-radio-edit

Hometown Jaclyn Bradley female vocals, slow and mellow, midwestern pop-rock, leaving home to travel the world and get married, ultimately finding it in her hometown.  "The things that you run from sometimes save your soul."

One Tribe Orleans Funky guitar and drums mid-tempo like the Eagles' Life in the Fast Lane, John Hall's blues rock voice, "We are all one tribe." chant "we are one everyone we are one" Note: Lyrics shout out conflicts from the 1990s. 

Blackbird  Kj Denhert  piano led jazz version with instrumentals and upright bass solo, Kj has a comforting jazz pop voice, alto, there is a build up vocally towards the end. BIPOC, live recording without crowd noise.

kjdenhert.bandcamp.com/track/blackbird

The Time We Share  Hank Wedel  midtempo, friendly song, male tenor with voice like Richard Thompson, "It's great to see you, we thought you were dead." hook: "It's all about the time we share." Reunion. 

hankwedel.bandcamp.com/track/the-time-we-share-2 

Outrage Olympics  Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius male vocal, tenor in Jack Bruce's range, keyboards into full band led with electric violin. Genesis-inspired. This is about not minding your own business & why people walk on eggshells, cancel culture.

 

FU Dance Doozer McDooze (aka Paul Short) upbeat tempo electric guitar & drums driven, British cockney punk singer/sometimes shouter, rock dance song, Starting fights in person & online. "It's ok to give someone a second chance, but on the third time, give them the FU Dance."  

 

(We Are) The Rakes of Mallow

Hank Wedel’s Summer Single, “(We Are) The Rakes of Mallow is available on all streaming platforms. The song is produced by Declan Sinnott (co-founder Horslips, Christy Moore, Mary Black, Moving Hearts). 

"(We Are) The Rakes of Mallow" is based on an 18th Century Irish folk song, by Edward “Pleasant Ned” Lysaght (1763-1809).  The original version is about the debauchery, bad behaviour and fun reported in Mallow during the latter half of the 18th Century when the local warm water spa became a major attraction to the town. 

 

Hank Wedel's version is updated, and features Declan Sinnott (producing, guitar), Greenshine’s Mary Greene and his niece—actress/dancer/singer Clodagh Mai both on vocals. The single is an updated version of the old song.  Hank says, “Mallow had a hot springs spa supplying warm water bathhouses. It was something of an Irish ‘Sin City’ for a while with all kinds of carrying on…” Mallow is also the Irish hometown of Hank’s mother. “In her time, the 1950s, Mallow was a bustling rural town, the railroad crossroads of Southern Ireland with a sugar factory, a chocolate factory and other agricultural manufacturing industries.”

 

Hank and friends dressed as 1750's Rakes when they made the video in September 2021. The project made national headlines in Ireland, as the video features performers from several performing County Cork towns--Doneraile's Art for The Heart Performance Troupe, dancers from Mallow's renowned "Centre Stage" performance school, the Cork City-based Aatma Indian Dance Troupe, well known Irish actor Martin Lucey, and members of Hank's circle of family and friends. In addition, Clodagh Mai singing and dancing and representing the youth of Mallow in the second verse, Hank’s wife Eileen (who was born and reared in Mallow) walks down the street with Hank at end of the video.

 

The video and song tie together all of Mallow’s history from the 1750s to his mother’s time, and then his years growing up in the 1970s and ‘80s. “The video looks towards a hopeful future, like a ghostly vision I had of where my life had brought me.”

 

Hank is planning a multi-part podcast later this year to explore the song’s travels through time and space, which includes the music in a famous fight scene in John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara classic “The Quiet Man,” the theme song of the University of Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish (U.S.) Football Team, in Indian culture—Krishna as a mischievous youth….. 

 

“(We Are) The Rakes of Mallow” launched this year’s Mallow Arts Festival, July 20-24, with a concert at Mallow’s Hibernian Hotel Ballroom.   

 

Hank plans to release a new ten-song album produced by Declan Sinnott, which will include “(We Are) The Rakes of Mallow,” and his 2021 singles “Poe Park 2am” and “The Time We Share.”  Stay tuned for more information.

