Album review: TESS OF THE CIRCLE – Thorns

Cadiz Music [Release date 15.07.13]

While British male singer songwriter Tess Jones’ debut Magpie (2010) was an introspective acoustic based set, his follow up sees the addition of ‘the Circle’ – a collective of musicians that bring the ‘sounds of the seventies’ – the artists that influenced his formative years – Bowie, Zeppelin, The Doors – to take his music to the next level.

The Collective includes producer Chris Potter (The Verve, Richard Ashcroft, The Rolling Stones) and luminaries that have played Paul Weller, Stevie Nicks, James Morrison, Joan Armatrading, Ian Brown Amy Winehouse, Beth Orton, Nerina Pallot, Belle & Sebastian, Ash and Roxy Music.

With these credentials, there’s no space to blame the players. So it comes down to Tess – the singer, the songwriter and his songs. And previously unknown guitar player Lee Clifton whose demo – overdubbed versions of the album demos – impressed Tess like no other.

The result is that Thorns is a very ‘home-grown’ affair with an overall ambience that, in the same way as The Moody Blues, is quintessentially British. In very many ways it echoes elements of that band and that era, and it will be interesting to see whether those of a certain age who harp on about the demise of rock are prepared to give a new artist like Tess a chance.

Back ‘in the day’ Thorns would have undoubtedly propelled Tess onto a level that would have seen him selling out theatre venues in the UK. The musical world has since shifted on its axis, but those baby boomers who satiate their hunger with anniversary re-issues of 1970s albums would be advised to give Thorns a listen. They could be pleasantly surprised. ****

Review by Pete Whalley

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)