CMR Nashville Radio (UK)
Someone Else's Time
Boronda Records 0002
"In this world of bang-crash pop records masquerading as country it is refreshing to hear an act like this – they are the real deal."
Stuart Cameron
www.folkworld.eu/news/radio/html
Someone Else's Time
Boronda Records 0002
"Everyone associates Liverpool with the Beatles; however, not many people are aware that the city on the Mersey is also home to one of the best old time americana bands in Europe – The Good Intentions. It is exactly this authenticity, as if it had originated back in the states, which is to be heard on Peter Davies and Gabrielle Monk’s ‘Someone Else’s Time’. The 11 songs, all from the strings of Peter Davies’ guitar, are played in with their many band mates and one or two American friends. In ‘Coal Miner’s Lament’ and in the album’s booklet Davies creates a highly personal testimony to families. For ‘Someone Else’s Time’ the Good Intentions collected the British Country Award and following this were named ‘Best Americana Act of the Year 2011"
PopMatters.com
(IL,
US)
Someone Else's Time
Boronda Records 0002
"I know No Depression has morphed from a late, great magazine to a thriving online community, but it just ain’t the same. For one thing, the two guys and a gal who make up the British trio the Good Intentions will never get a 'Town and Country' write-up in the venerable alt-country mag, and their classicist take on the last fifty years of country would’ve made a perfect fit, too (the band recently won 'Americana Act of the Year' at the 2011 British Country Music Awards). Led by thistle-sharp songwriter Peter Davies, the trio tackles all the classic country/folk tropes — trains, booze, fatalistic coal miners, the devil — with a keen, writerly eye. With a rich sound full of pedal and lap steel guitars, mandolins, fiddles, accordions and warm harmonies, courtesy of band mates Gabrielle Monk and Francesco Roskell, plus nearly a dozen musical friends, Davies runs the gamut from clever wordplay ('Dying on the vine was never the plan' goes the gently swinging 'Everybody Loves A Drinking Man') to hopeful truth ('Western Lullaby‘s' - 'At the end of every journey is a place that you belong') with an organic quality and a sincerity that never feels like shtick (unlike, say, fellow travelers Blanche). Honest, true and plainspoken, 'Someone Else’s Time' is the kind of album that deserves to find an appreciative post-No Depression audience."
Stephen Haag
The
Daily Telegraph, November 21st, 2011
Someone Else's Time
Boronda Records 0002
”Another
example of fine musicianship comes from The Good Intentions with their classy
country album Someone Else's Time. The well-constructed songs are written
by R. Peter Davies and he takes the lead in the three-part harmony songs ably
backed by Gabrielle Monk (who also plays autoharp) and Francesco Roskell.
The Good Intentions are from Liverpool and the album was part-recorded there and in Los Angeles. It was produced by Rick Shea, who also plays pedal steel, dobro and mandolin, and there is a stellar group of musicians on the album, including Brantley Kearns (fiddle player for Dwight Yoakam), the excellent Eric Brace of Last Train Home and David Jackson on doghouse bass and accordion.
The band won the 2011 Best Americana Award at the British Country Music Association
and you can see why with subtle and impressive songs such as Coal Miner's
Lament, Lonely Train and Send The Devil Back To Hell."
Martin Chilton
Maverick
Magazine, September 2011
Someone Else's Time
Boronda Records 0002
Quality British Country / Americana
”There
have been numerous UK acts that have tried to master Americana music with
some kind of credibility over the past few years, but only a handful has succeeded.
You can add to this small minority Liverpool-based the Good Intentions. This
three-piece has been together since 2003, but as singers and musicians individually
they have many years experience under their belts. And it shows in the quality
of the songwriting, the subtle, understated and inventive musical arrangements
and the sheer quality of the lo-fi production. This is their second album
and it was recorded partly in Liverpool, Los Angeles and Nashville with production
handled by veteran West Coast musician Rick Shea.
