JENNY GOODSPEED: Under the Ash Tree

Jenny Goodspeed

Under the Ash Tree

© 2008 Shearwater Music (687474184421)

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A sparkling mix of folk, pop, and Americana drawing on influences from 70's era singer/songwriters like Joni Mitchell and Bruce Cockburn. Exquisite vocals, beautifully-crafted lyrics, and heart-breaking melodies abound.

notes

"...Just folk enough to sound authentic and just pop enough to keep the attention of the ever-shuffling iPod crowd. With a voice as soft as velvet (and almost as rich), soft vocals, lulling guitars and harrowing cellos are laid out gently, like jewels, each getting a chance to glimmer."
--Fairfield County Weekly (CT)

"This is a sparkling folk-pop album guaranteed to brighten your day. Her wry comments about relationships seem personal, but universal enough that you'll find yourself thinking, "How did she slip into my life?"
-- Minor 7th

It's not often a new artist emerges with a debut record completely formed and beautifully produced, full of tender and concise language, all executed in a gorgeous, mature voice. Jenny Goodspeed has achieved just that on her debut CD "Under the Ash Tree" - a delicious mix of folk, pop, and Americana, drawing on influences from 70's era singer-songwriters like Joni Mitchell, Bruce Cockburn, and Laura Nyro. Well-crafted lyrics, exquisite vocals, and heart-breaking melodies abound as Goodspeed explores the intricacies of love and longing, all definitively steeped in her beloved New England landscape.

"All but two of the songs were written when I returned to the Northeast after a 10-year detour in the Midwest and West," Goodspeed explains. "So more than anything, the record is a love letter to New England and its infinite kinds of trees, spring peepers, foggy mornings...everything I felt starved for while out West."

Under the Ash Tree just debuted at #12 on the Roots Music Report Folk Top 50 and has been added to the playlists of over 75 folk and AAA radio stations in 30 states.

Engineered and co-produced by Mark Thayer at Signature Sounds Studio in Pomfret, CT, Goodspeed is backed by Jim Henry (Tracy Grammer, Mark Erelli) on acoustic guitar, Richard Gates (Patty Larkin, Suzanne Vega) on electric bass, Eric Platz on drums, Duke Levine (Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Jonatha Brooke) on electric guitar, and Beth Amsel on harmony vocals.

reviews

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  • Intoxicating & Addictive!
    author: Bob Muller

    This is the most pleasant musical surprise I've had in 2007 - there's nothing about the album I don't like. Jenny's songs are all comfortable-sounding, but still challenging. Just when you think you know where she's going, musically or lyrically, she makes a hard turn in another direction. Her voice is a wonderful combination of strength & fragility, and the production is superb, each song differentiated by unique musical colorations. Thanks Jenny for a solid collection of songs that I'll always treasure.

  • Under the spell's more like it
    author: Annette

    I really enjoy listening to this blend of both soothing and rockin' songs! Like a female Johnny Cash, Jenny's sultry, sexy stories with an attitude pull you right in. The harmonies are beautiful!

  • Under The Ash Tree
    author: Lesmond

    This is a superb piece of work. Beautiful melodies, excellent instrumentation and a lovely, lovely sound. And I think this work will stand the test of time believing it will sound as good ten and twenty years hence as it does now. My favourite is With June Comes the Memory.

  • Under The Ash Tree
    author: Suze

    When I listen to this CD I can feel the influence of the East Coast, Maine in particular, as highlighted on the beautiful 'Mainesong'. Jenny's gorgeous voice punctuates her perceptive lyrics. The layered harmonies that are created intertwine with excellent session guitar and evoke the rocky seashore. Welcome Home has become a personal favorite, with the catchy chorus cajoling the listener, daring you to try and NOT sing along with this lovely tune. Upbeat guitar, mandolin and harmonies make this song a great closer to an excellent CD. The Good Daughter highlights a wonderful duet with the equally talented Beth Amsel. These two voices combined are a powerhouse, and truly punctuate the creative lyrics. The song I have known the longest, Under the Ash Tree, remains one of my all time favorites. This anthem to being alone is one of the best break up songs ever. Beautifully arranged harmonies, again a theme on this CD, anchor these excellent lyrics. Do you sense a theme here? Well, yes! This CD is a wonderful listen, from the first strains of Under the Ash Tree to the last breath of Welcome Home. I dare you to not sing along!

  • Under The Ash Tree
    author: anita.tedder@dsl.pipex.com

    I have to confess to having seen Jenny first sing in 2003 and loved her song 'Jonah' from the very first hearing - but I was completely unprepared for just how accomplished this album feels. The song 'Broken' is totally brilliant. A great chorus with a fine, memorable lyric and a haunting presence. Alongside this, there are songs of great joy. The beautiful harmonies of 'Ease into Love' come as a real surprise, 'The Good Daughter' will speak to women everywhere and then you can smell the salty sea rolling in on 'Mainesong'. I am totally with Bob Ryan on this and, just for the record RJ, there are a fair few of us who knew her first. But WELCOME TO THE CLUB. Well done, Jenny. Be proud. Your album is GREAT!!! Love, Anita G

  • Under The Ash Tree
    author: Bob Ryan

    I have really enjoyed "Under the Ash Tree," a lovely album with a strong, steady groove and a definite sense of place running through its lyric tale. Jenny Goodspeed's voice has a soothing, mellow feel, able to sound mature and strong without sacrificing vulnerability. That coupled with her thoughtful, literate writing makes the CD worth many repeated listens. And she's got a heck of a band – tasty without being showy and always respectful of the song. The production is clear and open, with a consistent sound color through the whole thing... And I have to say I give great Kudos to anyone who can take something like Joni Mitchell's "The Arrangement" and do it up in a way that is so different from Mitchell's version and yet appropriate. Goodspeed really makes that song her own. I loved it.

  • Under The Ash Tree
    author: RJ

    Sometimes you get to find something and you think ‘How come I’m the first to find this?’ Running through loads of music, like I do, I played theses songs and noticed I felt really moved. Yup, this woman has something going on. You can hear the Joni influence and, indeed, she covers a Mitchell song ‘The Arrangement’, but really adds her own twist and, in my book, sings it better! There are a couple of this artist’s songs ‘Broken’ and ‘Jonah’ that made my gooses bump. The musicianship is first rate. Check it out. I am going to go away and say’ I found her first!’ You may now play these and be green………

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