Set Me Free by Jackson Hawke: A Classic Rock Gem That Still Shines
Alright, let’s talk about Set Me Free, the 1977 rock album from Canadian artist Jackson Hawke. If you’re into that raw, unfiltered classic rock sound, this one’s a keeper. Produced by Bob Gallo (yeah, the dude knew his stuff), it came out on Columbia Records and has been quietly sitting in the “underrated” corner of music history ever since. Time to give it some love!
The album kicks off with "Done Done," a track that grabs your attention right away. It’s got this gritty guitar riff that feels like an old friend—familiar but still exciting. The lyrics? Simple, sure, but they hit hard. You can almost picture Hawke spilling his guts in a dimly lit studio, pouring everything he’s got into those vocals. It’s not overly polished, which is kinda why I dig it. Feels real. Feels human.
Then there's the title track, “Set Me Free.” Man, if this doesn’t scream 70s rock, I don’t know what does. It starts with this slow-burning intro—just enough to make you lean in—and then BAM, the drums crash in like a wave. There’s something about the way Hawke sings the chorus; it sticks to your brain like gum under a table. Like, days later, you’ll catch yourself humming it while brushing your teeth. And isn’t that the mark of a great song? When it sneaks up on you when you least expect it?
Now, here’s the thing about Set Me Free: it’s not trying to reinvent the wheel. What makes it special is how honest it feels. This was 1977, folks—a time when rock wasn’t all fancy production tricks and auto-tune. It was just guys (and gals) making noise because they had something to say. Or maybe they didn’t, and that’s cool too. Sometimes it’s just about the vibe, ya know?
Oh, fun fact: Jackson Hawke hails from Canada. Not exactly the first place you think of when it comes to classic rock legends, but hey, guess what? They’ve got talent up there too! Who knew?
So yeah, Set Me Free might not be perfect, but honestly, that’s part of its charm. It’s messy, heartfelt, and packed with energy. Listening to it feels like finding a dusty vinyl at a garage sale and realizing it’s gold.
Final thought? If aliens ever invade Earth and demand we hand over our best example of 70s rock, I’d throw this album their way. Then again, they might just blast us with laser beams for giving them something so… well, human. Worth a shot though, right?