The band comprises R. Peter Davies (vocals, acoustic guitar), Gabrielle Monk
(harmony vocals, autoharp) and Francesco Roskell (harmony vocals, acoustic
guitar, banjo). They are augmented here by Shea (acoustic guitar, pedal steel,
mandolin, Dobro), David Jackson (doghouse bass, accordion), Dave Raven (drums),
Bradley Kearns (fiddle) and Eric Brace (backing vocals).
The whole
album has a low-key approach with softly strung acoustic instrumentation and
gorgeous harmonies creating a sound that could perhaps best be described as
contemporary Gram and Emmylou. The songs, all penned by Davies are of a uniformly
high standard, which makes it difficult to pick out any highlights. This is
one of those albums that gently washes over you, drawing you in and engulfing
you in the overall vibe. From the opening Gone So Long a song of longing with
a stunning arrangement and exquisite harmonies through to the honky-tonk of
Everybody Loves A Drinking Man and the superb Lonely Train, a well-written
yarn that involves the listener with haunting fiddle and atmospheric Dobro
interplay. Send The Devil Back To Hell is a dark, gospel-flecked number with
a bluegrass-flavoured arrangement featuring banjo, Dobro and fiddle and powerfully
understated vocals.
This is a quality country album that ticks all the right boxes … don’t
take my word for it, rush out and buy. You will be pleasantly knocked out
by it from beginning to end.”
Alan Cackett
Wildy's World - wildysworld.blogspot.com (NY)
Someone Else's Time
"Liverpool trio The Good Intentions are born of the blend of folk, Americana and bluegrass. Husband and wife team R. Peter Davies and Gabrielle Monk are joined by longtime friend Francesco Roskell, blending their instruments and voices with the help of friends from both Nashville and Los Angeles on their latest album, Someone Else's Time.
The album is a solid, lovely listen from start to finish. The interplay of instruments and voices on Someone Else's Time is truly worth tuning in for, yet the album is so subtly crafted and well-blended that those who do not listen carefully will let it pass as pleasant background and nothing more. Opening with melancholy "Gone So Long", The Good Intentions paint subtle pictures with a broad musical brush. This approach continues unabated throughout the album. It's difficult to point out true highlights on the album, as the sound, approach and quality are utterly consistent throughout. The swaying feel of "Everybody Loves A Drinking Man" is notable, but otherwise you need to really dig into the consistently excellent musicianship and gloriously blended voices of The Good Intentions."
LonesomeHighway.com
Someone
Else's Time
"This Liverpool based trio have recorded their second album
in their hometown and in Los Angeles. It was produced by the experienced hand
of Rick Shea and recorded by Dave Raven (with others), both who play on the
album alongside a set of players including David Jackson, Brantley Kearns,
Wyman Reese and Eric Brace. Key to their sound are the balanced harmonies
of Gabrielle Monk, Francesco Roskell and songwriter R. Peter Davies who together
make up The Good Intentions. The songs have a warmth and depth that touches
on simpler, but no less difficult, times as witnessed by songs such as Coal
Miner's Lament, Send The Devil Back To Hell and Dark Stranger. Though the
songs tell their stories in a way that is captivating and rewarding. The playing
and production enhance that overall mood and give the songs an acoustic based
sound that is rhythmically driven by a tasteful upright bass and drum foundation.
The fiddle, banjo, acoustic guitar melodies are bolstered by keyboards and
steel guitar. All of which makes for a very appealing and repeat listening
experience of assured Anglo/Americana folk-country. Davies' songs are all
strong enough for him to find a place alongside some of the better contemporary
songwriters currently and will please those who make the effort to look out
this accomplished trio who highlight that there is much on offer in this area
outside of the US. Someone Else's Time all round it's time well spent."
Country
Chart.com
Someone
Else's Time
Boronda Records
"Liverpool,
England is known worldwide for its musical heritage, and the folk country
band The Good Intentions are near-perfect musical ambassadors with the new
album "Someone Else's Time." But from the evidence presented in
the 11-song album, it is clear that the project should have been called "Our
Time" That's because The Good Intentions star shines bright on their
seemingly mistitled album "Someone Else's Time."
