CD of Note Jo Harrop, The Heart Wants (Lateralize) London-based singer and songwriter Jo Harrop has a winner here. Her lyrics are intelligent and her voice is stunning, sure, smoky and playful as required on the baker's dozen tracks. It includes nine originals, written with a solid team of frequent collaborators, and four covers. She explores the vagueries of life, loss, romance and renewed purpose. She even touches on the frustrations of the pandemic on “Everything's Changing.” The project includes covers of Duke Ellington's “All Too Soon” (a duet with bassist Christian McBride) and Tom Waits' “Rainbow Sleeves.” Favorite tracks: her duet with pianist Jason Rebello as they recast Lerner and Loewe's “If Ever I Should Leave You” from Camelot and the anthemic closing track “Weather the Storm,” featuring guitarist Jamie McCredie, Nicky Brown on Hammond organ and a robust backing chorus. Released last year in Europe, The Heart Wants was an April 25 U.S. release. Posted by Ken Franckling at 1:04 PM Labels: CD/DVD Reviews, jazz singers
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CD of Note Jo Harrop, The Heart Wants (Lateralize) London-based singer and songwriter Jo Harrop has a winner here. Her lyrics are intelligent and her voice is stunning, sure, smoky and playful as required on the baker's dozen tracks. It includes nine originals, written with a solid team of frequent collaborators, and four covers. She explores the vagueries of life, loss, romance and renewed purpose. She even touches on the frustrations of the pandemic on “Everything's Changing.” The project includes covers of Duke Ellington's “All Too Soon” (a duet with bassist Christian McBride) and Tom Waits' “Rainbow Sleeves.” Favorite tracks: her duet with pianist Jason Rebello as they recast Lerner and Loewe's “If Ever I Should Leave You” from Camelot and the anthemic closing track “Weather the Storm,” featuring guitarist Jamie McCredie, Nicky Brown on Hammond organ and a robust backing chorus. Released last year in Europe, The Heart Wants was an April 25 U.S. release. Posted by Ken Franckling at 1:04 PM Labels: CD/DVD Reviews, jazz singers 〰️
“Jo Harrop possesses a deeply penetrating voice, not unlike Nina Simone… A master of moods and El Greco tones.” - www.jazzweekly.com - Jo Harrop possesses a deeply penetrating voice, not unlike the harrowing Nina Simone, on this collection of mostly originals and cherry picked covers. The musicians (which include Christian McBride/b, Troy Miler/dr, Hanna Vasanth/p, Jame McCredie) and moods are mixed and matched, ranging from a harrowing meeting with McBride on the Ellingtonian “All Too Soon” to the fun and festive “Red Mary Janes & A Brand New Hat” with pianist Jason Rebello in full saloon stride. She gets vulnerable and fragile on a haunting “If Ever I Would Leave You” and her vibrato is velvety on the pretty “Wise Words”, going past your comfort space as she moves in close on the intimate “I Think You’d Better Go” with McCredie’s guitar. A master of moods and El Greco tones.
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“Jo Harrop possesses a deeply penetrating voice, not unlike Nina Simone… A master of moods and El Greco tones.” - www.jazzweekly.com - Jo Harrop possesses a deeply penetrating voice, not unlike the harrowing Nina Simone, on this collection of mostly originals and cherry picked covers. The musicians (which include Christian McBride/b, Troy Miler/dr, Hanna Vasanth/p, Jame McCredie) and moods are mixed and matched, ranging from a harrowing meeting with McBride on the Ellingtonian “All Too Soon” to the fun and festive “Red Mary Janes & A Brand New Hat” with pianist Jason Rebello in full saloon stride. She gets vulnerable and fragile on a haunting “If Ever I Would Leave You” and her vibrato is velvety on the pretty “Wise Words”, going past your comfort space as she moves in close on the intimate “I Think You’d Better Go” with McCredie’s guitar. A master of moods and El Greco tones. 〰️
All About Jazz - USA
JAZZ FM playlist ‘Short Story’ from Jo Harrop and Paul Edis .. October playlist
The Heart Wants hits No.13 in the US Jazz Album Charts summer 2022