 

Hank Wedel was born in Dayton, Ohio, USA 1963, raised in New York City and Mallow County Cork, Ireland.  Now based in Cork City, this guitarist/vocalist/songwriter/recording artist/band leader has performed thousands of gigs from The North Pole to Lanzarote from Oklahoma to Azerbaijan, solo or with bands Princes Street, Open Kitchen, Small Town Talk.  Hank has a 28-year Monday night residency at "Charlies," in Cork City with mandolin maestro Ray Barron... Hank has performed onstage with Shane McGowan, Mary Black, Christy Moore, Kila, Philomena Begley and Bono.
 

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“Poe Park 2 AM,” New Song by Hank Wedel

 

­ ­ The Public can finally listen to Hank Wedel’s “Poe Park 2 AM” now on all streaming media!   https://streamondistro.lnk.to/PoePark2am   “'Poe Park 2 AM' is about my ate-night romp at the Poe Visitor’s House, Bronx, in the 1990s, hoping the legendary writer might pass the torch," says Hank.       The song’s been played in both the UK and USA, including on Larry Kirwan’s Sirius XM Radio show and Iain Anderson’s BBC show.     Hank Wedel's working with Irish producer Declan Sinnott, well known for his work with Irish folk singer legends Christy Moore and Mary Black. “Poe Park 2 AM” will be on Hank’s upcoming album, tentatively titled “The Rakes of Mallow.”  Look for a fall release. Musicians on “Poe Park 2 AM” include Mary Greene on backing vocals, Hank’s “Open Kitchen” bandmates James O'Sullivan on harmony vocals and Brian Carroll on percussion. Hank plays acoustic guitar and sings on the track with Declan on slide guitar and orchestrating all the rest in production.   Born in Dayton, Ohio (1963), Hank was raised in New York City and in Mallow, Co. Cork. Based for many years in Cork City, Ireland, the singer-songwriter-guitarist has performed thousands of gigs throughout the world, from the North Pole to Lanzarote (in the Canary Islands), from Maine to Sao Paulo and from Oklahoma to Azerbijan in The Caspian Sea.  He’s played solo and with various bands, most notably “Princes Street,” “Open Kitchen” and “Small Town Talk” Over the years, he has been a regular visitor to NYC,  performing at well-known Irish venues as well as songwriting showcase venues downtown.    Among the artists Hank’s performed with are Shane McGowan, Mary Black, Kila, Philomena Begley, Bono and Christy Moore... Christy covered Hank’s song “Listen” and made it the title track of his best selling album on Sony Records in 2009.   Hank and Irish mandolin maestro Ray Barron have reconnected live in Cork City, finally, now in the 27th year of a Monday night residency at Charlies Bar.     On St. Patrick’s Day 2002, in the wake of September 11, Hank and his band Open Kitchen were invited perform his song entitled “New Yorkers” on the Observation Deck of The Empire State Building.  In 2007, Hank made a special guest appearance on “AzeriStars,” a TV show in Baku, Azerbaijan with world-renown Mugham singer Gulyanag Mammadova singing Hank’s song, “Maiden’s Tower.”   In 2012, Hank released a single entitled "Mighty Fine." The track was his first ever digital release and it reached No. 4 on the Irish iTunes Singles Chart within two weeks of release. Hank’s 2016 album “Living In The Land of Love,” produced by Christian Best is available across all streaming platforms.   Poe Park 2AM  (Wedel) IMRO   Verse 1 Feeling' The Heatbeat of The City sittin' down on Poe's front porch Chillin' out the pulse of the city, yeah hopin' that Poe would pass the torch but the caretaker growled (get outta here!) and away we did crawl Under the gate with my guitar and 'all...       Verse 2 Strollin' down The Concourse she had her shows in her hand Strollin' down The Grand Concourse I could not understand why The Caretaker growled and away we did run. All we were doin' was havin some havin some fun...     Instrumental Break   Bridge: You know The Bronx is so battered So bloodshot so torn But Poe Park can be mellow at 2 .... in the morn!       Verse 3: Feeling' The Heatbeat of The City sittin' down on Edgar Allen Poe's front porch Chillin' out the pulse of old New York City, yeah... Hopin' that Poe would pass the torch but the caretaker growled (get outta here!) and away we did  fly... FLY...HIGH!    C Hank Wedel (IMRO)

Christmas in July: Holiday Songs for 2021

Auld Lang Syne Tony Moore  Gentle thoughtful, elderly British-sound voice, tenor,"we'll take a cup of kindness"  piano is lead instrument.  It builds into dramatic orchestral key change.  

