The Pardoners

The Pardoners - 'The Pardoners'

Long time musical allies Sam See and Glyn Mason aka The Pardoners, take their acoustic based rock to a new level with the release of 'The Pardoners'.

Having cut their teeth with The Flying Circus, Fraternity, John Farnham Band (Sam), Chain and Ariel (Glyn), these two outstanding writer/musicians have come up with fourteen original songs that reflect their varied musical influences while relating experiences that touch on love, relationships and coming to terms with a modern world, often softening a blow with touches of wry humor.

Sam (vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, lap steel, mandolin, organ, piano, percussion) and Glyn (vocals, acoustic, guitars, stomp box) compliment each other throughout, sharing lead harmonising when required.

While there are no fillers, the jazz feel on Sam's 'Cool Day' and his cinematic, tragic, love epic 'Annie And The Ragged Heart' are standouts alongside Glyn's autobiographical 'Two Shores' and his hilarious tussle with technology, 'I Don't Get It'.

Sam See and Glyn Mason have spent their lives creating meaningful music. 'The Pardoners' is the apex of their careers.

Billy Pinnell
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- 3AW

Sometimes a record comes along that simply demands attention ... this is one of those fabulous times ... a lush, joyous selection of tunes that
lift the spirit & promote a sense of musical optimism.
"The Pardoners" 14 track journey into all the things that made music matter.
This record will make some old feelings just want to be new again.
Stand out tracks include Perfect Life, the gospel driven "Say a Prayer "
the groove of "Two Shores " and then we move on to the personal " Judith Anne "
This is world class ... this is Sam & Glyn !
This local duo deserves all of the attention & recognition that overseas
artists take for granted.
This is The Pardoners !!!
Love it !
- Music Retailer

* * * *
In short: History says this has to be good.

What do Chain, Copperwine, Ariel, Sherbet, Flying Circus, Fraternity and the Richard Clapton and John Farnham bands have in common? Sam See and Glyn Mason.
Vastly experienced guitarists and singers, they have come together as the Pardoners (though they first came together more than a quarter of a century ago as Stockley See and Mason, Stockley having left the Dingoes pack.
Just when you think it is See who has that lyrical McCartney edge, Mason chimes in with 'Say a Prayer' and 'Looking Across the Water'.
While the relaxed feel of the album was planned, that last song could be produced into a rock solid hit.
The same might be said of the adventurous 'Blood on the Tracks'- like 'Ragged Heart, just one moment that pays homage to those who influenced these venerable troubadours.
PETE BEST - Pete Best

Looking at its sepia-toned cover carrying the comfortable visages of local good ol' boys Sam See and Glyn Mason, one might easily jump to the conclusion that this is one of those elaborately picked and plucked, laid-back rootsy albums that gents of this vintage like to make. But you'd be wrong. What we've got here is the smartest pop record in ages, full of great hook-filled melodic songs. Think the band at their peak, early Eagles before they sucked, or Paul Kelly when he had the Coloured Girls to give him a good push. Some of Mason's songs in particular have an air of '70s big-rock number about them, helped by his enthusiastic vocal style, and See's stuff is jazz-inflected or with a generous zest of country and blues. They get some help on bass and a couple of nice girls add a few backing vocals, but for the most part it's Mason on guitar, and See on everything with strings except the cat, and also keyboards. So yeah, it's mostly acoustic, and maybe it is rootsy as hell, but there are 14 fine songs here and they all get up and go. You can hear how much fun they're having.

JEFF GLORFELD - THE AGE Fri, Jan 12, 2007

At the end of the 70s, three local luminaries teamed up for Stockley, See and Mason - the Dingoes' Chris Stockley, Sam See ( an original member of Sherbet, who was also in Fraternity with Bon Scott) and Glyn Mason ( Ariel, Copperwine and Chain)...
And now Sam and Glyn have formed a new duo, The Pardoners., releasing a self-titled album on Sound Vault Records. The years of experience show, with wonderful guitar and vocal interplay. The blues-influenced pop has plenty of bite, telling tales of a rock'n'roll life. Just check out the opening cut, the ironic Perfect Life: "The fence is falling over and the grass is growing long/It used to be my hair..." The Pardoners reminds at times of Richard Clapton. It's a delightful adult contemporary record.

JEFF JENKINS - INPRESS MAGAZINE