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I wanted to share this music discovery to you a long time ago, since Jennings released her 2007 album FEMTASTIC, then last week, I received in my mailbox something about Jennings… Time is to let you to discover Mary Jennings…
So let’s start by the beginning: Splitting her time between Nashville and New York, Mary Jennings, known as artist name JENNINGS is one of a rapidly growing collection of female vocalists and musical artists you have to watch (and to listen too), with her crystalline voice and her very accessible electronic-piano-pop style, drawing inspiration from musicians like Imogen Heap, Annie Lennox, Kate Bush and Moby, she brings a powerful voice to her songwriting and effortlessly weaves it all into the pop culture and just across the boundaries of the electronica world.
Some critics would compare her as a mix of Moby and Alicia Keys, i’m not really sure but as far as I’m concerned, I would take comparaison to Missy Higgins and maybe a little bit of Brit artist Jem.
Jennings’ debuts in 2001 with a self-title album, although her writing began in high school, Jennings’ surge in musical expression started after the sudden death of her mother. This first project was followed by Recovery in 2003. Both released by her own No Sass Publishing, they remain available today online. The two-CD Femtastic project was released in 2007. The second and unadvertised bonus CD is a smaller collection of stripped down versions of songs on the primary CD in the project.
follow-up to 2007’s Femtastic, her latest release is the Storybook EP, a five track collection of new material pressed in late 2008. “Her most accurately reflection of her current artistic direction“, says Jennings.
Storybook opens with ‘Doorway‘, a song of time and place focusing on the distinct lack of movement between two people with more potential romance than actual. The plaintive piano part that drives the song seems to evoke the sense of waiting for the tide to change. ‘Figure Me Ou’t is a Paula Cole style confessional that has the same emotional edginess featured in ‘Doorway‘. This one has a strong commercial feel without abandoning Jennings’ singer/songwriter ethic. ‘Hero’ shows some Tori Amos influence (ala Past The Mission). Jennings shows just how accomplished a story teller she is without getting too wordy or prosaic. The arrangement is perhaps a bit too predictable but overall it’s a good listen.
‘Your Way‘ has a nice ethereal setting, walking the line between Sarah McLachlan and Enya with a melody line that stands out from the textured vocal/instrumental arrangement. This is the most sonically interesting track on Storybook and would make the EP worth owning even if it were the only track. Jennings closes out Storybook with a song of raw devotion and commitment in ‘Umbrella‘. I used to hate the Rihanna’s version, but this one reconciled me with this song, very sweet, with a rhythmic component that’s as comforting as the message if not more so. ‘Umbrella‘ is an incredibly artful depiction of the state of mind of true love or friendship.
I really loved what I’m hearing. I ‘m sure you will too, so do yourself a favor and check her out.
01. Umbrella
About the author : Alias is a French self-made-man, multi-talented artist, he is also a music-producer, screen writer and artistic director for films. Read more from this author
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Simmental
says:
Wow!! It is really a great news on this topic.I never get tired of listening to all of his albums. Which reminds me it has been a few weeks since I’ve listened to any Shooter Jennings. Looks like I’ve got some listening to do.