bright young folk

Crosses

Jess Morgan

2009 EP

the bright young folk review

Jess Morgan’s single ’Crosses’ is a four-track demonstration of her skills and versatility as a young singer-songwriter. The songs show versatility in style, from the contemplative ’Crosses’ to the folksy Americana of ’Who Killed Cock-Robin’.

On first listen I wasn’t sure where Jess sat on the sliding scale of folk to acoustic music, but further contemplation on both the songs and the eternal ’what is folk music?’ question, made my mind up that I like what I hear.

Strangely, for me, the slightly mournful strains of the titular track ’Crosses’ makes it my least favourite. Much more preferable is ’Pamela’, with its tale involving a war veteran and rather jovial tune. ’Gut-row’ slows the pace but gives a wonderful nod to the traditional cannon using the melody of ’Molly Malone’ briefly each chorus. A beautiful device for tying old to new.

Jess has recorded her first full-length album, so it will be interesting to see how the variety displayed on this four-track plays out across a longer disc. Certainly her voice and musicality mean I will be watching with interest to see what she comes up with.

Liz Osman

Released through Amateur Boxer 0n 10 July 2009.

1. Crosses
2. Pamela
3. Gut-Row
4. Who Killed Cock-Robin?

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Crosses - Jess Morgan
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Reviews

I’ve had Crosses a few weeks now and keep on listening to it! Pamela would be my favourite track.

Jax Burgoyne
Bright young user

Jess Morgan’s "Crosses" sounds as if recorded by a well established artist; honed over years of roaming and plying the trade. To hear that it is of a relative new comer is somewhat suprising. Her lyrics cut right to the bone, and stand high above most of the hazy emotional prose peddled by some of her contemporaries. Also, she has a wonderful and individual way of setting these words to music that only serves to set her further apart. I hear her first full album is imminent, I shall be first in line....

Gren
Bright young user

Bought this at a gig and can’t put it down. Phenomenal young lady with a beautiful voice. Definitely someone to keep your eyes and ears on! (all tracks top quality, personally Who Killed Cock-Robin is my top tune)

Bob
Bright young user

Having had the pleasure of seeing and hearing Miss Morgan at one of her gigs, I was sold on the chance to take a bit of it away with me. The EP does indeed show that their are many strings to Jess’ bow, but I think the fact that she decided to make the more demure ’Crosses’ the single demonstrates perfectly the subtlety, depth and maturity of her songwriting. Instead of releasing an obvious sound-alike single like so many other ’artists’ sans-credibility, Jess has once again bucked the trend and reeled you in so that after listening to the EP, and in particular the single, you are left sharing the belief and confidence in her songs that she clearly has herself. I’ll definitely be keeping an ear out.

Dan
Bright young user

Jess Morgan’s long awaited debut album is recorded, in the can and ready for a bright pair of ears to stumble upon, preferably someone with distribution connections, and one who is prepared to get this ball rolling. In the meantime Jess has managed to finance the release of a single/EP, call it what you will, in order to tantalise your musical taste buds...

Full review and interview at www.allanwilkinson.co.uk

Northern Sky
Bright young user

Saw this girl at Grapevine last week in Norwich. Absolutely stonking performance with some of the best lyrics i’ve heard in a long time.

If she doesn’t go far - I’ll eat my hat!

Craig Nevenes
Bright young user

Jess came over to play for us in Bedford a little while ago and this EP is a delightful example of what she has to offer the listener. Each of the four tracks offer something a little different with Pamela being my personal favourite on the last play, but it would only be fair to point out that this does change nearly every time. If Jess is ever playing in a venue near you be sure to check her out, your ears will thank you in the morning.

Jez
Bright young user

a fabulous E.P. every track a winner...she totally won Bedford over at Harpurs...Can’t wait to see her again

Pete Burridge
Bright young user

Bruce Springsteen would approve. Jess Morgan is fantastic on CD and even better live. I was lucky to see her in Bedford recently where she played all the tracks on the EP, some tracks off the LP and a couple of tracks that had only previously been played to the Bruce Springsteen poster on Jess’s wall. How do I know? she told us, all of us lucky enough to be in the audience that night. And then I had to buy the EP!

I’m looking forward to seeing and hearing Jess again soon.

Stephen Lovell
Bright young user

just seen this one in Bedford playing before Eileen Rose. great lyrics. does anyone know if she has an album out?

Chris Twell
Bright young user
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