Good Times Magazine Review- Honey On My Grave

Good Times Magazine
Westbury, NY
June 20- July 3, 2006

Abbie Gardner
Honey On My Grave
Gimmie Some Ribs Music

Gardner, last seen on these pages with her jazz release My Craziest Dream more than a year ago, returns with this solo release that’s ore akin to the sound of Red Molly, the acoustic folk trio she leads that seems to gain popularity by the day.

The vocalist’s voice is as silky as ever, bringing surprising life to some originals and covers one might not suspect would work in this type of acoustic setting.  Gardner has always had a way with a song, and her sly renditions of “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and “Hit The Road, Jack” are what we’ve come to expect from this outstanding singer.  Gardner’s own humorous “Caffeine” will resonate with every coffee lover, and the title track is so fully realized you’ll be checking the liner notes to see what blues legend wrote it- before finding it was Gardner herself.

One thing is certain: Gardner may be the finest slide Dobro player in the region today.  Her solos and melody lines are expert and melodic without being showy or overly traditional. And, as with the Red Molly and Dream releases, the recording is pristine, as are the liner notes and cover art. Gardner remains a major artist just seconds away from being discovered as a true national treasure.  Pick up on this new disc and you can tell them all you read about her here long before they jumped on the bandwagon.

For more on the artist or to purchase a copy of Honey On My Grave, log on to abbiegardner.com.  The disc is also available at CDBaby.com.

- Syl Nathan