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Over the past two years I have been able to follow the activities leading up to Burn So Bright. Jane Willow played a living room show in August 2019 where she already played some of the songs now released on record. In the months that followed this show she released a few singles and while the lockdown lasted and lasted, live renditions from her favourite songs from her room. In the fall of 2020 she announced a funding action, announcing her debut album. Money allowing her to finish it, covering some of the cost up front. Photos of mixing activities on Twitter, until finally those who had participated in the crowdfunding received a link to MP3s some weeks ago.
Releasing a record is all about investing in many different details that most people never even think of. Investments that can only be returned upon after the release, through sales and live shows. Judging the quality of the songs on Burn So Bright this ought to be a serious option.
My first impression is easy to formulate. Burn So Bright is a beautiful and intimate album. On the final qualification some bits could be taken away from when focusing on a few details within songs, but overall it is intimate. The kind of album to listen to, as in really listen. To enjoy Jane Willow's voice, the soothing arrangements, the songs as a whole, the little details. All together they create an album that delivers all that Jane Willow promised in the live show, on her mini album and the singles.
But, the way the album starts is definitely not so intimate. It comes in with a bang: Here I am. The strings cook up an acoustic storm, 'A Day In The Life' in reverse as it were. Not one note held forever but all instruments intermingling, creating chaos. With firm drums and electric guitars laying down accents 'This Free Life' surely is an opening song that draws attention to the album. At the same time it is a folk song, a powerful one, but a folk song nonetheless.
On the album Jane Willow shows a few sides to herself. From folk songs with a more poppy nature, to Nick Drake influenced songs and from serious ballads to lighter songs, musically, not necessarily lyrically. In her lyrics she shows herself as searching, longing even, for true love, "I miss the mornings when you said I love you so", but also recognition. No line in her songs underscores this feeling better than "I have this music and I want the world to know", from 'Let There Be Light', with a brilliant video showing how beautiful her adopted country, Ireland is. Yes, adopted, as Jane Willow is from Breda in The Netherlands, having moved to Dublin ten years ago to pursue her love for the music there.
By now it is time to mention that Jane Willow managed to work with Joe Csibi as arranger. Someone who usually works with a classical orchestra. It certainly paid off, as the arrangements swirl. They make the songs come so much alive. From full force to ever so subtle in the most delicate sections of 'Let There Be Light'. Csibi really caught the feel of the song in his arrangement, embellishing it in a beautiful way.
On the album there are two duets, one musically, with Steve Wickham's violin, who plays as if 'Hands On My Hips' is a song on my favourite The Waterboys' record, 'Room To Roam' and one vocal duet with Pat Byrne, who lends his deep voice to 'In Your House There'. Both adorn the album with an extra charm. Not that it needs it. Jane Willow's charms would have sufficed. Now they are there the album simply scores some extra points.
Nick Drake's ghost visits us through 'Linger Here'. The song captures Nick Drake's legacy in a perfect way. Again the arrangement, this time by Marco Francescangeli, is so strong. Again Jane Willow shows that she really wanted the best within her reach, with no compromise, no matter the consequences. The ambition totally paid off
With 'The Fool' Burn So Bright has its most brightly burning song. Uptempo and simply fun to listen to. No matter how personal the song is thematically, Jane Willow has turned the song into a musical feast for all. Of course the song is around for some time already as a single. This takes nothing away from the power it holds within it. 'The Fool' spells hit single if you ask me. Who makes sure the single is delivered on the doorsteps of influential disk jockeys?
To expand on my opening remark. Burn So Bright is the debut album of an ambitious and accomplished singer-songwriter who is ready for the next step in her career. As soon as possible there will be a new living room show but I truly hope that after that it will become totally impossible to have one with Jane Willow ever again. Due to success of course. Go on and listen, as this album is beautiful.
Wout de Natris
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