Saturday, 5 November 2022

Jamie O'Neal - Spirit & Joy


50 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

Buy Spirit & Joy here (external link)

One of the bonuses as being as smitten with festive musical fare as I am is it means you take a chance on artists you might not have otherwise discovered. Australian singer-songwriter, Jamie O'Neal certainly falls into that category - this Brit boy hadn't heard of her before a Twitter pal recommended I give her new Christmas album, Spirit & Joy, a spin. Now I'm not only immersed in the Christmas revellings of this glorious new opus but also exploring her latest album Sometimes (with its searing single Wreck Me a definite highlight). On Spirit & Joy Jamie brings together songs from last year's Christmas You EP (which criminally I missed), some old favourites re-done in her own style and a few new recordings - all designed to make you twinkle like the brightest stars on the tree.

The album opens with Christmas - a track with evocative lyrics set to country style guitar and lilting piano. Jamie's expressive voice paints a beautiful Christmas Card picture, leaning into emotion of the words. It's a beautiful lullaby that sets the tone of the album perfectly. Christmas You highlights the diversity of styles Jamie can tackle whilst making everything feel cohesive. It starts off with a bluesy vibe that soon blossoms into an easy groove finger click rhythm that feels like you are on a sleigh ride with a mellifluous melody playing. She's joined by hubby Rodney Good on Please Come Home for Christmas, imbuing the holiday classic with a vital passion that is blended with an aching yearning. Their harmonies (when their voices entertwined in combined wish fulfilment) are just luscious. 

White Christmas starts as a heavenly piano-vocal duet, a moment of pensive reflection that swathes Jamie's voice in shimmering joy. The addition of a percussion ups the pace, as if Jamie has drawn strength from the evergreen words. It makes an insightful production of a much-loved favourite. I'll Be Home for Christmas adopts a similar style that makes it a lyrical if not spiritual conclusion to a trilogy of songs expertly placed next to each other on the album. If this was a vinyl album then the b-side would start with Gulf of Mexico; a sunny, breezy take on how to make Christmas work in hotter weather. I'm cold blooded by nature but Jamie sure makes this seem an exciting proposition. Maybe she can sing Do You Hear What I Hear on the white sands - she's joined by daughter Aliyah as well as Jimmy & Melissa Murphy on this acoustic carol. Its a slow burn build with layered vox that soars as high as the stars in the sky.

Christmas To Me tells the tale of how sometimes the onslaught of the season can be a bit to much but, letting love in (particularly from that special person in your life) can help the magic of the holidays shine through. Its an enchanting year round instrumental with festive themed lyrics. Jamie's version of River has long been critically applauded; there's such authenticity to the gentle guitar and her truly nuanced singing. She may wish for a river to skate away on, but the rest of us are transported into her world - if just for the length of the song. Ensuring an upbeat ending, Jamie brings along Collin Raye for a duet take of Silver Bells. Their voices blend like honey into hot chocolate - such respect for the source material in every pitch perfect note. A magical conclusion. 

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