Album Notes

Anything that can be said about Jessica Radcliffe doesn't quite seem to do her justice. She is a poet, a pagan, a shaman, a singer steeped in tradition and a songwriter of deeply personal songs that illuminate the human experience and can also make you catch your breath with their beauty.

Jessica was born in Los Angeles and was exposed to a diverse wealth of music through her family of Irish and Spanish heritage. She recalls learning Leadbelly tunes from her grandfather, who had a brief stay in jail with the blues legend. Jessica began writing poetry at an early age and naturally ventured forth into music playing her first show at thirteen. Her writing has been published worldwide and she has performed extensively with spoken word and song throughout the US, the United Kingdom, Europe, Japan and Hong Kong.

Jessica has moved twelve times in the past twenty years: from London to Ithaca, NY, and on to Northern California, where she established a built-in following, to New Orleans, to England, and she is now living back in New Orleans. Her work has been greatly influenced by her journeys.

The St. Louis Post observed of Jessica: "She writes lyrics that transform her life experiences into eloquent tales and metaphors." With music that is deeply rooted in the traditional music of England, Ireland, and North America, Radcliffe renders her very contemporary take on tradition, by infusing it with the varied influences of Richard Thompson, Skip James, Rickie Lee Jones and Billie Holiday. Jessica's superb songwriting, singing and stagecraft makes for unforgettable performances, whether live or recorded. She has made a series of critically acclaimed recordings, is a mother of three and her magical dinner parties are the stuff of legend!

She was married for 19 years to English guitarist Martin Simpson and has now returned to us with a voice as delicate and as strong as a spider's web, and a powerfully compassionate observation of the human condition.