Chloe Jones EP

Chloe Jones is a singer songwriter from the Manchester area of the UK and has been on the music scene since the release of her debut EP in 2016, Meet You There about her tales of travelling the USA. Chloe is an Americana, country, folk singer releasing songs that would sit comfortable in all of these genres and more. Voice of a Woman has now added Chloe to the ones to watch always for her talent not only in singing, but in creating lyrics that instantly take you with her where she is going within the song, and this is a talent that Chloe has in abundance. Chloe has been nominated in the British Country Music Festival as female of the year alongside Kezia Gill, Jade Helliwell, Sarah Louise and Emilia Quinn. 

Sundown EP was released on September 30 2022 and is a collection of some of the most beautiful songs I have heard. The title of this EP suggests a stunning view of the sun going down and brings you into what stories and tales Chloe has in store for us. 

Crocodile is the first track on the EP which was inspired by seeing something in a paper, in a wild crocodile and writing a song about the phrase and what it would bring up. This track has sass, feistiness and so much more within it and a classy video to be checked out also with guns and lassoes! This track has an americana and country feel to it and a beautiful use of steel guitar with Chloes vocal lilting over the song. I love the vibes in this track, the whole feel and the story bringing the wild crocodile to a new heights! Production is simple yet so effective to bring this story to life and to bring the sass of the song out. 

Damsel is the next track on the EP and it begins with simple acoustic guitar and Chloes vocal travelling away and missing someone and wanting them to be with you. Chloe has such a talent to bring you with her into the song, it feels like she is there with you singing it just to you. Her vocal brings out the pain of being on your own and the ambient drums, steel guitar, acoustic guitar crescendos throughout the song and it is all simply stunning. This is a stellar example of the talent Chloes has to craft a beautiful song and bring you the listener in at every step.

Giving Up The Ghost is one of the most upbeat in terms of musicality and pace although the subject matter makes you think. 

"who are we, we are drifters travelling by land and by sea, company we are listeners nothing gets in between"

The song takes you in traveling again, this time for something/someone you love who then has to go again and what this leaves the narrator with. This could be one of the best songs on the EP, again demonstrating the song writing ability and talent of this artist, Simply breath-taking.

New Mexico is one of the songs Voice of a Woman has always loved from Chloe for the lyrical visuals it brings up, the steel guitar, Chloes vocal tone on the song telling the story and painting a picture of the beautiful white mountains in New Mexico. Chloe tells someone the story she has been wanting to tell from seeing a picture of these hills in New Mexico and I just travel with her in this song as I do in all of her songs, this one in particular gets me and I just get taken on a journey with her every phrase and chorus. It is so beautifully crafted form instrumentation to her vocal. I just love the feel the minor chords bring to this song, it deserves a special mention for me.

Big Man Says finishes this EP off beautifully, an acoustic feel with Chloe and a guitar. An Ambient piano comes in at times throughout the song though the whole feel of this song is simple yet effective. 

"Big man says it must be true, he says he loves me more than you"

Words sometimes fail me in reviews to try and describe the beauty and talent I am listening to and this is exactly an example of this with Chloes whole EP. Chloe is such a naturally talented songwriter and you do get taken along with her in her stories and with her voice. She is one of the best the UK scene has to offer and officially a Voice of a Woman one to watch. I cannot say enough good things about this artist and talent and I see huge things for her in her future. 

Sarah Yeo : West Country Music Festival

Now I am back in the land of the living and back to the usual working routine (well shift work where I am) I am now able to write down my thoughts about one of the festivals I went to back in August, The West Country Music Festival founded and organised by the one and only Sarah Yeo. This festival was in the most beautiful grounds a festival can be held, the sun was shining and as I am now known, Leeds Linda was ready to enjoy the day of music that was awaiting us. It is a case of if you know you know or if you have been told you have been told.  

