Leigh Jones - Worth Wild (2012)

When I was first introduced to Brooklyn singer/songwriter Leigh Jones in a joint concert with John Craigie and Olivia Quillio it was almost impossible not to compare the two females. Olivia Quillio singing raw, sultry songs of heartbreak and frustration, Leigh's songs hopeful, sweet, and caressing love ballads. Subconsciously I started pitting them against each other - a friendly competition of course - to see who would win out which now seems a little unfair. The two had more in common than I initially realized: unexpected powerhouse vocals explode effortless from their rather diminutive statures, real relatable lyrics based on their actual lives, and impressive amounts of musical talents that caresses each verse and musical phrase.

Leigh Jones' debut album Worth Wild is certainly a good one. Reminding me of Sylvie Lewis with its ability to convey intelligence while also remaining accessible and catchy featuring unexpected rhymes and a noticeable folk-pop flair. And Jones' changes gears rather impressively, there's exuberant romp "I Know You Know" and more ballads than you can shake a stick at ("Old Guitar", "Half Mast", "How is California?") there's also soulful highlight "Time Zone" which is probably the album's best track (but not my much). 

While Leigh Jones is rather obviously a girl in love, she does a good job of harnessing it in a way that makes you root for her and not just roll your eyes and hurry along. Long distance relationships are the recurring theme on Worth Wild but each time she visits it, Jones has something new to say about it. She celebrates the moments spent together rather than just prattling on about how terrible it is that they have to be apart. Overall, Worth Wild benefits from Jones' ability to handle her love affair with adult sensibility instead of just schoolgirl infatuation.  There's a balance of somber seriousness and tracks that are just plain fun just the thing you need to need to get through what could easily have turned into something unnecessary repetitive.

Give Leigh Jones' debut album Worth Wild a listen now:

Watch: Olivia Quillio ft. Meagan Duffy - "New Home" live

I have a lot of loves. I talk about them pretty constantly (*cough* ARMS *cough*) but perhaps one of the most appropriate amounts of love I have is reserved for Olivia Quillio. I stumbled upon her more or less randomly when she played with John Craigie lat year and from the second she opened her mouth - I had fallen head over heels.

Olivia Quillio just can't seem to post as much new music as my love demands of her and yet, today I'm satiated - a little bit. She posted up this brand new video for a new track entitled "New Home" and it's a thing of beauty. I have both her demo and a record she recorded last year and this song by itself just blows them both out of the water. Girl has got some pipes on her and she's not afraid to use them. But it's not about being showy with her, no, when Olivia sings it's a rush of emotion that grips you tight and threatens never to let go. And for some reason or another you're completely okay with that.

So until she can supply all of the music my heart demands, this'll do. And it's a mighty fine placeholder.

John Craigie offers up fourth album preview track

Another day, another new song; proving he's no slacker, California folk singer John Craigie offers up "Boston in November" as part of his song-a-day album preview. The new track marks the first track off the upcoming album October is the Kindest Month that is vaguely upbeat. And it's a nice change of pace. Here's hoping there's more uplifting tracks on the new album but if there's not, that's okay too. Enjoy Craigie's ode to autumn and the one that got away "Boston in November":

John Craigie previews album with third single

John Craigie's song-a-day streak is going strong. Today he releases "So Many Lives", the third single for upcoming album October is the Kindest Month. While listening I noticed it sounded kind of familiar. Then I remembered: He's played this song live. So if you've seen Craigie live (which you totally should, if you haven't already) you've most likely heard this song. Enjoy "So Many Lives":

John Craigie continues album previews with "Black Swan Lullaby"

Yesterday Californian folk singer John Craigie started revealing tracks from his upcoming album October Is The Kindest Month, and today he's thrown up another one. Another melancholic tune by the name of "Black Swan Lullaby".





October Is The Kindest Month is due out August 20th so mark your calendars folks, it's bound to be a good one.

John Craigie to release new album, gives album previews

For one week only, California folk singer John Craigie is releasing a song a day in preparation for his upcoming album October Is The Kindest Month. Today, Craigie begins by offering up the first single from the album "All of July".

Known (at least to me) for his guitar and harmonica accompanied style, "All of July" adds in numerous other instruments and guests like violin, piano (played by Zach Gill), and drums to give some flair to the somber, moving ditty.

