English troubadour Gren Bartley exposes his personal thoughts, poetically and musically, allowing us an insight into his life philosophy.

INTIMATE AND PROFOUND

Appropriately, there is a real weekend feel to this intimate album as the opening track The Weekend placidly draws you in. Martin Simpson fans will love this album with its warm vocals and intricate guitar work. Gren’s vocal range is on show for Hardest Days. It is delivered in a John Martyn style as the serene vibe is maintained. As you revel in his music you get the feeling of…just keep going, don’t stop.

He has a heart on his sleeve type of songwriting, revealing his thoughts as he discovers new love in New Leaf Over through conversation. But his words are far more than mere small-talk. He clearly thinks long and hard about how to deliver his songs and even though his lyrics seem to have a lighter touch with lines like, “Maybe this all begins today, Dreaming every moment as it comes, So hold the line.” There is a profundity about his thinking.

MENDATIVE , CATCHY AND EVOCATIVE

Meditation #25 offers the chance to adopt a comfy yoga position on a soft cushion. You can let your mind float away and let the music float around you and follow the instructions. Once you have left your meditative state you can then have a song to join in. The catchy Witching Hour cheerily brings you out of your reverie. The accomplished guitar work and the harmonica accompaniment enhance the music.

His guitar work has the lightest of touches. The vocals have a chanty feel revealing his singing versatility for The Thief And I. All too soon we reach his final track; Time Lays Flowers. The title evocative enough, this is one those songs where the lyrics are open to personal interpretation and not try to read the writer’s mind. The line, “While we’re beating thunder in our hearts,” can be seen in so many ways!

One gets the feeling in these songs that Gren is trying to communicate on a one to one level or even self-contemplation, such is the level of intimacy. Rather like those sessions where you shut yourself in a room, get your guitar out, sing your favourite songs undisturbed and while away an hour or so. However, you’ll be pleased Gren has chosen to share these songs.

Here’s a flavour of Gren’s music:

Gren Bartley: Website

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