Ernie Halter will make your heart falter

Ernie Halter.  Photo by David Carlson. 

I used to be unsure of whether reincarnation actually happens or not.  But after watching Ernie Halter perform at the Tin Angel last week (when he shared a bill with Don Miggs; read my review of Miggs here), I am now convinced reincarnation is real.  In his past life, Ernie Halter was a puppy dog, a physical manifestation of lovability.  And as I watched Ernie perform, a desire to have a hardcore snuggle session with him overcame me.

When snuggling a puppy, you do so because of its cute physical appearance, which especially with his big brown eyes Ernie definitely has.  But there is more to it than that.  You also snuggle a puppy for its intangible qualities, like its friendly playfulness and its sweet carefree nature. And likewise, I didn’t want to just cuddle his body.  I wished it was possible to cuddle Ernie’s disarming personality, boyish charm, and smooth voice. 

Throughout the night, Ernie  treated us with songs from Congress Hotel and Starting Over (released in ’07 and ’08 respectively under indie label Rock Ridge Music) and with more covers than one would normally expect in a singer-songwriter set.   But on YouTube, an infinite space swarming with cover-song singers, Ernie is a respected vanguard among the endless legions of these internet fame-seekers.   So perhaps cover-songs have just naturally become a part of his repertoire, both on webcam and on stage.  

And if for whatever reason he stopped pursuing his own original music, and I surely hope he doesn’t, Ernie Halter could have one helluva career as a wedding singer. 

During his performance, the delightful human jukebox covered a wide range of artists, including Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello, Bonnie Raitt, and Baby Bash. I am not proud to admit it, but my favorite cover of the night was Ernie’s interpretation of Baby Bash’s “Cyclone,”** which is included on Starting Over.  But to my defense, it is hard to beat the funny incongruity of a sensitive and thoughtful musician soulfully belting out inane and misogynist lyrics like, “Look at that pepper on the back of that bumper/She ain’t even playin’ when she shakin that rumpa.”  Ernie Halter covering “Cyclone” is as misplaced as Hugh Hefner in a monogamous marriage or as the Jonas Brothers in a porn shop.    

Adding to the humor of this song, at the Tin Angel he explained that his cover was originally a hit on YouTube, and it became so popular that a DJ from a Phoenix radio station recorded Ernie’s version of “Cyclone” directly from YouTube and started playing it on his show.  Baby Bash caught wind of what happened and gave a friendly call to Ernie, and despite his feeling of being “uncool” when talking to the famous hip-hop artist, Ernie told us their conversation was great.  The conversation was great, that is, until the chat came to an end and Ernie bid farewell to Baby Bash by accidentally saying, “Goodbye baby.”   With no way to recover from that faux pas, Ernie quickly hung up the phone.  

Ernie playing at Phoenix Hill in Louisville, KY 7/21/07. Photo by Kevin Oatsvall.

His confession nearly had us in hysterics, as we guffawed over the extra comical layer of the song’s endearing awkwardness.  And as if our bellies didn’t ache enough from this fit of laughter, a few songs later Ernie cracked us up again by singing “Happy Birthday” to a male audience member with a dead-on Marilyn Monroe imitation. 

We enjoyed his humor.  We enjoyed his serenades.  But most of all, we enjoyed Ernie’s original music – something we evidently have in common with General Hospital fans. 

One of the opening songs Ernie performed at the Tin Angel was “Close Your Eyes and Wander,” which was featured on this soap opera when the two lovers Maxi and Spinelli had their first long-awaited intimate experience, and was again played on various episodes a few times thereafter.  It is a beautiful acoustic love song, which unfortunately is not included on either of his studio albums.

But never fear – if there’s something Ernie Halter does well, it is creating stirring love songs. 

Or stirring love-lost songs, as such was the case when Ernie switched from the guitar to the keys and performed “When the Lights Go Down,” off of his Congress Hotel album.  Without any bells or whistles, but with just his smooth voice accompanied by a few piano chords, Ernie Halter on this song superbly displays Stevie Wonder’s influence on his music while mixing in a folk singer-songwriter sensibility to make the splendid sound all his own. 

Another song not to miss on Congress Hotel is “Whisper,” where instead of pleading for a lover not to leave him as he does in “When the Lights Go Down,” he now pleads for the lover to consider taking him back.  With soft background vocals and light finger snaps both floating in and out of the song, this track takes on somewhat of an early neo-soul vibe, and is what I imagine Sade would sound like if she turned into a sensitive man who played the acoustic guitar.   

Ernie showing off his funny side at a  Halloween show in Fullerton

Ernie’s artistic versatility is displayed even more on his latest record Starting Over.  Kicking off with two rock tracks “Different Lives” and “Try,” the first has its roots in classic rock while the bluesier second probably came to life over a bottle of whiskey.  “Blue Dress” feels like Joe Cocker’s version of “You Can Leave Your Hat On” but boogies with a faster pace and a funky bass line, while “Crazy Love” sails off in completely different direction as Ernie veers his musical journey to the Caribbean.   Closing the album with the emotional piano ballad “Lighthouse,” Ernie displays his depth as an artist and as a person.

When performing “Lighthouse” towards the end of his set at the Tin Angel, I was deeply moved by the story behind the song.  After spending time in South Africa, Ernie refocused his priorities to what is truly important in life, and through the lyrics he imparts a message of “unconditional love and friendship.”  

“Unconditional love and friendship.”  Sounds like this cute guy is getting in touch with his puppy dog animal spirit.  Because like a cute guy and like a puppy dog, but more importantly as a wonderful musician and as a considerate human being, Ernie Halter will make your heart falter.   
 

 ** Ernie Halter covering Baby Bash's "Cyclone" on  YouTube: