Circular Road ~ Neil Gardner

Review in Drumbeat, 2002

A year or so ago I profiled veteran singer-songwriter Neil Gardner in Drumbeat. The profile was prompted by the release of Neil's first album in a decade, Star-Crossed Plovers. Gardnerphiles will undoubtedly be pleased to learn that a follow-up CD is now available. Engineered and produced by old friend Mike Raine, it is a lovely, often wistful recording and, in my view, the best thing Neil has done to date (Ginger Mixture notwithstanding).

As the title implies, Circular Road is a varied (but still cohesive) mix of material from all phases of Neil's musical evolution. It includes a number of affectionate tributes to key influences. 'Penny' and 'Life will never pass her by' instantly evoke Sergeant Pepper; 'Isobel' and the exquisite 'River Song' recall Donovan. There is dash of Noel Coward in 'Animal Babies', while 'Living in Denial' is full-on, gleeful rock 'n' roll. There is even a fleeting tribute to the Kweskin Jug Band in 'Rainy Day'. Elsewhere, 'My Grandfather's Horses' and 'A Day by the Sea' are gentle paeans to a childhood spent in the Circular Head district.

Circular Road eloquently celebrates Neil Gardner's skill and expertise as songsmith – and, also, Mike Raine's virtuosity and inventiveness as producer and multi-instrumentalist. For me, two tracks stand out above the rest: the poignant yet anthemic 'Friendship Song' and a new recording of a Gardner perennial, 'Marianne'. ('Marianne' originally concluded Neil's 1971 LP, Anthem for Wednesday). Mike dresses up this new version with a heartbreakingly simple string and keyboard arrangement. The result is magical.

–  reviewed by Malcolm J. Turnbull

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last updated by mikko; 21 April, 2002