A famous quote says that the road to hell is paved with good intentions, but
the opposite is true for the Liverpool band members who named themselves The
Good Intentions who have the sound of modest angels sent from heaven to bestow
beautiful music to the world. In most cases, praise like this would be over-the-top
and undeserved, but no so here. The Good Intentions begin the album with the
quiet but masterful folk track "Gone So Long," which will have Americana
radio program managers squealing with delight. The elegant production and
laid-back cut will perfectly suit folk and Americana radio and could find
country fans as well.
The first thing that needs to be understood about The Good Intentions is that the band is not flashy and does not screech or get too excited. However, the music - like the second song "Black Train" - is infectious. "Black Train" has a bluegrass and folk sound that is upbeat - but not too fast. In short, it's just right. The ever-tasteful band The Good Intentions push the envelope slightly with the remarkably memorable (and hummable) "Everybody Loves A Drinking Man," which could be a hit on both on BBC Radio 2 in the UK and a few different Americana and folk channels on Sirius XM in the USA.
The dark "Coal Miner's Lament" is sung with reverence, and the track provides evidence of the band's musical heroes, such as Gillian Welch. The best song on the album is the fast-paced "The Cold Wind," which is a surprise featuring superb instrumentation and excellent vocal performance skills. The sixth song, "Dark Stranger," arrives at the album's midpoint and will have folk fans rejoicing. The track showcases The Good Intentions beautiful vocal harmonies. "Oh My Darling" has much of the same charm, and listeners will get lost in the euphoric feeling in their hearts as the music helps conjure up memories of the past as they sing of "springtime."
The album takes on a more serious tone with "Lonely Train," and the imagery created by the lyrics paints a vivid picture: "The bells from the wildwoods still chime down the line as I wait for the train." The theme of death again surfaces in a major way with "Send The Devil Back To Hell," which is a very slow and somber song that oozes sincerity. However, the intense lyrics and stark title could actually make the song a hit for either a heavy metal band or even a contemporary Christian rock band.This is only notable because well-written songs are artistic works that can be interpreted in various ways, and that's the case here. Thankfully, sweeter sounds reemerge on the easy-going country song "Western Lullaby," which is well-served by its top-notch production, and the song could get radio action. The album ends perfectly with the folk track "The Sound Of Time Passing," which is a warm and fuzzy cut that leaves the listener full of hope and goodwill.
The album "Someone Else's Time" by The Good Intentions is a remarkably self-assured and confident album that deserves attention for its quiet but potent delivery. However, the powerful lyrics and melodic choruses will have you returning to the album time and time again. The Good Intentions talked about time passing in the final track, and country, folk and Americana aficionados should make sure that at least some of their time and "someone else's time" - like friends and family - is spent listening to this surprisingly accomplished and intellectually honest recording."
Americana
Gazette
Someone Else's Time
Boronda Records
”The Good Intentions are a fantastic band out of England that has got the Americana thing down pat! Husband and wife team Peter Davies and Gabi Monk along with friend Francesco Roskell make up the Good Intentions. This is their second CD and it is a wonderful sophomore presentation. You can tell how good an artist or band is by their second album. They have their whole life up until that point for their first effort and a much much shorter time for their second. The Good Intentions have raised the bar for second albums.
This album is much more Bluegrass flavored than their first, which is not a bad thing. England seems to be going thru a Bluegrass awakening in the last few years. This album fits right in with that movement and a whole lot more. The authentic instrumentation and old timey feeling of this CD harkens back to a simpler time. You can imagine yourself sitting on a grand porch on a cool summer's evening drinking sweet tea smelling the flowers in bloom, and hearing the evening's summer creatures emerging from their hot days rest to bring the night alive with their voices and songs.
There is not a bad song on this CD!!! They are all fantastically written and played. Peter Davies wrote all of these songs and deserves to be mentioned as a songwriter in the same breath as, Phil Lee, John Prine, and Kevin Welch as top Americana writers today. Davis has caught the elusive "element" that makes a writer a step above his peers. His simplicity in choosing chord progressions and melody's really makes these songs come alive. Gabi's harmonies are as wonderful as Emmylou Harris's on the Gram Parson albums of the early 70's.
