David Ian Roberts - Under the Radar
by Keith How
published: 9 / 9 / 2020

intro
Keith How in 'Under the Radar' reviews David Ian Roberts' latest pastoral, progressive folk release, 'From The Harbour'.
David Ian Roberts follows up last year’s superb and underrated ‘Travelling Bright’ with ‘From The Harbour’, recorded for the lovely Cambrian Records (home of Toby Hay and Jim Ghedi). Recorded in his home in Cardiff, ‘From the Harbour’ is a pastoral, progressive folk masterpiece. Bathed in glorious harmonies and a paisley-patterned eastern feel, tinged with sunshine and patchouli, ‘From the Harbour’ is simply beautiful. These nine songs have a sense of that magical in-between time, where day slips into dusk. Roberts invites us to "Walk with me to a golden place" on 'Hold the Line’. How can you resist? This journey, grounded in the earth, expands into acoustic cosmic realms with visions of hazy summer days and clear night skies. Fuelled by exquisite guitar, cello, bass and piano (he plays everything here), he follows a country lane explored by Martyn, Drake, Jansch, Renbourn etc. Roberts, however, is his own man. Tunes like ‘Red Desert’ and ‘Distant Plants’ prove this, infused with a timeless beauty and quiet unfolding. David Roberts may have produced this album in lockdown, but the enchantment and sonic delight will ease the most troubled of minds.
Also In Under the Radar
Cobalt Chapel (2018)
Field Lines Cartographer (2020)
Henry Parker/Meadowsilver (2019)
Jim Ghedi (2018)
Miscellaneous (2020)
Band Links:-
http://www.davidianroberts.com/https://www.facebook.com/DavidIanRobertsMusic/
https://davidianroberts.bandcamp.com/music
Play in YouTube:-
Picture Gallery:-

most viewed articles
current edition
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - InterviewJack Frost - As Seen on TV
Nils Petter Molvaer - El Molino, Barcelona, 24/4/2025
John McKay - Interview
Editorial - July 2025
Robert Forster - Interview
When Rivers Meet - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Kruder and Dofmeister - Paral-lel 62, Barcelona, 27/4/2025
Skunk Anansie - Old Market, Brighton, 16/5/2025
Yardbirds - Des Plaines Theater, Des Plaines, 18/4/2025
previous editions
Boomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....Nitzer Ebb -
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EP
Oasis - Oasis, Earl's Court, London, 1995
Loop - Loop / Godflesh - Heaven, London, 4/6/2014
Super Furry Animals - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Brad Elvis - Interview
Love - Reel to Real
Not Forgotten Girl - Interview
Miscellaneous - Film
most viewed reviews
current edition
John McKay - Sixes and #SevensDavey Woodward - Mumbo in the Jumbo
Vultures - Liz Kershaw Session 16.06.88
Billy Nomates - Metalhorse
HAIM - I Quit
Peter Doolan - I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and a Snake Moves Around Me,in a Circle
Pulp - More
Garbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
Morcheeba - Escape The Chaos
Little Simz - Lotus
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart