Written by: Valerie Travers 16-Aug-2006

A Time For New Beginnings

Brian Gladstone is a brilliant guitarist and a unique songwriter, his psychedelic-folk style having roots in the influence of Gordon Lightfoot, Peter, Paul and Mary and Bob Dylan, all of whom Gladstone, lists as influences. His natural storytelling talent has been compared to that of John Prine. Recently his work has featured, appropriately enough, on the BBC series “It’s Not Easy Being Green”.

This album, although titled “A Time for New Beginnings” seems to hark back to the trippy 60s folk scene, for instance with the lyrics “Show me a peace sign, Help me to be free” in the song “The Flags of Freedom” , the connection between nature and love in “A Year in the Valley” and the inspiring “Song For Everyone” encompassing those who are underdogs and those that care. “He’ll sell you Mom and apple pie/A new car wannabe/Doesn’t like reality/He’ll sell you anything you want to be” complains Gladstone in “Wally’s Pre-Owned Automobiles” perhaps he’s referring to a different kind of spin? But overall the album has an optimistic outlook – “Let it come your way/Every day can be a sunny day” he tells us.

Whilst Brian Gladstone’s throaty vocals may take a bit of getting used to, this album features some beautiful guitar work, especially in "Mr Pick-Quick's Polka", and will leave you feeling more relaxed, loved-up and wiser. Cool, man!