Devon is one of the most beautiful parts in the UK and Muddifold court had so much to offer artists, the crowd and all who were in attendance. Greeting you at the gates were the great team of people helping Sarah on the day as well as Ducks, Guineapigs and an array of animals to talk to. When you arrived the layout of the welcome desk to the stage to food and merch was so well thought out and planned and there was chairs and tables to eat at beside the vendors. For a day festival there was plenty of choice to eat and drink and the crepes were amazing! 

I am bringing the attention back to this festival as it was one of the most enjoyable I have been to in terms of how welcome everyone felt from artists, volunteers, people paying for tickets and those there who were press. Sarah was so thoughtful in the organisation of this event and included everyone in so many thoughtful ways and it was such a wonderful day to be a part of and an event to attend in the future for sure! A hen do turned up and she went from the festival to get a card, alcohol and a small gift to present the bride to be with from the stage. The facilities were superb, in terms of green rooms, what a room with EVERYTHING you could need including pain relief. She really thought of everyone and welcomed everyone equally. 

Let us get to the music and the artists who played, taking us into the day and starting us off gently with some traditional country was an artist I was not familiar with. Alan West and friends. What a treat to gently start of the day with one of the most traditional sounding country voices and a great choice of classic traditional country songs with some top musicians joining him on stage. Paying hommage to some of the greats in country music, his set was class and an education in this genre in country. 

Donna Marie was up next with her set and I just love her performance in vocal, guitar and so much more, so so beautiful with some great songs in modern country with americana and folk. One of the most underrated artists in the UK scene who deserves a lot more recognition for the work she does solo and well as with Doveties. If you get a chance go and see her. 

The acts on the line up for the day continued with an excellent line up of the best the UK has to offer in the country scene and that alone needs mentioning, The UK country scene is growing and there are so many talented artists in the scene and beyond presenting the best the scene has to offer and seeing all these UK acts was a treat for all music fans as well as a celebration of the range of country music styles within the UK. Other highlights included seeing the gorgeous Tennessee Twin and their stunning harmonies mesmerise the audience as well as seeing the fabulous Geoff mead doing hosting duties and doing rather well. On the day a last minute change was Nia Nichols in the place of Bob Fitgerald from the list below. It was so good seeing her live, she is quirky, original and has a very unique voice and songs. Very quirky lyrics and talent and an artist you should go and look up. 

I mean just look at the line up above in the evening bringing the bands on stage after an acoustic first half and did the bands bring it! The Phoenix River band were very new to me, great singers and performers with powerful voices and many of them to produce a great sound to start of any evening party.  

Sarah Yeo herself organising the whole festival, planning everything and running around asking sure everyone was ok performed a full band set and slayed. I love Sarah's voice, it is so beautiful and she is an artist who deserves more attention and success so go and listen, check out and discover. 

Gasoline and Matches brought the house down as they always do, Steve and Sally are such a great team and with the band they brought the party. Steve plays a mean guitar as the saying goes so if you are anywhere near Birmingham uk you will see them and see them you must! 

The headliner needs no introduction these days. Kezia Gill is such a talented performer who hones her skills to any occasion whether it is with the band or acoustically, she literally brought the party as well as the feels with a few acoustic numbers she sang about her father and mental health. This woman is carving the way for many to add them to the likes of C2C and so much more. It is amazing to watch her any time she sings. She engages the audience so well you think she is singing just to you and you go away feeling better and wanting more. A sterling headliner and what a first festival for Sarah and the team. I for one cannot wait for the next one.

Finishing off as an after party the songs and stories collective did a writers round with a fire, marshmallows and treats to eat, we were all spoiled and here is to so much more of the same in the future. 

Sarah and the team thank you and see you next year! See YOU next year too in the audience! 

Sarah Yeo Website

West Country Music Festival Website website

Photos Little Ninja Photograpy. (Jill) Facebook

Jenny Colquitt Soldier of the Modern Day

Jenny Colquitt is one of those artists who you hear rarely in this music industry in terms of creating art and music about real life and the things we experience in life from day to day. She is one of the most skilled artists and songwriters Voice of a Woman has discovered since starting this journey over two years ago. Her craft is exemplary and now this

artist deserves the recognition and support that reflects this.

