BY LESLEY HASTINGS
Artwork credit Agata Helena
A regular face on the live country music scene over the past couple of years, both in London and further afield (including playing Black Deer, Maverick and Glastonbury Festivals this year), Savannah Gardner may well be a familiar name to many of you. And if not, I’m confident she soon will be!
The Californian native has made the UK her home and is earning a reputation as both talented songwriter and exciting performer and is keen to uplift other upcoming artists, especially when it comes to championing the growth of women in the country and Americana genres.
Following on from several well received singles, it’s exciting news that Savannah’s debut album “Recovering Good Girl” is set for release on September 27th via Heart and Gravel Records with a release show the evening before, which will no doubt be one big party
Produced by the legendary Dale Davis ( former MD and bass player for Amy Winehouse) the album’s lead single/title track is available now.
I must begin this review by mentioning how much I absolutely love the concept behind this solo-write from Savannah! It’s her rage against the partriarchal society she found herself having to contend with at the start of her career, and possibly due to her youth and inexperience she initially toed the line. That was her “good girl” phase, pleasing others at the expense of her own happiness, but now she is confident enough to live life on her own terms and follow her dreams without worrying what others think … yes, welcome to Savannah’s “outlaw phase”. It’s a sort of “behavioural rehab“ in reverse that she hopes others will embrace!
The song begins with a pensive, spoken first verse accompanied solely by some harmonious and echoing “oohs”, Savannah telling of wanting to earn enough to get her out of the town that’s stifling her so she can “free my wild soul”. But don’t be fooled by this gentle opening, there’s some great dynamics throughout this mid tempo track which builds as the band join in on the second verse, and by the time it gets to the chorus we get the first chance to hear Savannah’s gritty attacking vocals in full flight. She has one of the most distinctive voices out there right now in my opinion that is definitely suited to this tale of her trailblazing her own way and her determination to “take my power back”.
There’s definitely a lot to ponder on when it comes to the song’s lyrics, which are really hard hitting in places and although inspired by Savannah’s personal experiences I am confident that they will resonate with others, especially those who have also had negative experiences due to living in an inherently patriarchal society. “Selfish women go to hell while boys just get to be boys” …. ”I’ve been the blonde I’ve been the bitch I’ve perked up his interest, Been terrified alone at night my keys between my fists” are just a few of the stand out lines for me.
I also love the track’s wonderful instrumental break which has a bit of a bluesy/rock vibe (see full credits below) before Savannah let’s rip with a final chorus, which is already proving to be an ear worm at live shows with audiences singing along about being an outlaw, a recovering good girl looking for my freedom.
Coming right back down again, the opening lines are repeated at the end of this superb song, a perfectly executed vocal lick rounding it off perfectly. What an introduction to the album, and
hopefully this release will help inspire those who have been afraid to take control of their lives to do just that if their situation permits.
Stream “Recovering Good Girl” here https://open.spotify.com/track/0TVoKPVCBpstGnSsPAbhMk?
Musician Credits
Savannah Jade Gardner : Lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Dale Davis : Bass
Lea McMahon : Background vocals, organ, keyboard
Holly Carter : Electric Guitar
Greg Sheffield : Drums
For more artist information, tickets to the album launch and to pre-order the album go to https://savannahgardner.com/