In the Bleak MidWinter (Instrumental) Hank Wedel & Ray Barron Jr instrumental midtempo, of the classic hymn with piano, Irish bazouki, soothing concertina, guitar. 

 Away In a Manger Cindy Hulette / Stephen Melillo Gentle and Orchestral, Cindy sounds a little like Kate Bush with an orchestra and sleigh bells. 

What Child Is This  Jann Klose / Stephen Mellilo orchestra with triangle and chorus  vocal: tenor, thoughtful interpretation, slow, mysterious, and wondering interpretation. bells, the whole story of Christ in the lyrics.

Road to Bethlehem  Dan Berggren   Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem, discussing the politics of the day and the options she has for giving birth to baby Jesus. Gentle voice and acoustic guitar. 

Some Say Channukah  Dean Friedman Live Recording, a singalong with kids, that includes laughter Ha-Ha-Ha-Hannukah AND singing comments on how “Cha-NU-Kah” could be pronounced!  They sing about other seasonal customs in this fun song.

 https://soundcloud.com/deanfriedman/some-say-chanukah

Tchatchkes Latkes  Rachael Sage She sings the ingredients in this festive ditty which sounds good late night/early morning. Gypsy Oom PahPah Waltz with festive instruments.  “Onions Peppers Oy Gevalt!”  

Christmas Time Jon Mullane Upbeat! Baritone version of Adam Levine, song in the same tempo as USA for Africa’s “Do They Know it’s Christmastime” About the joys of Christmas, and getting ready for it.  

  

  

“The Time We Share” Summer Single from Hank Wedel

Hank Wedel is releasing “The Time We Share,” a perfect summer single for 2021. 

https://open.spotify.com/track/23rLwM4v20qbHadQH1W91J?si=8e8ae44cb0714f7b

Written by Hank Wedel with Brian Carroll and Ronan O’Snodaigh (Kila), the song is produced by Declan Sinnott, and will appear on Hank’s upcoming album. This production features backing vocals from Mary Greene and Ellie Shine, and saxophone from Hank’s long time Dutch musical partner Andre van der Hoff.

“The Time We Share” is the second single from Hank Wedel this year and the follow up to “Poe Park 2AM” which received extensive airplay in Ireland, The UK, Europe, and North America.

Hank Wedel was born in Dayton, Ohio, USA, in 1963. Raised in New York City and Mallow County in Cork, Ireland, he is now based in Cork. This songwriter/vocalist/guitarist/ recording artist/bandleader has performed thousands of gigs from The North Pole to Lanzarote, from Oklahoma to Azerbaijan, solo or with bands.

His regular shows have been with his bands--Princes Street, Open Kitchen, Small Town Talk, and a 25 year Monday night residency at "Charlies," in Cork City with mandolin maestro Ray Barron. Hank has performed onstage with Shane McGowan, Mary Black, Christy Moore, Kila, Philomena Begley and Bono. His song “Listen” has been covered by Ireland’s “Dylan”--Christy Moore, on the album, LISTEN.

