ABOUT
“Longest Days, Shortest Years” is the 5th full-length studio release from singer/songwriter Kyle Hutton. The 15 song project offers a ride back to a time when you listened to a record from beginning to end, and deliberately bucks the trend of experiencing an artist through a single, or an EP. “Longest Days, Shortest Years” delivers 57 minutes of the best yet from Hutton’s pen and guitar.
“Kyle Hutton is a damn fine songwriter.”
– Ray Wylie Hubbard
The title track of the new cd, produced by Jeffery Armstreet, explores the dichotomy of time, how a minute can feel like a lifetime and a decade can pass in the blink of an eye. Hutton, a father of 3 boys and husband of 21 years, provides wise lament on this universal subject. Michael Martin Murphey joins in on the upbeat, reflective track with a cameo on guitar and vocals. “Being in the studio with Michael Martin Murphey was one of the highlights of making this record”, states Hutton, “his willingness to be involved cemented my feelings about this song being the title track”.
And it’s obvious that Hutton’s “Real Life Real Music” live shows and radio program have garnered him some new friends and fans. In addition to Murphey, Kyle is joined by a host of other performers lending their talents to his songs. Relative newcomer Haley Cole joins in on the woefully honest, yet somehow optimistic song “I’ve Loved You”. The Chubby Knuckle Choir brings their eclectic mix to “So Close to Saturday Night”, “Last Minute Austin”, and the live, unedited take of “Wingtip Shoes”, a post-depression era fable about a sharecropping family’s demise. The project also includes an unforgettable performance by Jamie Wilson who joins Kyle for the duet “What it Takes to Sing These Songs”, a piece that looks directly into the soul of the independent troubadour. Three of the songs on the project were co-written with Hutton favorites: Walt Wilkins – “What I Dreamed Last Night”, Marcus Eldridge – “So Close to Saturday Night” and his oldest son Brooks Hutton – “Wallets and Watches”.
“It’s Kyle’s best yet. His vocals, production and songwriting have outdone all of his other great works. If you love Texas History as I do, you’ll get goose bumps with “Feast of Kings” (Last Supper at The Alamo). The CD is all bout real stuff, hometowns, God fearing people and lifetime memories.”
– Mike Crow, Program Director KTFW 92.1 Hank FM
“Feast of Kings (Last Supper at the Alamo)” could very well be the jewel in this record’s crown. Based on the P.S. in William Barret Travis’ famous letter, Feast paints a vivid picture of what could have transpired within the hallowed walls. The lyrics and production combine to produce a hair-raising, goose-bump moment – in honor of an iconic piece of Texas history.
“Longest Days, Shortest Years”, as in prior releases from Hutton, continues to put the microscope on his struggles, his faith, and his efforts to find and understand redemption. “He Can” and “Staircase” paint an intimate picture of the intersection of belief, relationship and alcohol, while “Orphanage Truck” gives a first hand account of a recent trip to Haiti. These, along with the other tracks on “Longest Days, Shortest Years” provide another glimpse into the heart and mind of Kyle Hutton, and if he has his way, will leave listeners feeling a little less alone and a little more inspired.
This is a wonderful record. My favorite of Kyle’s so far; full of smart, soulful, real songs about being a full grown adult in this world of wonders & miseries.
– Walt Wilkins