My favorite songs on the album are Everybody Loves a Drinking Man, Coal Miner's Lament, Send the Devil Back to Hell, and the Sound of Time Passing. All are wonderfully written and orchestrated. Hat's off to Rick Shea for the absolutely beautiful mandolin parts on this project. Roskell and Eric Brace add fantastic harmonies on the songs which give them that added textures so often forgotten in today's music.
Hat's off to the Good Intentions!!! They hit a homerun here!!! Hopefully this CD will give them the exposure they deserve both in Europe and in America!!! Please make every effort to find this and their last CD and add them to your collection. It is great to see wonderfully nice people get the credit they deserve for the hard work they put into their craft. Davies, Monk, and Roskell along with the name The Good Intentions should become a household word in the Americana and music world. They have earned it!”
Andy Ziehli
Folkworld.eu
Someone
Else's Time
Boronda Records
“The last album in this review comes from a group called The Good Intentions. The album is called Someone Else’s Time. Although based in the UK, the band plays Americana influenced acoustic folk-rock. Easy going songs with a happy feeling. Uncomplicated playing by this trio and the backing musicians. This band have shown a lot of progress since their debut album. The harmony vocals are much better, the music shows more variety and the band sounds relaxed. It’s open minded, very accessible Americana that won’t bother anybody and is very suitable to entertain a big audience."
A&A #331 reviews
Someone
Else's Time
Boronda Records
“This British act has been nominated as americana act of the year for the British Country Music awards. That says something about the global nature of the sound. And more than a little about this band, which plays accomplished songs with style and grace. There is stellar writing and playing on this album. Very nice." http://www.thegoodintentions.co.uk
Americana
UK
Someone
Else's Time
Boronda Records
“Simple heartfelt tunes delivered with panache...highlights are the aching Coal Miner’s Lament, with its stately pace and crystal production, and Lonely Train, another example of some gorgeous harmonics...good work.”
Midwest
Record (Entertainment,
News and Reviews, IL, US)
Someone
Else's Time
Boronda Records
"The
goddamn Brits did it again, took our music and sold it back to us taking it
up a notch along the way. This Liverpool trio makes compelling Americana/folk
that epitomizes the low key/lo fi sound that hooks you right out of the box.
The kind of stuff that Back Porch Records would still be in business if they
made in the first place, this is first class adult listening for adults of
all ages whether worrying about mortgages or wanting to feel sophisticated
while studying for exams. Classically folk without being dated or dusty, this
is the real deal that's simply going to blow you away.
A winner."
Ctrl
Alt Country (Belgium)
http://www.ctrlaltcountry.be/Pagina1.htm#GoodIntentions
"Someone Else's Time" sound like they it was even half a century ago, that they first saw the light of day. Stateside, that is! Because make no mistake especially, despite the British base of the trio Davies, Monk, and Roskell, this one-on-top and American-style product!
Its a fantastic production job that "Old Faithful"
Rick Shea performed here! He and his buddy Brantley Kearns also signed up
for contributions to the acoustic, pedal steel, dobro, mandolin and fiddle.
And then the renowned Eric Brace from Last Train Home lent
a hand with the
vocals, David Jackson worked his "doghouse bass" and accordion and
Dave Raven saw it all happen from behind
his drum kit.
Some actual listening tips: to you from the beginning
this may be very familiar sounding, but a closer listening gives you insight
into how original these songs are, and there are plenty to sing along with,
such as old-time country "Oh My Darling", the hushed Americana special
"Lonely Train" and certainly living up to its title- "Coal
Miner's Lament". The latter is in our opinion a real classic in the making!”
Rocktimes
(Germany)
http://www.rocktimes.de
“Although "Someone Else's Time 'is not intrusive, the disc is absolutely
timeless. The Good Intentions make calm and relaxed country and folk, and
remain true to the atmosphere created by them, they are of persuasive nature.
"Everybody Loves A Drinking Man" could well be a great radio success
for TGI. With "Someone Else's Time," the listener is left hoping
for another album.”