John Craigie - Montana Tale (2010)

Hearing John Craigie's solo live shows left me a little unprepared for the masterfully full sounds of his latest full length Montana Tale. Beginning with a banjo and violin intro on "Gone", John Craigie's voice delicately enters, persuading you politely to keep listening. The oom-pah bass and bluegrassy violin flourishes wouldn't be out of place in old style fiddle music but Craigie manages to combine acoustic with the electric to create an amazing folk track and album opener that hooks you with its uptempo and busy-but-not-distracting nature. "As Tragic" takes the tempo down a couple notches, so Craigie can deliver his bittersweet serenade that's a bit melancholic but also rather uplifting. Bluesy "Labor Day" reminded me of John's live shows with it's kind of tongue-in-cheek opening lyrics "On Labor Day, I quit my job" and harmonica fills. It's another combination of acoustic and electric and has a "Devil Went Down to Georgia" type epic quality. The balladic "Will Not Fight" has a sort of completeness which could've been the album closer, which had me wondering where Craigie could possibly go next. The response: "Mama Nashville". The harmonica-heavy track is bound to put a smile on your face with its devil-may-care delivery and virtuostic displays. "28" brings the album down again, with its allusions galore, and barely-there piano and violin providing a blanket of accompaniment to John's sorrowful vocals. The only way to describe "Easter Sunday" might be epic, unsurprising considering its subject matter is Jesus' rise but aided more by the almost dizzying array of instruments employed by the end of the song. By the time "Resurrection Bay" started, I had heard more harmonica than I had in my whole entire life but the harmonica solos really helped to set up the mood and remain unique. "Anna Rose (Part IV)" with is violin-heavy arrangement, is a toe-tapping, motivational, and purely entertaining all at once. When he declares: "Quit your job, sell your car, tell that fool that you live with that you don't want to live here anymore/Bring your banjo and I'll teach you how to play 'cause it's never too late", you really want to do all those things and join him. The "All Through Montana" is nearly 9 minutes long, and strips all of the ornate arrangement away to feature John Craigie's vocals accompanied by strummed guitar and beat keeping bass drum. About 3/4 in the song becomes an virtuostic showcase for the electric guitar. Summery "Map of Dallas" brings the tour-inspired album to an artful crowd, describing the feeling of being on the road and looking forward to returning home where the locals know and love you.

While there's so much done right on Montana Tale, my favorite part is probably John Craigie's lyricism. He manages to slip these little genius nuggets into each of his songs, that you might notice on your first listen but become more apparent with each listen. Included is John's countdown's and the like, which really helps to infuse the album with more personality. You might not have heard of John Craigie but he's certainly no amateur. His music is remarkably well written, the instruments amazingly well-played. His album doesn't come with a booklet of lyrics, but fortunately you won't need them. Craigie's voice on every song is as clear as a bell which says alot about the production quality, as well as Craigie's own vocal talent.

Here's a sneak peek at the album with a live solo acoustic version of "Anna Rose (Part IV):

You can listen to more of John Craigie at his MySpace or listen and buy his album here.

Live!: John Craigie at The Cubbyhole

This thursday evening I had the great pleasure of seeing folk musician John Craigie play at show at The Cubbyhole coffeehouse in Poughkeepsie. Firstly because he traveled all the way from California and put a Poughkeepsie show on his East Coast tour but also because of the stellar caliber of his performing. John Craigie's guitar, vocal, and harmonica stylings were all top notch. Playing original songs and the occasional cover, taking audience requests, playing funny songs about Chuck Norris and a myriad of other topics, John Craigie was a real audience pleaser. The last time I attended a show at The Cubbyhole, I had the misfortune of sitting through one of those generic singer/songwriter types with predictable lyrics. Fortunately this show was not the case. John's lyrics were smart, his melodies memorable, and he gave off the vibe of someone that was truly glad to be doing what he does and to be playing for people. John Craigie might not be all that well known but he totally deserves to be. His talent is awe-inspiring as he adapted several of his "rowdier" songs to fit the mellow venue and played an audience requested "Wagon Wheel" pretty much effortless. Here's to hoping there's more on the horizon for this folk musician from California.

Check out John Craigie's music here at his myspace page:
http://www.myspace.com/johncraigie