STARING AT THE MOON
Jenny Colquitt
Straight out of Widnes, Jenny is a both a solo singer-songwriter and a band leader but this album is neither as, it combines the two and adds something extra, on this, her second album, offering 10 self-penned songs.
The intent is there from the start the first track comes in with a lone voice and lulls expectations before she shifts up through the gears, demonstrating as many as a Formula One car accelerating down a long straight!. However, it’s not all about power, much as that is in evidence, as the album progresses, she is also able to demonstrate that there is range as well.
In contrast to track 1, the second announces its presence with a bold musical motif that would not be out of place on an 80’s hair-rock band, Cachy as Hell, the theme is repeated throughout the song and that is a hallmark of the album, moments of magic that capture and return, rather than relying on choruses to provide the earworms.
Besides the power and the range, there may be strength, but there is also vulnerability, as suits the feel and lyrical content of the song – all originals by the way! Throughout, Jenny appears to reveal her inner life, themes and words inspired by her experiences and relationships. There is love in various forms, moments of insight and reflection, self-revelation and more!
This is not so much plain singer-songwriter, if it is to fit into a category, then stadium folk might just do it – and at the time of writing, Jenny is just back off a nationwide tour, via an appearance at Glastonbury, suggestive that she is on her way! The music is indeed built for the big stages and augmented by a phenomenal production job, there are shades of the likes of Fleetwood Mac in their pomp and even the lushness of Take That in their prime in both arrangements and delivery. All the more impressive that the performance is the work of just Jenny and David Gorst, who is also responsible for the production.
Track 8 is very much the exception to all of the above. A more universal message including themes of togetherness, climate change and concern for the future, all with a more percussive feel and to some degree reminiscent of local heroes Merry Hell in sound and feel – never a bad thing to these ears!
Jenny is indeed building a reputation to match her voice, to some extent outside the folk-circuit but can still be relied on to pick up her guitar, sit at her keyboard and offer something entirely more delicate, either at smaller bookings or indeed at her local open mic.
Staring at the Moon is a bold and beautiful album that might well be the start of something greater.
