Share the post "Album review: JACKIE OATES – Gracious Wings"
Bandcamp [Release date 02.09.22]
Although this is Jackie Oates first album since 2018 she has been busy not least on the weekly online sessions with John Spiers (Bellowhead), who guests on a couple of songs on the album. For this, her eighth album, she is joined by guests including the aforementioned Spiers plus vocalist Simon Emmerson (Imagined Village, Afro Celt Soundsysytem), John Wilks (guitar), Mike Cosgrave (accordion, piano, guitar, mandolin), John Parker (double bass), Megan Henwood (guitar, vocals), Tom Crook (vocals) and Richard Evans (mandolin, whistle).
Reading through her bio she gains an extra point as she was born in Cheshire and raised in Staffordshire like this reviewer!
Jackie Oates certainly likes to cast her musical net wide and far. For those after a traditional folk fix the opening trio of ‘When I Was A Fair Maid’, ‘Robin Tells Of Winter/Gracious Wings’ and ‘Tammy Toddles’ will delight your ears and senses. The self-penned ‘Robin Tells Of Winter/Gracious Wings’ in particular is an uplifting and joyous listen.
‘La Llorana’ sees Jackie on a co-write with Megan Henwood, who also sings on the song. Based on their friend Amy Mason, it tells the story of coming of anti-depressants, first time pregnancy and travelling around Texas. Their vocals complement each other perfectly. John Spiers takes to the mic (and melodeon!) on ‘Iruten Ari Nuzu (I am Making Wool)’, which they both sing in the Basque language it was originally composed and written in.
Her cover of ‘On and On’ by indie band the Longpigs is a bit of genius, proving that a good song can be done in any musical genre or manner. The album closes with another cover, this time Tom Waits’s ‘Time Time Time’. Gentle double bass and guitar provide a sublime backing to Jackie’s singing where she is joined by Simon Emmerson and Tom Crook on backing vocals. Impressive and thensome.
Jackie Oates is regarded as one of folk’s leading lights and you can see why as her latest album has enough to please the traditional folkie and more importantly, appeal to those who wouldn’t normally listen to folk music and are drawn in by the fine singing and musicianship that can be heard. ****
Review by Jason Ritchie
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Latest session: Sunday 14 April
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 14 April 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 9 April 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 29 April 2024
BRIGITTE PURDY Sugar Fried Candy (Dirtshack Records)
ATTIC THEORY The Legacy (indie)
THE HOWLERS I Need Your Love (indie)
VELVETEEN QUEEN Bad Reputation (indie)
WILLS AND THE WILLING Scuffed Knees (Smash & Grab Music Ltd)
READY THE PRINCE Still Believe (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 29 April 2024
09:00-12:00 PRAYING MANTIS Defiance (Frontiers)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023
To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to an X (Twitter) account
Popular (last 10 days)
Share the post "Album review: JACKIE OATES – Gracious Wings"
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
