Jess Morgan
WHO?
It takes something special and a little different for one person with one guitar to make a mark in the world of music. And playing country with an English accent in the Norfolk music scene is still a pretty rare sighting. Jess Morgan has provided us with songs of quality and warmth for many a year now, and for fans of her storytelling style there is a treat in store - a new album Edison Gloriette has just been released. It’s full of Jess classics and proof that she is now firmly established as a treasure in our midst. We first met Jess freshly out of music college and back in Norfolk several years back, and whilst she has travelled the country and USA in the meantime her country county of choice is still here.
WHAT?
Jess is all about catching glimpses of people’s lives and magnifying them for us to explore. Relationships, personal crises and conflicts are all told with her distinctive voice and a guitar sound that allows us space to take in the stories she sets out before us. “I’m writing songs all the time and I absolutely love it,” Jess told us, now in a fortunate position to make music full time. The new album reflects that with a strong set of tracks from an artist who is letting her musical ability come more and more to the fore. We are even treated to a piano number this time around. The album was once again recorded in Norway. An unusual destination for a country singer perhaps, but when you find a producer and team that understand and like you it makes sense to return.
LIVE?
Mostly it is Jess and guitar. But of late she has been working with other musicians including double bass, keys and electric guitar. As nice as it can be for solo acts to be joined by others it can take time to get used to the altered dynamics. Jess says her approach is to let the musicians add to the party rather than simply telling them what to do. “I like people to be themselves,” said Jess. “I think musicians play best when they are doing what they feel the song needs.” And working with people she knows and trusts, such as long-time collaborator Noel Dashwood, means we see friends on stage, adding to the warmth and intimacy we’ve come to expect from a Jess Morgan gig.
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THE FUTURE?
So many good things have happened to Jess over the last year, touring the country establishing pockets of fans through her travels. The new album will be the main focus for now, of course, but one thing is for sure, this is a songwriter who will grace us with tales of life for many years to come.
