Share the post "Album review: THE GARDENING CLUB – The Riddle"
Advance copy [Release date: tbc] www.martinspringett.com
The Gardening Club’s debut album dating back to 1983 is something of a minor prog classic.
Canadian illustrator and musician Martin Springett, English expat and absorber of distinctly English prog stylings, has now unleashed his latest opus. In the 35-year hiatus Martin hasn’t exactly been inactive, pursuing his design work and releasing the occasional album or EP.
The Riddle may lack the original album’s consistency but nevertheless there is much to like here. The overall vibe brings to mind a pop prog band like Deckchair Poets and – for example – their album ‘Who Needs Pyjamas’.
Springett’s vocals on the other hand remind of Dave Cousins and indeed latter-day Strawbs is another musical reference point. The album is a definite grower with tracks such as the catchy ‘Whirled Away’ and the sub-Level 42 ‘Waltz’ with bassist Sean Drabitt leading the fray.
Perhaps what is lacking – given the musical talent on offer – is a more extended workout, and in that sense the album belies its prog pretentions with no track longer than four and a half minutes. ‘Blues For Richard’ for example is an all-too-short fusion instrumental followed up by the even shorter ‘Leaving Home’. Ditto there is an excellent (unnamed) instrumental as track 15.
This time round most lyrics are supplied by Canadian poet Cyril McColgan and there is a feeling in places that the integration of lyrics and music is not as natural as it might be. This sometimes happens with poems set to music.
Martin receives sterling support on the album from multi-instrumentalist Norm Macpherson (and Norm’s son James on drums and synthesiser) and as previously the liner is sumptuously illustrated by Springett himself. Like the original album, well worth investigating. ***1/2
Review by David Randall
David Randall presents ‘Assume The Position’ on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio every Sunday at 22:00 GMT.
Album review (The Gardening Club, reissue)
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Latest session: Sunday 14 April
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 April 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 2 April 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 15 April 2024
ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)
To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account
Popular (last 10 days)
Share the post "Album review: THE GARDENING CLUB – The Riddle"
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
