REVIEWS

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MAVERICK MAGAZINE

Jessica Blake last year returned from her idyllic life as a musician/native American jewellery supplier in sunny LA, to set up a country and western shop in London. One day she bumped into producer Ben Wright outside her store. They got together on a personal and professional basis, took a road trip back in the States and came up with this superb collection of country-rock songs. A sparkling debut akin to Tift Merrit's BRAMBLE ROSE. The serendipity of Ben and Jessica's meeting and their mutual love for the California highways is well replicated in their songs. 'Oh Susannah' kick starts the album with a blast of pure sing-a-long country magic - an ache for the open road matching the anticipation of the unknown. 'Her things packed up and ready to go. We're leaving tonight,' sings Jessica, with pace and celebration, while guitars swerve around her brassy voice like headlights on the road. 'Thank you for the ride' is a more metaphorical take on the traveling theme, though equally upbeat and unashamedly happy, as are most of the tracks. 'Heart Driven Mind' seques into a horn garnished adventure under the stars as Jessica's character strays south of the border looking for love. And as the gorgeous acoustic campfire melody of 'You Can Stay' reminscent of Gram Parsons and Emmylou is a neat little repast for the road weary. 'I spent a long time going here and there with no one, now I found you and I am holding on'. It's well worth the trip.

COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE

'Take Your Time' kicks off with a vengeance with 'Oh, Susannah', a forceful rocker with Beatles-like reverse guitar loops that is a far away from Stephen Foster as you can imagine. The production on 'Take Your Time' is heavily layered and the songs are essentially rock songs. 'Thank You For the Ride' is a jaunty piece with a fair hook and swings amiably, 'If This Is Wrong' has a light, skipping 'Gentle on my Mind' feel, 'You Can Stay' features strummy guitar and a big sing-a-long chorus...Now returned from the States we're promised personal appearances. Check her out for yourself.

AMERICANA-UK.COM

Announcing itself with treated guitars, strummed acoustics, harmony vocals and a stomping chorus, this new label and artist makes quite an entrance. It's not easy to meld the straight forward country song templates with alt-country arrangements - 'Oh Susannah' - shows the possibilties, the guitars soaring to crescendo and crashing whilst Jessica concentrates on belting out a good tune. This is music for convertibles; it constantly drives forwards - 'Thank you for the Ride' barely takes a breath between verse and chorus, and the guitar break is the Mavericks with added nandralone. All the songs strive for immediate impact, which is great...another British label and artist to look out for'.