Packsaddle Road (2003, Shore Road Music) Buy it from Buy it from

"....it is when Gardner is stripped down to her guitar and that fluid voice-such as on the tracks "Gabriel" and "If I Could"- that she is at her finest....."
--Kate Gerteis, (CD review for Face Magazine)
read more...

"'When we made our documentary about Castine, it was critical to us to finish the piece on a memorable "note" and we did. Thanks to Juliane, I think we "scored" a home run. "I want to know your name" is simply a terrific song."
--Lisa Brown, Documentary Producer/Accompany
read more...

"What I really love about this job is the fact that I get to hear a lot of great new talent...such is the case with this week's offering by Juliane Gardner..."
--Lucky Clark, Disc-Chat 20 For the 6/26/03 issue of "Northern Light"
read more...

In the summer of 2003, Juliane independently released her first solo album, "Packsaddle Road." The album features 12 songs of many flavors written by Juliane and recorded with a full band. "I've been listening to the arrangements lately and view the CD as a palette of musical styles. The songs have been drawn from many experiences from my daily life, to my travels in the big world. The result is 12 fairly different songs, ranging from pop flavored "Dancin" to funky "Better Off" and everything in between."

Mark Pfaff at Pfafomas in Pittsburgh, Pa. engineered and played bass on the album and Bruce Boege at Limin Music in Northport, Me. co produced and played soprano sax on "Dancin," and tenor sax on "Should be Prayin'."

The CD "Packsaddle Road" was recorded in March 2002, with Juliane on rhythm guitar, and Mark on bass, they brought together Darin Gehrke on drums and Vince Camut on all lead guitars; pedal steel, acoustic, and mandolin to collaborate on the project. The four of them combined their skills and musical influences to create the rhythm section for 8 of Juliane's tunes.

"For me it was a combination of pure elation and pure fear (I have rarely played guitar as part of a rhythm section, let alone recorded it for the public), but it went well and my fears were replaced by a new confidence in my playing and love for collaboration."

"The songs took shape as we talked about tempos, themes, and ways of relaying the various stories by use of certain instruments." My personal favorite combination is the pedal steel and flute on "Today," not to mention the added percussion of congas and cymbal parts, together they all embodied the true spirit of the song, which was written for my father.

Upon returning home from Pennsylvania to Maine, she called friend Bruce Boege to help with the next stage. For seven months they have been producing the final mix. Three of the tracks include contributions by Juliane's Maine friends, Bruce Boege - tenor and soprano sax, David Clarke - elec. guitar, Jeffrey Densmore - percussion/kit, and Chris Poulin - flute.

I felt truly honored to work with these musicians who brought their knowledge and skills to help shape these songs. I can't thank them enough!