THE DEEP DIVE WITH THOMAS H.
Vanessa Jones - "40 Reasons"

Hailing from the rolling hills and painted sunsets of beautiful Bridgton, Vanessa Jones Music speaks on a lifetime of love and learning on her debut LP, ‘40 Reasons.’ The odyssey–comprising twelve songs–captures the songwriter and multi-instrumentalist at her best, showcasing an intimate, though quite gregarious style. Polished by post-production, harmonies, and a small orchestra to boot, the intrepid pair of Jones–and her ever-present bass companion, Jerry Adams–weave Springtime and spells across a moving release. Delivering not just confident, ready vocals–but guitar, violin, and more than ten acoustic instruments, Jones has pushed through the soil to reveal herself as one of Maine’s most capable emerging songwriters. The album’s release and Vanessa Jones’ 40th birthday coincided on May 21st, as in her own words, this record “is really a reflection about the eclectic experiences that have gotten me through these forty years.” With further help from [director/educator] Josh Caron, Jones & Co. connect with song-bird joy and fairy-tale whims, making ‘40 Reasons’ a must-listen for any serious folk fans–or Maine music fanatics at large!

Shining bright, Vanessa Jones’ mellifluous brand of beaming, bard-like folk is the perfect compliment to her lyrical story-telling; in fact, I think it’s fair to say that ‘40 Reasons’ features a nostalgic, near-medieval style of troubadour antics, where one could readily imagine the singer captivating a rural tavern with her sense of mystery and melody. Painting the portrait of a life well-lived, each track is a tale unto itself; as such, the relationship between the numbers isn’t always clear, and the intoxicating lyrics–wisely vague and sparingly specific–seem to cast each song as an island of its own, though familiar themes in sound and sermon often reappear. Perhaps most impressive is the palpable sense of identity Jones’ exudes throughout, sounding as if this were her third major release, not her first. Whereas the bevy of overdubbed instrumentals and vocal harmonies add rich contour, it should be acknowledged that the project as a whole could benefit from a more central bass presence; Jerry Adams’ upright playing is understated and polite, the voice of a selfless musician who makes measured decisions to serve the song; while his approach is perfect for the occasion, I would make the case that more freedom, and even a melodic inflection, could spark a stronger dialogue between bandmates. However, their conversation is engaging and synchronous, a cornerstone of each and every song!

Guide Tones:

‘Letters’ - This sensitive opener introduces us to a woman, who, unlike she claims, is incredibly courageous. Embarking on a quest to collect and reflect, ‘Letters’ prepares us for the artful storytelling to come; speaking to the ‘other,’ Jones’ paints early pictures with rhythmic guitar and ear-worm melodies. Authentic from the jump, her introspective folk musings set the stage for the rest of the project–though what that means is only evident in the art. Building from the bottom, this song is a striking trio of vocals, guitar, and bass, not yet touched by the skilful orchestration to come. The tune’s closing lyrics hold significant weight, spilling over the end for that subtle extra emphasis.

‘Ticket to Nowhere’ - “I spent $500 on a ticket to nowhere; 300 nights of my whole life disappeared into the air…” Jones woefully croons, recounting responsibilities and regrets; violin, bright and bold, joins in on melody, speaking with gentle purpose. This tune shows Jones to be a straight shooter–honest and frank–totally at ease speaking candidly about life’s edges, smooth and rough. Sometimes dipping into spoken-word, Jones’ seabreeze voice is crisp and clear, helping her curious lyrics always stand out. Her penchant for traditional song structure lays a sturdy foundation, further helping ‘theme’ take a central place on the album.

‘Jump the Moon’ - This number belongs to Jerry Adams, who puts on a masterclass of tasteful, yet tenacious bass playing. A laid-back tune, it’s a slippery slope, easy to rush or drag–but the duo locks in, weaving counterpoint across marching stabs and dovetail words. Whereas Jone’s guitar playing tends to be more circular, Jerry Adams offered nimble, responsive bass playing–an impressive feat requiring attention, discipline, and a smile! Adams’ tone is warm and punctual, the natural voice for his bouncing phrases. “Not too loose, not too tight”--with balance, the bass remains strong enough to ground the duo while not overshadowing the vocals–although more bass is always welcome! At 4:50, ‘Jump the Moon’ requires some focus, but is well worth the time. While the middle of the tune grows even quieter, the ending comes alive, swelling to crescendo before imploding back into the minimalist lullaby of the introduction, just in timeto close things out!

It is with great grace and courage that Vanessa Jones shares ‘40 Reasons’ with the world! Wise and wonderful, the singer/songwriter has come alive at a time that, while maybe later in her life–is certainly early in her career. For love of plot and poetry, song and sound–give ‘40 Reasons’ a spin!

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