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New Album - HERE'S TO YOU
HERE'S TO YOU is Jo Jo's latest CD released June 2023. This album consists of 11 tracks written by many wonderful songwriters and composers. This CD was made from a seed of love, which grew and grew, into this sweet body of work. |
CD Review - David Bentley (Musician)
Jo Jo Smith’s rich and soulful voice has long been an inspiration to her fans and the musicians lucky enough to work with her.
This album captures a remarkable vocalist at the height of her powers: a diverse musical cocktail of 11 tracks that moves effortlessly through rhythm n blues, L.A. grooves, heartfelt ballads and contemporary country.
Jo Jo is that rare singer who covers a diversity of genres with consummate ease.
The album's leading track, Smooth Ride, delivers a no-nonsense groove. Pick It Up, which follows, offers a paean of praise to the power of dreams. Track three, Sneakin’ Out The Back Door showcases Jo Jo’s impeccable vocals and also pays homage to Greg Lyon’s brilliant bass playing.
Then there’s Before The Cold, an emotional lament that underlines Jo Jo’s ability to plumb the essence of a ballad. The inclusion of Neil Young’s Harvest Moon brings a pleasing change of pace with Michel Rose providing both strummed guitars and pedal steel.
Here’s To You references 50s doo wop, and is both a resonance of more innocent times and a powerful expression of love, sung with feeling plus plus.
Chinese Whispers, co-written by Greg and Rick Fenn, places Jo Jo in L.A.funk territory, a zone in which she is totally at home. Dig the interplay between Jo Jo’s scat vocal and Brendan St Ledger’s Moog.
Jo Jo continues in funky groove mode with It’s A Jungle Out There, a song ideally suited to her gritty rhythm n blues delivery. The band sounds great, with quirky solos from guitarist Aaron West and keyboardist Brendan St Ledger.
Carl Pannuzzo’s anthem, Nothing Stronger Than The Sun, finds Jo Jo in gently reflective mode, followed by Until We Meet Again, a cool L.A. influenced song by guitarist Paul Cheeseman (who performs on the track) and Rick Fenn.
Closing track, Sun’s Gonna Shine Again, co-written by Jo Jo and Greg Lyon makes a romping, uplifting finale to a beautifully produced album that has been a long time coming - but has been well worth the wait.
CD Review - Billy Pinnell (Melbourne-based Radio Presenter and Music Journalist)
What a pleasure it is for me to draw to your attention the release of a new album from one of our great female singers, Jo Jo Smith.
Recorded in the Byron Bay studio of musician/producer Greg Lyon who assembled an all star line up of North Coast songwriter/musicians, Jo Jo's soulful, expressive vocals bring to life songs that reference funk, gospel, soul, country, the spirit of Steely Dan and a cover of Neil Young's 'Harvest Moon'.
Jo Jo's new album is appropriately titled 'Here's To You', seek it out via the usual on line outlets and experience the talents of this great artist.
Jo Jo Smith’s rich and soulful voice has long been an inspiration to her fans and the musicians lucky enough to work with her.
This album captures a remarkable vocalist at the height of her powers: a diverse musical cocktail of 11 tracks that moves effortlessly through rhythm n blues, L.A. grooves, heartfelt ballads and contemporary country.
Jo Jo is that rare singer who covers a diversity of genres with consummate ease.
The album's leading track, Smooth Ride, delivers a no-nonsense groove. Pick It Up, which follows, offers a paean of praise to the power of dreams. Track three, Sneakin’ Out The Back Door showcases Jo Jo’s impeccable vocals and also pays homage to Greg Lyon’s brilliant bass playing.
Then there’s Before The Cold, an emotional lament that underlines Jo Jo’s ability to plumb the essence of a ballad. The inclusion of Neil Young’s Harvest Moon brings a pleasing change of pace with Michel Rose providing both strummed guitars and pedal steel.
Here’s To You references 50s doo wop, and is both a resonance of more innocent times and a powerful expression of love, sung with feeling plus plus.
Chinese Whispers, co-written by Greg and Rick Fenn, places Jo Jo in L.A.funk territory, a zone in which she is totally at home. Dig the interplay between Jo Jo’s scat vocal and Brendan St Ledger’s Moog.
Jo Jo continues in funky groove mode with It’s A Jungle Out There, a song ideally suited to her gritty rhythm n blues delivery. The band sounds great, with quirky solos from guitarist Aaron West and keyboardist Brendan St Ledger.
Carl Pannuzzo’s anthem, Nothing Stronger Than The Sun, finds Jo Jo in gently reflective mode, followed by Until We Meet Again, a cool L.A. influenced song by guitarist Paul Cheeseman (who performs on the track) and Rick Fenn.
Closing track, Sun’s Gonna Shine Again, co-written by Jo Jo and Greg Lyon makes a romping, uplifting finale to a beautifully produced album that has been a long time coming - but has been well worth the wait.
CD Review - Billy Pinnell (Melbourne-based Radio Presenter and Music Journalist)
What a pleasure it is for me to draw to your attention the release of a new album from one of our great female singers, Jo Jo Smith.
Recorded in the Byron Bay studio of musician/producer Greg Lyon who assembled an all star line up of North Coast songwriter/musicians, Jo Jo's soulful, expressive vocals bring to life songs that reference funk, gospel, soul, country, the spirit of Steely Dan and a cover of Neil Young's 'Harvest Moon'.
Jo Jo's new album is appropriately titled 'Here's To You', seek it out via the usual on line outlets and experience the talents of this great artist.