Roots
Highway (Italy)
http://www.rootshighway.it
“The album has a handful of sweet and subdued ballads, in which elements of folk, old time, and bluegrass (from Coal Miner's Lament to A Lonely Train , they all have the country leitmotif) follow the old school sound with devotion.”
Corazon de Rock'n'Roll
Someone
Else's Time
Boronda Records
"English and Irish traditional music is one of the main influences of folk and American country. The migrants brought their songs and then over the years and respective generations of musicians, along with blues, rock & roll and other influences, brought us roots nusic. There has always existed in Britain a consistent scene and a good market for this type of music. Even with the relative commercial success of the genre in recent years, there have been several British bands that have joined the cast of the outstanding. They could include, for example, Alan Tyler & The Lost Sons Of Littlefield, The Redlands Palomino Company or from Liverpool, The Good Intentions. They formed in 2003 after evolving through various different bands, they are musicians and vetreranos, and read on their website that have won multiple awards and are now a band that are considered both in UK and U.S. I have just discovered this his second album. Acoustic gorgeous, invokes the smell wet grass, overcast skies, broken by the brilliance of the sun, a fresh apple pie and horses grazing in the meadows. The vocal work is precious, a wonderful blend of male and female voices. Touches of folk, country and bluegrass songs ideal for those evenings of autumn and winter ahead. Listen to "Everybody Loves A Drinking Man," "Gone So Long" and "Black Train", the depth of "Coal's Miner Lament", the crystalline beauty of "Cold Wind" or the accented blues of "Send The Devil Back To Hell. "
Rock
and Reprise.net (US)
Someone
Else's Time
Boronda Records
“Someone Else's Time is right. I hear so many influences from the past that I'm thinking they could not have named the album better. Throughout the album, The Good Intentions put out music which could easily have been recorded by The Weavers, The Carter Family, Peter Paul & Mary and even (my favorites) The Chuckwagon Gang. Put any of the tracks on this album on a retrospective album of the forties and fifties and they would fit in seamlessly. And let me tell you, that ain't easy to do.
For one thing, recording techniques have advanced so far that you play hell to get the sound of the old studios. Leave it up to the evil geniuses (geneii?) of the Recording Academy of Hard Knocks to do it, though. After passing the tracks through the hands of Dave Raven (Mojo Monkeys' resident academician), Scott Poley and Graham Seaman, not to mention the final hurdle of mix/master Paul du Gre, you might think that at least one of them would have amped it up enough or added layers enough to bring the music into the present, but not so. It is testament to everyone who worked on Someone Else's Time that they kept the sound as simple and clear as it was intended to be.
This album takes me back to my childhood when life was simpler and people were in touch with the land and each other. When country and bluegrass did not mean cranking up the banjo or plugging in the electric guitar. When the voices echoed the sentiment of the song. When religion was not something to be feared or hated. When careers were a sideline to life. When neighbors were more than people who just lived next to one another or down the street. When Shrimp Boats was on Hit Parade.
Credit for the overall feel goes to lead Intention R. Peter Davies for his exceptional songwriting and sparse voice. I know! Who would ever think that a critic would be praising someone for not having a powerful vocal presence, but I have to tell you that a stronger voice would have destroyed these songs. They are butterflies through time, beautiful reflections of a simpler and softer era. When you mix Davies' voice with those of Gabrielle Monk and Francesco Roskell, you not only hear but feel that era.
If this isn't roots music, I don't know what is. They're my roots anyway. If I didn't know better, I would think them discoveries from the past, remixed and remastered by experts who really cared about the music. And even though I do know better, I think I'll think of this album that way anyway. It deserves it. And you know what? If the highways were paved with The Good Intentions, our roads would be in a hell of a lot better shape.”
Frank O. Gutch Jr.
Sam
Pierre Blog (France)
Someone
Else's Time
Boronda Records
“Whatever the source, this is a question of authentic Americana, and the road from Liverpool to Los Angeles has been beautifully paved by good intentions. We are in an acoustic environment based on guitars, banjo and autoharp. Eleven ballads, all from the pen of R Peter Davies, take us travelling in a bygone era, like the beautiful old family sepia photographs that illustrate the CD booklet.”