Jenny comes from a little town in the North West of England, Widnes. Jenny has rediscovered the love and passion for music throughout covid while live streaming and building a loyal fan base who show support and love for all she does. Jenny is working hard to pursue her goals and spread her music as far and wide as is possible and this is paying off with industry experts listening and helping her to get to the next level. Watch this space! 

Her debut album "Something Beautiful" was released in November 2021 showcasing four amazing singles, Dirty Town, Shape, Something Beautiful and God The Father. Touring support for this album included appearances at Beardy Folk Festival, Cornbury Festival and the most prestigious festival in the world Glastonbury. Jenny was personally invited to perform at the John Peel stage, backstage after the success of her solo performance at this festival.  For those that may not know John Peel was a radio one DJ who spent time discovering the best new and emerging independent musicians. Jenny has also won awards for best female singer songwriter from FATEA magazine and GSMC along with having her music on rotation in many stations and also a live session on BBC radio London with Salma El Wardany. 

Soldier of the Modern Day came out 15 July 2022 marks the start of new music from Jenny after the success of her debut album. What words can you sometimes find to do songs like this justice that make you think and are just superb on so many levels. 

This song starts gently drawing you in with guitar and a gentle sound of ambient strings and

the softest of vocals from Jenny asking some questions about this life we are living. This

ambience and use of instrumentation creating the atmosphere for this song, almost eerie like

and depicting a smoke like effect in my mind. 

"Is anybody out here, is anybody hearing us, is anybody round the corner, is anybody in

love?"

Jenny has such a great working relationship with Dave from Alibi Productions, who works closely with Jenny recording and producing her solo material,  and listening to all these songs you can hear such thoughtful work and care going into each and every

sound, lyric and meaning and where and when each instrument comes into the song. 

This single talks about being a soldier of the modern day using the

metaphor of a solider. "I want to be a soldier, solider of the modern day"; Not necessarily in

war as it is a metaphor for the trails and tribulations in the modern day world and how brave

and courageous we are in life as solders are in battle to keep going and survive and asking in my mind that we keep the

most vulnerable as safe as we can and go out there in whatever capacity we want to in life

and keep on battling, Sometimes we may win and sometimes we may not as the chorus

explores. 

 

"I don't mind this life of mine is killing me inside, I don't mind please take my body put it

on the line take my life don't take my children leave them 

all behind I don't mind this heart of mine it's frozen inside"

The song continues exploring these themes of battling life and what it entails in day to day activities. 

"Do you want to be a fighter, fighter for the human race" 

 

Jenny is so skilled at evoking strong emotions in all of her songs and this song is no different and the song builds and builds into the second chorus leading into the bridge.

The bridge brings in drums and crescendo to the final chorus where we hear the strength of

Jenny's vocals in this chorus to the climax of the song. 

There is so much skill and excellence to admire in this track from artist and producer. The

metaphor is using Soldier of the Modern day would make you think it could be about war and maybe it is in a sense but it goes deeper than that. How do we as human beings live in this modern world with all that goes on on a daily basis, how do we fight to protect ourselves and those we love? How do we protect the rights of human beings and defend their honour? How do we win these battles? How does this modern life affect us? What do

we think about? How do we protect and help the most vulnerable in our society, the children to enable them the skills and techniques they need in every way to fight the battles they fight on a daily basis. Life can be wonderful and life can be hard and as humans lets be courageous, strong, kind and caring as we fight each day.

This is another stunning example of the power and skill of Jenny as a Songwriter and performer and just shows the calibre of artist she is and is continuing to be on a daily basis.

Go check out this song on Spotify here and you can find more information about here here on her website.

Her next project is with her band ELY and you can now pre save their new single PAPA coming on 12 August.