John Wesley Harding - John Wesley Harding’s New Deal
On this weeks episode, we discuss an LP by John Wesley Harding (né Wesley Stace), 1996’s John Wesley Harding’s New Deal.
After releasing two EPs and three full length albums with a full band for Sire Records, Harding decided to strip down his sound for his debut on his new label Forward Records (an imprint of Rhino Records). Harding much preferred the intimacy of acoustic live performances and created an album that embraced that aesthetic whole heatedly. Described by Harding as “gangsta folk,” John Wesley Harding’s New Deal is a beautiful record and a fan favorite. It was the first time Harding had the freedom to make the record he always wanted to make. The song arrangements are simple and direct, putting the focus of the lyrics., which are both sly and whimsical, and full of British charm. And as an added bonus, the album even includes a fantastic sequel of sorts to The Kink’s “Waterloo Sunset.”
Recommended on this episode: The Good Lyre - Songs Of John Wesley Harding by Various Artists.
THINGS WE DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE
John Wesley Harding, circa1991.
For his first two albums, John Wesley Harding’s back up band was the Good Liars, which included the rhythm section of the Attractions - Pete Thomas and Bruce Thomas.
The Good Liars Pictured (L to R): Kenny Craddock, Pete Thomas, John Wesley Harding, Bruce Thomas, and Steve Donnelly
John Wesley Harding had just finished recording his full length debut for Sire, Here Comes the Groom ,when the label asked him if he’d contribute to their upcoming Roky Erickson tribute album: Where the Pyramid Meets the Eye
He agreed and recorded a version of “If You have Ghosts” from Rocky’s 1981 album The Evil One and even shot a video for the song.
Here is John Wesley Harding performing “Wreck of the Highway” off of the Bruce Springsteen LP The River with Springsteen.
Harding also became the first person to open for Springsteen since 1978 when he does so for two shows in Berkley during the Ghost of Tom Joad tour.
Here is John Wesley Harding performing “Kiss Me Miss Liberty” from John Wesley Harding’s New Deal.
John Wesley Harding (Wesley Stace) performs “In Paradise” including the “Waterloo Sunset” lyrics at The Orchard House Concert in March of 2025.
