Review from Rock'n'Reel magazine for album launch gig at the Musican Pub Leicester 17/4/08
"The folk-cum-acoustic equivalent of "the new Bob Dylan" kiss-of-death for a performer must be "the new Richard Thompson". Yet, while such a comparison is undoubtedly premature, live tonight for the launch of his new album, it's clear to see why Gren Bartley is attracting this potential millstone.
As an acoustic finger-picking guitar-and-banjo-player he has few if any equals in his age group (and a fair few others); as an acoustic rooted in folk writer he's developing an alarmingly good canon of work, and while his voice is his weakest arm it's more than adequate. Add to that a developing line in wry humour and the picture is complete.
Although he's variously accompanied by the players and singers from his album, it's Bartley who holds the eye and the ear. Whether it's the effortlessly astonishing picking on instrumental "Record Lovelies" (named after those whom he was one, who manned the record stall at Sidmouth one year), his total absorption in the bleak blues "Standing at the Judgement" and "Somebody on your Bond", or his own compositions amongst which "Carry Her Safe" (the title track of his new album) and "Favourite Red Coat" stand out, it's an engrossing and engaging display of virtuosity.
Despite quipping that this is "his hardest gig ever" - he knows many of the audience, including his mother (over whose wallpaper, which features on his poster, a veil should be drawn) - he carries it off to the manner born, and despite only finally leaving the stage at midnight everyone present would have been happy for him to go on long into the wee small hours."(Rock'n'Reel magazine)
"A phenomenal young guitarist and singer.... This chap is definitely going to set the acoustic world alight" (The Real Music Club)
"Gren Bartley is being hailed as the new Richard Thompson and his performances have confirmed him as the best new act of the year." (The Musician, Leicester).
"Bartley proves to be an accomplished songwriter, with a restful voice that lulls its way into the mind and heart." (Allmusic.com)"Gren is writing alot of his own stuff these days and is also playing a little bingo". (Loughborough Echo)"With a glorious serated edge, Gren Bartley's "Carry Her Safe" features some great guitar and banjo picking. It's an album of strong heartfelt songs and some great musical interludes, not just instrumentals dotted around the album, but as solos, introductions and finishes to the songs with a vocal element. The sound falls in the slot between English and American folk, there is the spirit of the troubadour about it, particularly when the harmonica kicks in. You can imagine Gren and co hitching a lift at a truck stop trying to get to the next gig. Artists like this seem to be a dying breed" (FATEA)
