Pink Hedgehog Records - Reviews (Last Time I Was There)

ROGER TARRY ~ LAST TIME I WAS THERE

The name Roger Tarry has ben synonymous with tender bittersweet melancholy and light
countrified tunes since 2002. His debut EP It's Not You was a triumph of intimate recording
attracting airplay from legendary Radio 1 DJ Steve Lamacq prompting listener feedback on
the quality and extraordinary beauty of his performance. Proving they can spot a good thing
the song was snapped up in 2004 by Sony Pictures TV and has been used on the hit TV
series Dawson's Creek. Playing with renewed vigour and the backing of Ben Goode on
bass, Chris Lewis on drums and Toby Field on piano, Roger has taken his songs to
audiences throughout the UK picking up new fans with his charming on-stage manner
but most importantly with a collection of songs that simply have to be heard. This record
is no exception combining musical delicacy with superior lyricism heard all to rarely in
modern songwriting.

Reviewed in Fuse, UK

Bittersweet songs with a touch of country, some of Roger Tarry’s material also bears a striking
resemblance to Nick Drake especially on the shuffling beat of ‘Driving Song’ embellished by
some beautiful cello from Alison Gillies. Indeed Roger has appeared on a ‘Songs of Nick Drake’
tour with Keith James and will also cover an as yet undisclosed Drake song for a forthcoming film.
His debut EP attracted the attention of Radio 1 DJ Steve Lamaq and one of his songs was used
on TV. A "gossamer touch" is an absolutely apt description as Roger’s music is so light, sometimes
barely a whisper that you feel it could float away - it certainly creates a peaceful atmosphere with some
perfectly understated backing by a rhythm section and occasional piano. Part of ‘Little Bird’ resembles
‘Here Comes The Sun’ while the guitar arpeggios on ‘Weight’ and the finger picking on ‘Walk With Me’
are redolent of Nick Drake (again), an impression strengthened by cello which is used liberally throughout
this record. ‘So Much Time’ is an achingly beautiful slow paced ballad with some lovely harmonies while
on ‘Today’ (and elsewhere) Jeff Tweedy and his excellent Wilco comes to mind. At times the music is so
laid back it’s almost horizontal but hey, who’s complaining- chill out and enjoy! ‘Last Time I Was There’ is
released on Pink Hedgehog in the UK and Dandyland in Germany. Contact: www.rogertarry.net

Reviewed in Zeitgeist by Phil Jackson, UK

Where did this come from? This EP features three tracks of unbridled wild beauty – so fragile
yet unrestrained. Softly whispered lyrics that recall Nick Drake or Tim Buckley – with pastoral
soulfulness that beckons the listener to simply wallow in rustic contemplation. Understand that
there’s an album out as well. Can hardly wait. Highly recommended! http://www.rogertarry.net/

Reviewed at Power Of Pop by Kevin Mathews, SINGAPORE

Roger Tarry's debut is predictably awash with acoustic guitar and bittersweet melancholy. Fortunately,
simple arrangements and subtle melodies prevent him from becoming a James Blunt clone, and the
heartfelt mood that is displayed throughout gives plenty of "lump in the throat" moments. Vocally, the
style is more The Bends-era Thom Yorke than David Gray, and while a deviation from the prevailing
downbeat mood wouldn't go amiss, this album succeeds admirably. (Rating **** 4/5 stars).

Reviewed in The Big Issue (South West) by Dean Noonan, UK

Not much to go in the 3 songs and 12 minutes here, but enough to know why Roger is creating such a
stir, including airplay from Radio 1 DJ Steve Lamaq. Backed by a rhythm section, cellist Alison Gillies
(compliments Roger’s music perfectly) and piano, it’s no surprise that Roger participated in a recent
Songs Of Nick Drake tour, for his music is rather beautiful, bittersweet, melancholic and ultimately haunting.

Reviewed in Zeitgeist by Phil Jackson, UK

Been a while since we heard anything from the Pink Hedgehog stable, which to be perfectly frank
has left us a little low in spirits, so imagine our delight when a bulging pack arrived on our doormat
containing a handful of tasty full lengths by Schnauser, Mondo Jet Set, Anton Barbeau (the latter of
which we already had a copy a much loved as it is just now waiting time to wax lyrical about) and a
rather superb three track CD from Bristol based musician Roger Tarry. These trio of songs serve
as a taster for Tarry’s debut full length Last Time I Was There, which all things being well should at this
very moment be doing brisk business in high street record stores. What can we say - this shy little
honey is made of the stuff that undoes you from the inside out and destroys you in the process.

References to Nick Drake are not lazily flung on this occasion. Tarry’s marriage of brisk lightly fingered
rustic acoustics, bitter sweet melancholic frailty, all longingly bathed in enigmatic string arrangements, are
testament to that fact. None more so is this the case than on the simply emotion scrambling ’Walk With Me’
which swirls around your listening space with such a fleeting demeanour you could easily be forgiven for
missing it. Listen a little closer and peel away its sweetly bruised exterior and there’s a treasure trove of
lilting effects and accents ready to arrest and play their delicately cured romance upon you. ’Just Like
Oceans’ is made of sturdier stuff sprinkled with a light dusting of tingling cornfield countrified colourings
that recalls in the main the criminally overlooked Moviola in lighter moods being serenaded by echoes
of Buffalo Springfield and Gram Parsons.

The nimbly disarming and faraway sounding ’Driving Song’ which opens the set is braided with a
seductive percussive shuffle that gives the impression of movement and is superbly augmented by a
wonderful Cello arrangement provided for by Alison Gillies, all the time cradled in a lushly lit setting of
hushed melodies with Tarry’s almost choir boy like softness of vocal delivery casting a feather like
touch to the collective drifting breeze like components below - best heard in the spectral silence
provided by an after hours sitting in order to reap its full sensual beauty. Now for the album!

And if you do happen to purchase any of the said Pink Hedgehog goodies ask them about their
rather tasty 4 track sampler DVD which showcases videos for Schnauser, Garfields Birthday
(whose ‘Mr Newton‘ it has to be said is disturbingly catchy), Hamfatter (whose wired Monkees on
8mm presentation is quite fetching) and Mondo Jet Set (whose promo to ‘Disco’ may well appeal
to viewers of a certain age who remember Snub TV - very Telescopes, Ultra Vivid Scene, MBV
in approach). The best of which by some distance is the promo clip for Schnauser’s ’Kill All Humans
- think Monty Python animations serving as a backdrops to a wayward sounding Beatles via Yellow
Submarine and Magical Mystery Tour supervised by the twin talents of Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne
and couched in a bizarrely addictive drug induced musical hall environment. All wonderfully wrapped
with the parting credit - "unfortunately no humans where killed in the making of this film".

Reviewed in Losing Today by Mark, UK

With effective string and piano backing for Tarry's tasteful playing and delicate vocals, there's
a sadness prevalent through much of this album, along with a vital poignancy that draws you in.
Ultimately, there's a fragile otherworldiness that recalls NICK DRAKE. The heartrending 'I Can't
Help You' is a real standout track, but any one of these songs deserves a film to soundtrack

Reviewed in Guitarist (August 2006), UK