More on the CD (& free downloads) at Joe Hurley Sites
Please visit
www.facebook.com/joehurleymusic
&
www.roguesmarch.com Hurley's Official Site

Inspired by "LET THE GREAT WORLD SPIN" the National Book Award Winning novel by COLUM McCANN. Set in 1974, NYC, the songs (lyrically co-written with McCann) tell the riveting tale of the book's extraordinary character, the prostitute Tillie.

Hurley & McCann launched the CD & Novel together, on a sold-out European tour. "Let The Great World Spin" will soon be a JJ Abrams film.

REVIEWS of The CD
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"NYC musical luminary Joe Hurley's collaboration with award-winning author Colum McCann strikes a chord with audiences across the globe.

Produced by Don Fleming and featuring an All-Star Cast of musicians, it is the latest unexpected twist in Hurley's eclectic and prolific career.

In addition to fronting two bands, Rogue's March and The Gents, he has sung and/or recorded with a wildly diverse mix of artists, including Ian Hunter, Sam Shepard, Marianne Faithfull, Shane MacGowan, Judy Collins and Jimmy Webb, PJ Harvey, Waco Bros, The Nick Drake Orchestra, Nellie McKay Steve Wynn, and many more..."
PLAYBACK MAGAZINE Cover Story

"Joe Hurley has always been a superior songwriter. He is also a singer of distinction, a great vessal of lyric poetry, a man of attitude and once upon a time a drinker of proportions epic enough to encompass visions of human grandeur in the simplest gesture of lust, punch in the face or hairline fracture of the soul.

He has drawn upon all these talents to conjure a vision of faith in the thralls of despair on this remarkable song cycle, "The House That Horse Built," based on Colum McCann's novel "Let the Great World Spin."

Hurley's cracked, gut-spilling vocals take us through the pride and degradation of a New York street prostitute "My Name Is Till (You Can Call Me Sweetcakes)", brought to ruin at The House That Horse Built, yet still capable of understanding spiritual transcendence in the wrenching hymn "Let The Great World Spin."

Somehow a vision of Philippe Petit's gravity-defying tightrope walk between the two World Trade Center buildings becomes a prayer, a metaphor of transcendance for Till, who hangs herself from the pipes in the Tombs as her method of escape from the House That Horse Built.

"I was of this earth, and I had worth," goes the chorus. McCann and Hurley make us contemplate 9/11 as the backdrop of this morality story.

The haunting music, Hurley's voice and the ethereal choir make us all root for Till as she floats away to her fate: "Let the great world spin, let me back in, let my heart swim away from the house that horse built."

JOHN SWENSON (Rolling Stone)
Co-Authour of The Rolling Stone Record Guide

"On the surface it’s a bleak tale, but the undercurrent of hope throughout is magnificent and reflected in the music."
NY POST "CD of the Week"

"A phenomena... lyrically compelling, wondrously sung and superbly produced by Don Fleming"

UK's B.O.B MAGAZINE, Nick West.


"Incredible! Joe Hurley is a brilliant songwriter and a truly charismatic performer."

PADDY MOLONEY of THE CHIEFTAINS


"He's an old seanchai in a rock star's shoes, a poet of microcosm with a steroscopic vision, a balladeer with a whole lot of landscape in his voice. He sings out from the anonymous corners where the best stories are told. Joe Hurley is one of the great songwriters of our time."

COLUM McCANN Nat'l Book Award Winner

'" The CD is great . The hook-line to the chorus is perfect !"

IAN HUNTER (Rock legend).

"New York Singer-Songwriter Joe Hurley is set to be one of the highlights of this year's Feile Festival, as his Bank Square Marquee appearance will be the first time he has performed in Belfast.
The legendary artist will be entertaining fans with his classic hits along with songs from his latest CD "The House That Horse Built" (Let The Great World Spin).

This latest release is a unique collaboration with Irish novelist Colum McCann, inspired by McCann's award-winning novel 'Let The Great World Spin'. The CD features a guest appearance by iconic troubadour Paddy Moloney of The Chieftains, highlighting Hurley's Celtic roots, while fans can enjoy the usual eclectic mix of piano ballads and stinging rock & roll ."

BELFAST NEWS (Cover Story).


"Hurley's songs are edgy, harrowing and moving, much like his muse and protagonist in this most unusual project."

NPR, Steve Rosenfeld.