Ned Roberts – From The Reels 2012-2020
Independent – 5 March 2021
Guitarist and songwriter Ned Roberts may be based in London, but his spirit thrives in the Laurel Canyon. His latest album, From The Reels 2012-2020 is a collection of unreleased outtakes from Roberts’ eponymous debut, his 2017 follow up Outside My Mind, and 2020’s Dream Sweetheart. It’s a gorgeous selection of songs, some recognisable to those who have Roberts’ earlier albums, but equally a fine introduction to those unfamiliar with his name.
The plan for the album was simple. As Roberts’ himself states: “I had planned to flesh out some of these tunes hut listening back to these outtakes I realised they have a greater intimacy in their pared down state. It’s agonising to leave songs off albums – perhaps they don’t fit the mood of that particular record, perhaps they break the flow. But I’ve always believed in these songs, and I was excited to realise how well they work together on an album.”
And quite right he was. The 10 tracks on the album are authentically touching in their intimacy. With a focus on the song, Roberts’ voice, and some effortless accompaniment the arrangement allows his talent to flourish.
‘Ring of Stones’ is an effective and transfixing opener. It’s a confident start, focusing on Roberts’ voice before it is accompanied by some unobtrusive, yet, effective, guitar. It demands your ears and heralds what is a delightful and thoroughly captivating listen.
‘Held On As Long As We Could’ effortlessly recalls Nick Drake at his finest. It’s a beautifully melancholic love song, a heartfelt, and sincere song. Roberts has a genuinely accomplished way with melodies and words.
The folk-inspired ‘Dark Brown Eyes’ is bittersweet, with an echo of Dylan in its poetry. It makes superb use of the Scottish ballad ‘Barbara Allen’. Similarly, the haunting ‘Slower than the sea’ features Joe Harvey-Whyte on pedal steel and takes us on a meditative journey, whilst Noah Hatfield’s cello colours ‘Bound to Fall’ with a pensive, elegiac sound. “It’s so easy to romanticise; Lights across the bay; Catch a boat over the sea; Catch a boat to Spain” sings Roberts’ in a song that echoes the best acoustic song writing of 70s LA.
‘Old Folk Song’ finds Roberts’ on harmonica in a song that fits gorgeously with ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’. It takes a confident hand, to play with such a familiar tune. Roberts’ does this with style.
‘The Drinker’ creates a potent image. With Luther Russell on piano, Jason Hiller on double bass, and Eli Pearl on pedal steel the song narrates the tale of the lonely girl in a bar and ponders on her story. Roberts has a talent for imagery, creating a powerful picture with a few deft strokes.
Closer, ‘The Songbird’ is delivered live. “Do you remember how we met in the depths; The morning mist always rose; Oh, I remember how we sang, and we danced; The night held its head in its hands” sings Roberts. Rest assured this album will linger with you.
In the past, Roberts’ has been compared to the aforementioned Drake, Tim Hardin, even James Taylor, but he is his own man. With a warm, idiosyncratic voice, combined with a talent for song writing Roberts’ has a formidable gift. The combination of both creates a timeless, entrancing sound.
From The Reels 2012-2020 is a delightfully, warm, intimate, and genuinely stunning listen. Effortlessly evocative the album reinforces Roberts as a true rising star. I, for one, will be following his career with much anticipation. Beautiful.
Available from Bandcamp and all Streaming Platforms from 5 March.
Online Launch Show: Facebook Thursday 11 March 2021 at 8pm –