P R E S S
“One of contemporary music’s best-kept secrets, she is a revelation when you sit in on one of her concerts.”
“It’s rare to hear someone with such technical control turn notes blue without feeling as if they’re calibrating just how blue to let them turn. But Jolly sings from an emotional place and her voice responds to what she’s seeking to express; it’s the sort of connection between soul and voice you hear in the singing of Patty Loveless, Bonnie Raitt and Joni Mitchell, and well worth hearing for yourself.”
“Her accomplished musicality, intimate lyrics, and passion and respect for the heritage of country, folk, and soul music smoothly blend together with elegant earthiness.”
“..while the Raleigh native may look like a composed Southern Grace Kelly, on stage, she gets down, with powerhouse vocals evocative of Linda Ronstadt and the ethereal harmonies of Alison Krauss.”
“Angels is a solid, warm, and varied album that will satisfy virtually all who are fortunate enough to listen.”
“One track sounds like Sade accompanied by shuffling beats and pedal steel twang; another like she’s out to embarrass all the pop-country poseurs on CMT. She can even cover that beautiful voice in grit and go all Lone Justice/Maria McKee for a guitar-fueled tearjerker, and there’s even a waltz where that opera training kicks in and knocks your socks off.”
“This is an ambitious album: Jolly covers an awful lot of ground here, keeps her bearings and when she pulls out all the stops, it can be breathtaking.”
“Not one of the songs on “Angels” should be considered filler. Every lyric is bona fide. Every verse is something she’s felt.”
“If you are a fan of the strong adult country music from the likes of Striking Matches, Joy Williams and Holly Williams, you’re sure to dig Jeanne Jolly’s “A Place To Run.” The 8-track album features strong opener “Matches and Gasoline (which showcases her Emily West-like vocals), single “California” and the stunning “The Dreamer.” These are songs that linger longer than the mainstream songs but the talent here is as good as anything on the mainstream and the songs may be even better (see “Circles In the Sky”).
“I recently had the pleasure of sharing a bill with Jeanne and was really knocked out by her voice, songs, and presence. I wasn’t able to prepare for my show because I was digging hers so much! She really covers a lot of ground with her material and she’s great at it!”
— Jim Lauderdale
MORE PRESS HIGHLIGHTS
from album “A Place to Run”
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“The former Angeleno’s second full-length album since returning to her native North Carolina is an aural feast of melody and rootsy textures. Props to guitarist/producer Chris Boerner for sympatico, R&B-dappled arrangements that burnish the Americana songstress’s instinct for groove (the earthy “Boundless Love,” “Gypsy Skin”) and powerfully expressive soprano, which spins from the sensual poetry of “Matches and Gasoline” (“Whiskey kisses lit up like fireflies”) to breathy sweetness (“Good Man”) and righteous indignation (“Without You”). Jolly harnesses all that vocal firepower to piercing effect for “California,” which becomes a revelatory symbol for loss and life-transforming change. A gem.”
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“Jolly’s got one of those beautiful voices that would sound good singing just about anything. Fortunately she’s also an accomplished songwriter as well, and that helps make “A Place to Run” truly special. Among the many highlights of the too-short eight-track, 35-minute platter are “Matches and Gasoline,” “Gypsy Skin,” “Boundless Love,” personal favorite “Without You” and “Circles in the Sky.” Do yourself a favor and track down a copy of this fantastic release. You won’t regret it.”
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“Soulful country, delivered with an appealing touch of vocal savvy, is the calling card of Ms. Jolly. The Raleigh-based singer-songwriter shifts emotional gears as seamlessly as her smartly crafted lyric sets require, at times conjuring a young Ronstadt. Standouts include “Gypsy Skin”, “Boundless Love” and “Without You.”