Keys
and Chords (Netherlands)
Someone
Else's Time
Boronda Records
“Just
listening to some songs is enough for you to feel deserted highways or moving
trains while passing by vast landscapes. With songs about trains, coal mines
and cold winds, your mind wanders off into the timeless Americana in which
the spirit of country pioneers haunts.
The trio is built around R. Peter Davies, who wrote all the songs. The tender,
clear harmony vocals by Gabrielle Monk and Francesco Roskell stand out in
ballads like Oh My Darling and Everybody Loves A Drinking Man, reminding the
listener at times of Gram Parsons with Emmylou Harris and more recently of
Gillian Welch, vocally assisted by Dave Rawlings. That relationship has undoubtedly
something to do with the presence of session musicians like Brantley Kearns,
fiddle player to Dwight Yoakam, and producer Rick Shea, of Dave Alvin's Guilty
Men, who subtly accents pedal steel and dobro.
Timeless and subtle record in the spirit of the pioneers, with country songs
inspired by coal mines, and endless travelling on railroads and lonely highways.”
Billy
Bop (Belgium)
Someone
Else's Time
Boronda Records
“Drenched
in old Americana music, The Good Intentions bring... a collection of songs
that dates back to the time of your ancestors.
Old – time music from bluegrass, hillbilly to plain folk songs are recorded
for your pleasure on this album.
If you
are a fan of Emmylou Harris or if you dig Gram Parsons then you certainly
will feel a weak spot for this album. And although this album sounds like
a soundtrack for travelling the highways through the southern states the band
originates from Liverpool in the UK. But you can’t deny it when listening
to this recording that there is a lot of Nashville in it. Thanks to some recordings
sessions in the US and with the help of some great musicians like Brantley
Kearns ( Dwight Yoakam) , David Jackson (with Emmylou Harris, John Denver),
additional vocals from Eric Brace, and guitar, mandolin and dobro from Rick
Shea, who also produced the album, the sound of the album is truly rich in
many aspects. Take a good listen to tracks like The Cold Wind, Everybody Loves
A Drinking Man or Black Train, and you know that this is a soundtrack for
the old times.”
Maverick Music Festival 1st-3rd July, 2011
”From
Liverpool are the Good intentions. This is their third year at Maverick; having
won the Going for a song contest two years ago, they played their first full
set at the festival last year. Joined on mandolin by Rick Shea (who also produced
their album) and performing an exemplary collection of catchy, sweet, rootsy
tunes with voices that blend together perfectly, they were the first artists
of the weekend to fly the flag for British Americana and they did
a sterling job.”
Louise Rodgers
“I was certainly impressed by The Good Intentions. This Merseyside outfit
have come on in leaps and bounds since winning the Maverick Festival’s
song competition a couple of years ago. Their mastery of Americana music,
utilising their own superb self-penned songs, has hardly been bettered this
side of the Atlantic.”
Alan Cackett
Country
Jukebox:
http://www.countryjukebox.de/
Someone Else's Time
Boronda Records
”The
second, brand new album of the Liverpool trio The Good Intentions comes recommended
as extremely diverse and entertaining. The 11 songs, all written by R. Peter
Davies and put-together in L.A., Nashville and Liverpool, are bursting with
originality and create images of expansive landscapes, coal mines, railroads
and lonely country roads in the mind of the listener, and play like the music
from a short film. The album, titled "Someone Else's Time" and produced
by Rick Shea, reveals beautiful, timeless Americana a la Gram Parsons &
Emmylou Harris and Gillian Welch & David Rawlings.”
Salt
Creek Show:
Armin
Heurich, WBVR
Someone Else's Time
Boronda Records
”It's gorgeous, a nice balance of upbeat tunes, darker ballads and everything inbetween. Sumptuous harmonies throughout, exceptional musicianship, tasteful arrangements, and the production is most impressive. Pedal steel is not overdone. I always find listening in a car to be the best way of judging the quality of the recording, and this more than passes the test. I am sure that listeners in the U.S. will want to get their hands on it.”
Armin Heurich