Chronogram Review- Honey On My Grave

Honey On My Grave
Abbie Gardner
Abbie Gardner, 2006
July, 2006

Honey On My Grave is a bittersweet blues pattern played with a gentle hand. The easy tone and tempo come from Gardner’s consistently strong Dobro, guitar, and vocal performances. She slides and picks her way through the Fats Waller classic, “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” and growls and purrs the Ray Charles chestnut “Hit The Road, Jack.” She is personal and honest when she sings country ballads, and, here, the song “One Love” is a great example. Her sense of humor percolates in the tune “Caffeine,” a gritty tribute to everyone’s favorite addiction. Although it’s a solo disc, Gardner doesn’t do it alone. Matt Munisteri, Peter Carr, Benny Rietveld, Laurie MacAllister, and Pat Wictor play and sing alongside. Abbie Gardner is an inspired musician, whether she’s singing with her dad, jazz piano stalwart, Herb Gardner, or doing harmonies as a member of Red Molly, the powerhouse Americana trio.

Sweet but serious, Honey On My Grave ends with the classic gospel blues nugget, “You Got To Move.” In a duet, Abbie slides the Dobro with Pat Wictor, and they do Mick and Keith proud. Check out her website, www.abbiegardner.com, for liner notes and lyrics.

- J. Spica