In late 1981 Paul Brady released ‘Hard Station’, the first album of his own songs. Stylistically and substantively radically different to his previous 1978 album, a collection of traditional Irish songs and tunes called  ‘Welcome Here Kind Stranger’, it came as a total surprise to the music media of the day. 

Although Paul’s live audience over the previous few years knew he was writing songs in a contemporary style, and while there had been a hint of a major change in late 1980 when he released an earlier recording of ‘Crazy Dreams’ and toured Ireland with an electric band, the media were still not prepared for the arrival of ‘Hard Station’. 

At first a slow burner, by the end of 1981 it had garnered many positive reviews and was one of the best selling albums of the year, launching Paul onto a whole new international career path.

Over the next decades, Hard Station’s reputation grew as the album became recognised as an Irish musical masterpiece and a classic of the genre. Originally on vinyl and cassette, it was only available on Cd from the 90s onwards as that format dominated.

But now, it gives us great pleasure to announce the arrival of a newly mastered vinyl album. Do yourself a favour and enjoy this new pressing of one of Ireland’s iconic albums from one of the country’s greatest artists!