Ad Vanderveen made a name for himself as the front man of rock band Personnel, but since the band split in 1992, he has been internationally successful as a rootsy singer / songwriter. In that capacity he befriended Iain Matthews, a British colleague with an illustrious past at Fairport Convention and Southern Comfort. They worked together in the trio More Than A Song (with Eliza Gilkyson) and
… recorded an unnamed album in 2000 as The Iain Ad Venture. Ride The Times is the successor to that duo album. Both gentlemen delivered some compositions. They also made a grateful selection from the oeuvres of Warren Zevon (Mohammed's Radio), Bobby Darin (Things), Neil Young (Mr. Soul) and Tom Waits (Heart Of Saturday Night). A balanced repertoire of purely strong songs that is brought to the fore in a relaxed and intimate way: with just two guitars and some percussion. Folk rock legend Joe Boyd is pleasantly surprised in the liner notes by the unknown Vanderveen: 'What an excellent singer / songwriter!' High time for Ad to finally reap the deserved recognition in his own country. (MS)more