The Time We Share
(Wedel-Carroll-O’Snodaigh)

Well it’s great to see ya
‘cos we heard you were dead
You came back to life
You got out of your bed

It’s great to see ya
or is that your ghost?
We heard ya left us
Burnt toast

I whisper nothing
sing softly on your ear
try not to cut short
the evening that’s here
Shallow as it might be
The moment is clear
I couldn’t want anything more

It’s all about the time
we share

Well it’s great to see ya
Are ya gonna stay?
Are you here for the dark night?
Are you leaving at the break of day?
It’s great to see ya
Yes, it’s true
It’s great to see ya
It’s great to be near you

It’s all about the time
we share

c2021 by Hank Wedel, Brian Carroll, Ronan O’Snodaigh, All Rights Reserved

New Music Summer 2021

The Time We Share  Hank Wedel  midtempo, friendly song, male tenor It's great to see you, we thought you were dead, hook: It's all about the time we share, reconnecting, friends reunion.  http://hankwedel.bandcamp.com

Alone Too Long  John Hall   midtempo rock with moody electric guitar, Ed Sheeran-like, “Don't stay alone too long. you might start to like it,” mentions NETFLIX, It's about coming out of isolation. friends reuniting, 

Stronger Than I Know  Teresa James   Demi Lovato Sia Bonnie Tyler pop/country-Americana, sticking to it through hard time and mentally abusive situations. Stronger than I know, stand up and fight. Make these wrongs right  http://soundcloud.com/karen-besbeck/stronger-than-i-know

One Man’s Meat  Gary Lucas & David Johansen  uptempo fierce & frenetic rock David Johansen vocals Gary Lucas guitar, wild horns.  Hamlet, the Garden of Eden, Neighborhood bully. "fish meat"  

Cognitive Dissonance Joe Deninzon, Randy McStine & Stratospheerius  male tenor vocals hard rock electric-violin & guitars People believing lies religion politics fear friendships being lost due to religious differences, hatred is taught.

I Know You’re Real  Gunhill Road   Version 1:   spoken word voice like Alex Trebeck,  Walt Whitman-esque lyrics: beams of light, be kind, respects animals without mentioning the word "animals."  treasure. “thou shalt not kill”  

Meth and the Single Girl/Angry Lady  Bronx Buffalo hip-hop, methamphetamine, meth, angry lady, drunken sailor sea shanty melody, traditional. antidrug, selfcare, friends, dumb,  Nicki Minaj-esque,  JustSayNo, darkside mindful “gimme a kiss, mwah” http://soundcloud.com/leightonmedia/meth-the-single-girl

My Name Is Africa Roeshdien Jaz  rapper with piano and soulful female singer in background, haunted by the treatment of white society to the native blacks of South Africa.  

   

2018: Flourishing Advertising Playlist

We work in the spring, and hope the season’s rebirth and optimistic attitude can saturate the world.

I have New York City shows from Hank Wedel, whose song LISTEN was covered by the great Irish folk singer, Christy Moore.

Friday, March 30: Saints & Sinners, 59-21 Roosevelt Ave., Queen

Sunday, April 1, 9 PM: Tom Clark's Treehouse at 2A, 25 Ave A (Upstairs), NYC 

Monday, April 2, 11 PM: Rockwood, 196 Allen, NYC

Sunday, April  8, 9 PM: Tom Clark's Treehouse at 2A, 25 Ave A (Upstairs), NYC 

Wednesday April 4:  The Harefiled, 769 Metropolitan Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn 

One of Hank’s recent songs is “Living in the Land of Love.”

https://hankwedel.bandcamp.com, 

My West Coast friends are invited to a Tribute to Allan Holdsworth at the Alvas Showroom in San Pedro, CA, Saturday, April 14 at 5 PM. That was Allan’s hometown venue. 

Vintage Guitar Readers chose Allan as 2017’s Featured Artist AND Jazz Player.  Scroll down at this link for a stupendous and sweet write-up for Allan’s contribution to music and also to see a gorgeous illustration by Sean Thorenson/VG Archive. http://www.vintageguitar.com/28719/2017-readers-choice-awards/.

Listen to 2018’s advertising reel either on SPOTIFY at spotify:user:leightonmedia:playlist:6Fm9lYqYlUEFjBZwYFrQsC.

 or SOUNDCLOUD at https://soundcloud.com/leightonmedia/sets/songs-for-advertising.

It's been an amazing few years working with Phoebe Legere. I came in as she was working on Americana music, which she'll be playing festivals for this year. We're on the road to confirming Maine and Ithaca. Recently I got to see her create a project from beginning to premiering in front of an audience. Her play SPEED QUEEN just finished at Dixon Place, and will be at more venues. TBA: Florida and more New York City.

