Albums

Special Guest Harmonica! – Cold Coffee Blues.

Updates!

So, 2, 3, or even possibly 4 years ago I made a quip on Facebook regarding having the cold coffee blues…

… once upon a time I would drink my way through a Cafetiere of coffee whilst working/songwriting and drink it dry as it was going cold….now? no, no, I like it hot!

Hence my proclamation.

This was commented on at the time by an old friend of mine from my time on the Popular Music BTEC  at Thornes Park College..Mr Ryan Mitchell – Smith,  that it would indeed be a great song title.   I agreed.  I said I’d write it and he said he would play harmonica on it.

Being the kind of person that if I say I’ll do something, I tend to mean it.  10 years may go past but I will carry it and one day, it will be done.  And here we are.

Cold Coffee Blues is now a song.   When I sat down with my guitar to write one day, that song just fell out, (as easy as knocking over my coffee has been plenty of times). It’s fun, it’s thoughtful, it’s easy and cathartic and made me smile and when I smile playing one of my own songs, its all good!  Once I’d finished it I was hoping Ryan would still be up for being a part of this. Lucky for me he was still into it.

Full circle.  I’m totally honoured.  Ryan has nailed this song. We have some cheeky Blues Harp.  His playing is awesome and has really captured the vibe and it’s been on repeat in my headphones for the last couple of weeks.  It’s really exciting for me to work with people on my music, and when it fits, it’s magic. Like excited being a kid magic.  Things I wouldn’t and couldn’t have done myself.  It’s much more fun involving others!

Please go and check out Ryans music, he writes his own songs and plays harmonica for a range of people.   Here’s an ace vid from one of his own songs, go check out Youtube for more.. 

 

Cold Coffee Blues will be on my next album.  I’m recording and working with guest musicians to make it an album I’m happy, excited and proud to share. So far it’s all working to plan 🙂 I’ll be continuing with updates as things happen each step of the way and when I have bits of music to share it will be here first!

Thanks for reading, listening and sharing and don’t forget……..DON’T LET YOUR COFFEE GET COLD.

Jo x

Studio, guest musicians and co-writes..

Hello,

There are things bubbling under the surface at the moment that make me happy to be creative.

The main thing I’d like to talk about today is my studio session with Cello on 2 tracks for my currently-being-record album…

Last month I headed down to Crosstown Studios in Liverpool to work with Jon Lawton again.  Love working with Jon, so chilled and interesting, great coffee and an ideal ear to bounce ideas off!   This time it was with the company of Luke Moore.  I’ve worked with Luke on a couple of occasions on Operation Lightfoot projects and he has many hats but in this situation it was as Cellist,  Cellist to contribute and weave some dark, beautiful string tones to 2 of my songs.   The songs most fitting for this – Riches to Rags and Say Everything Do Nothing.  It’s exciting for me to hear an instrument I don’t play adding sprinklings to my songs.  Strings have such a powerful sound and I came away from the studio very happy.    So, amidst conversations about zombies, Crystal Maze, Obstacle Races and coffee we put melodies and rhythms down to enhance, enhance, enhance.  I had lots of fun being objective about my music and I’m now able to stand back from these songs and enjoy the craft.  Being in the studio has to be one of my favourite ways to spend time, especially building my own songs. Onwards!

 

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NEXT UP NEWS!…….  I have another fantastic guest musician to announce on another song in the coming week for the album…. I’m going to sit on the details of this a tad longer but this song is on repeat on my phone at the moment and makes me smile 🙂 There will be details of this to come.

 

On a slightly different note…I did my first ever 10k Obstacle race last month called Wolf Run.  Loved it! So much fun, so much mud.  More more more.  This is my preferred way to defrag and get a body stretch and some fresh air, for this I’m grateful.

 

Stay creative

JO x

studio / album mixing pt. 1 / videos

The last few weeks have been inspiring…

Album recording/mixing pt. 1

There’s a lovely list of 12 songs all ready to make up my next album.  I’ve been patient this time round and have opted for letting this music marinate, sitting with it, making tweaks. I now have 8 songs pretty much recorded with some sprinklings from other artists to add to the mix and so a couple of weeks ago  I paid a visit to Jon Lawton at the new premises of Crosstown Studios in Liverpool for his expert ears and studio skills….

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with Jon at Crosstown Studios, Liverpool

The feedback was great, the coffee was flowing and I came away feeling very excited and like I can move on to my next chapter… watch this space, this thing has wings!

Operation Lightfoot………….

Last year I recorded a song with Operation Lightfoot called Sharks, I love this song, it’s moody and dark and comforting.  Lots of strings. Perfect. We wrote the song together and I’ve been excited for when we release it.  This is now getting closer and we are currently story-boarding a video to go with it. This will hopefully be out by the end of the year 🙂

Keep an eye on my website / social media for updates!

Until then

Jo x

Recording! new songs – new album

Hello!

I have now started recording my second album.  I’ve spent the last year in my creative cave, gathering enough songs that I can be excited and proud of to put together worthy of an album. 12 songs in total, yes!  I made it.

Admittedly I got a teeny bit waylayed as I spent time on some amazing collaborations with other artists (Bowker, Tiki Black, Operation Lightfoot) and also had the pleasure of playing guitar on the Kwalaparla album Break the man.  I have also acquired a small collection of commissioned pieces for BBC Radio Merseyside Pure Musical Sensations show (Anyone Who Had a Heart (yes, a Cilla cover…), Always Feel Like Home & Faith on Hope st.).

Admittedly…………..I also got a bit more waylayed as I entered into a personal mission to get fit (Crossfit / Running / Hiking / Mountain biking) and eat clean, get some decent sleep, early mornings and drink less..(much less)…so, rock n roll….I know,  but I feel amazing…..  and…it feels GOOD!

But now….I’m ready.  In motion.

So I have a little quick video to share with you that I’ve just recorded at home as a taster of what’s to come.  The album is pretty much a mixture of acoustic  guitar and slide guitar songs.  Some solo, some with guests 🙂 I’m excited.

But for now….

Enjoy x