Abbie Gardner
Country of origin:
U.S.
Type of music generally:
Own compositions are contemporary folk, folk/rock with touches of blues and funk. Her first full-length album is a collection of jazz standards.
Status:
Most recent release, Wishes on a Neon Sign (2018)
See also:
Abbie Gardner's siteSee The Ectophiles' Guide's entry for the band Abbie Gardner also plays with, Red Molly and for her duo with work Anthony da Costa
Comparisons:
Early Ani Difranco, Michelle Shocked
Covers/own material:
Own, occasional covers, occasional traditional and jazz standards
General comments:
Abbie Gardner has a strong guitar technique, solid songwriting, and a slightly nasal but lilting voice that can wring the best out of her lyrics. Her songwriting and style seems to me a kind of a cross between early Ani Difranco and early Michelle Shocked.
The lilt and energy of her jazz album make it clear was a great interpreter of songs she is. A delight to listen to! (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)
Recommended first album:
You can start anywhere
Recordings:
- Tea and a Cookie (tape only, c. 1987)
- Southern Rain (tape only, c. 1988)
- Abbie Gardner ep (1999)
- My Craziest Dream (2004)
- Honey on My Grave (2006)
- Hope (2011)
- Joyful Noise (EP with Jesse Terry, 2016)
- Wishes on a Neon Sign (2018)
Abbie Gardner ep
Release info:
1999—self-released
Availability:
See Abbie Gardner's website
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended for folkrock fans
Group members:
Abbie Gardner—guitar, vocals
Guest artists:
Herb Gardner—keyboards
Greg Smith—bass
Todd Martin—drums
Produced by:
Todd Martin & Abbie Gardner
Comments:
This 3-song demo does demonstrate the range of Abbie Gardner's talent—she can be touching, wrenching, haunting, or bluesy, or all three at different moments in one song. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)
My Craziest Dream
Release info:
2004—self-released
Availability:
See Abbie Gardner's website
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended for anyone who likes jazz standards
Group members:
Abbie Gardner—lead vocals
Guest artists:
Herb Gardner—piano, vocals
Dan Levinson—clarinet, sax
Robbie Scott—percussion
Mike Weatherly—upright bass
Comments:
I'm not usually a huge fan of jazz standards, but Abbie Gardner's fine, lively, nuanced interpretations of this material really won me over. Frequently cover albums such familiar material can feel a little lifeless or simply repeats of other people's versions. Or worse, when listening to them you feel like once you've heard one verse you know exactly what the rest of the song is going to sound like. Abbie Gardner's versions are so definitely not like that: each line she sings is alive and is just right. I found the songs commanded my attention and each verse drew out new elements in familiar songs. She's got a great sense of rhythm and the songs really swing. This album is a gem. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)
Hope
Release info:
2011—self-released
Availability:
See Abbie Gardner's website
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Abbie Gardner—vocals, National, lap steel, dobro
Guest artists:
Craig Akin—bass
Ben Wittman—drums
Beaucoup Blue (David & Adrian Mowry)—backing vocals (1)
Herb Gardner—piano (2, 3, 6, 11)
Robby Hecht—harmony vocals (2, 5, 6)
Sarah Gardner—organ (4, 7, 10, 11)
Emily Hope Price—cello (5)
Laurie MacAllister—harmony vocals (5, 6, 9, 10, 11)
Fred Gillen, Jr.—harmony vocals (10, 11)
Produced by:
Abbie Gardner
Comments:
Abbie Gardner's new album is a record that is a good showcase for her talents. Her voice is lovely yet has a strong timbre and much integrity. The rootsy sound is wonderfully made on this album. "Liar" is a particularly effective folk song with a heartrending lead vocal. The title song is a wonderfully sad yet wise tale, which she inhabits easily. "Bang Bang" is an accomplished up-tempo song with a quirky feel and a macabre lyric. This is a fabulous album all told. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Further info:
Write: Gimmie Some Ribs Music, PO Box 472, Stony Point, NY 10980, U.S.A; email abbie@abbiegardner.com
Thanks to Sophia Gurley and Anna Maria Stjäarnell for work on this entry.
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