Probably best known to many as one third of ‘More Than A Song’ (alongside Eliza Gilkyson and Iain Matthews, Ad also has a notable solo career and this latest album proves he’s a singer/songwriter of real quality
It’s impossible to write a review of ‘The Moment That Matters’ without mentioning Neil Young, Ad’s vocal style is very similar and through the twelve songs most of the Young styles are on display, from acoustic country/folk right through to layered guitar rockers. The opening two numbers ‘Lottery of Love’ and ‘Everything is Free’ are both excellent songs in their own right, but are also perfect examples of ‘Young’ sound, you could slip these into ‘After the Goldrush’ and ‘Harvest Moon’ and no-one would even notice. Rather than this being a disparate sounding tribute album, he retains an air of individuality and the songs fit together well into a cohesive whole.
The use of guitar on this disc is excellent, from quiet acoustic through to distorted electrics stopping off at all points in-between, and the sheer range of textures on display is a real achievement. Amongst the other instrumental support there’s mandolin, dobro and harmonica and the musicians helping out include Eliza Gilkyson, Iain Matthews and David Olney.
Of the 12 songs, 10 are originals and there are 2 covers (including a fantastic Gillian Welch song), but it’s the originals that really stand out – the title track is a beautifully simple but hugely effective song, and the final track ‘Light of Day’ is an impressive twelve minute epic.
‘The Moment That Matters’ is a strong disc that while acknowledging it’s influences stands up as a fine contemporary album that is well worthy of investigation – those with an interest in Neil Young’s more melodic output should not miss out.

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