Description
Soul. Blues. Gospel. Beatles-worthy pop. These are the core ingredients of Jo Harmans People We Become, a modern album rooted in the classic, timeless music of past generations. It was recorded in Nashville with legendary producer Fred Mollin (Carol King, Billy Joel,Rumer and Carly Simon etc)
Raised in Southwest England, Harman found success on her own terms with her debut, Dirt On My Tongue. The album was released independently in 2013 and supported by a touring schedule that found Harman sharing the stage with icons like Patty Smith, Joan Baez and Sinead OConnor. Wildly successful for an independent record, Dirt On My Tongue was embraced with particular devotion by the blues community in the U.K., with Harman racking up more than a half-dozen nominations from the British Blues Awards.
Looking to expand her horizons beyond any single genre, though, she began teaming up with her longtime co-writer, Mike Davies, to write new songs that took their cues from some of the classic artists including Carole King, Cat Stevens and David Bowie whose music had filled her childhood home.
Poignant and personal, tracks like Silhouettes of You, Changing of the Guard, and Person of Interest find Harman moving through the stages of a breakup. Shes heartbroken one moment, forever reminded of a relationship thats fizzled out, and empowered the next, eager to explore what lies ahead with emboldened purpose.
Other tracks cast a broader net, with the stomping, percussive Reformation taking influence from Harmans work with Amnesty International. Backing her up are some of Nashvilles best session players, whose contributions bounce between smoky, soulful ballads and brassy, Motown-tinged anthems.
On an album that features performances by award-winning players like Tom Bukovac, Greg Morrow, and Gordon Mote as well as a guest appearance by the Doobie Brothers frontman, Michael McDonald, who lends his harmony vocals to the Seventies-worthy soul of When We Were Young the most striking instrument is Harmans voice. Its an instrument thats been sharpened by her years on the road, and its never sounded better.
Sometimes you hear a voice that leaves you speechless Huey Morgan, Radio 2
On course to be the finest female soul and blues vocalist in the UK Gavin Martin, The Daily Mirror
One of my favourite singers Robert Elms, BBC London
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