AMAZING LOVE Phoebe LegereCaribbean influence. Reggae. She plays accordion on this. The song is about #Love finding her when it was most needed.

BORN BEAUTIFUL Jon Mullane 

Upbeat pop song like Maroon 5, with an important message for anyone with low esteem. What’s inside a person is more important and meaningful than outward appearances.  Recently the “Born Beautiful” video won it's fourth award from the Music California Video Awards.

FAVORITE FEELING John Brodeur

Alt pop, joyful song “I’ll stick around, this is my favorite feeling, floating in your arms” with reverb. A pop-punk version of “I’ll Melt With you.” A little “happier together”-ish interlude.

CLIMB THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN Gary Lucas

GLOGG Emily Hurd 

Classic Christmas pop music, clever lyrics like “Let’s go shovel the sidewalk in a relative sense.” There is an underpinning lyric “Because there’s wine” throughout the song. bells and electric guitar.

Listen to our Seasonal songs at: https://soundcloud.com/leightonmedia/sets/christmas-songs

Two Songs with Traditional roots:

WORRIED MAN BLUES Elliott Murphy

It takes a worried man to sing a worried blues. Sounds like Tom Waits, Sylvester the Cat, and a howling dog.

FROM EVERY MOUNTAINSIDE Dan Berggren

Same melody as “My Country ’Tis of Thee.”  This version is about fighting for liberty to keep us strong. The song takes a political stand for democracy and freedom. flute, guitar, male and alto female folk voice.

Our 2018 Flourishing Advertising Playlist

October: Songs of Kindness for Soul Moves Music

We need a little kindness, and music brings it.



ENDOMORPH (Dedicated to My Parents) Allan Holdsworth 
Vocals by Craig Copeland 

Free flowing, jazz-influenced, slow.  Allan's synthaxe and a celestial tenor play slow and enchanting:  "there was a time."  

The lyrics are about unfinished business—words never said to a love.

TOO GONE, TOO YOUNG by Hank Wedel

Hank wrote "Listen" for Christy Moore, and lives in County Cork. TOO GONE, TOO YOUNG is about a late, great friend who “always had the best boots, he really knew his leather.”  hook: “Living in the land of love.” Tempo will remind you of John Stewart’s “GOLD.” 

PARALLEL REALITY  Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius About parenting, and missing his son while he's on the road. Like a faster and heavier “High Fly” (John Miles hit). Bad ass drums. It's about how tour life is a fantasy world; a parallel existence that is fleeting. Hence the line "a fleeting kiss is all this is."   (P.S. Yes, that is Joe's son Max Deninzon that did the art work for the album!)

BEHIND THE CURTAIN  Joe Deninzon Stratospheerius

Joe is asking for an honest world, and not getting answers from public figures, corporations, politicians!  Electric violin-fueled progressive hard rock! A song that talks about the masks we all wear in public. Conspiracies! The song uses lots of “Wizard Oz” keywords: “Pay No Attention to the Man Behind The Curtain.” “Click your heels 3 times.” Similar tempo to Black Sabbath’s PARANOID.

SISTERSONG by Rachael Sage 

Imagine if all the women agreed to dialogue with one another as opposed to about one another. Keyword: "I will stay with you... I will keep you company... that's what sisters do."  A fan posts, "I used to think Ani DiFranco or Tori Amos wrote this song..."

NOBODY'S TALKING Gary Lucas & Jann Klose

Both Gary and Jann sing on this acoustic “zombies on cell-phones that short-circuit meaningful dialogue” song. Saxophone included. “J-sweet” is a technical term related to hacking using Java. P.S. How many years have we been asking our friends in the same room to talk to us, not their cellphones? 

TOUCH OF KINDNESS Elliott Murphy

Rebuilding self-esteem through kindness.  jangly guitar.  TOUCH OF KINDNESS was number one in Belgium!

Hear our expanding Holiday reel at: https://soundcloud.com/leightonmedia/sets/seasonal-christmas-hannakah 

http://anneleighton.com/soul-moves-music/