Jess Vincent - album launch - SHINE

Event information

"Shine sees Jess Vincent rising in stature as both a writer and performer of songs. An album that will last a lifetime and feel like it's ended too soon." Fatea Records

Wiltshire singer songwriter Jess Vincent has a highly original style which stands out and she is getting noticed: "Soulful, strong and utterly engrossing" says Mick Tems, Folk Wales; "uniquely and obliquely original" Rock'n'Reel R2.

SHINE, Jess's third album, is a collection of songs exploring themes of light, shade and survival, through what the album producer and renowned folk musician in his own right, Reg Meuross, describes as Jess's 'magical voice and exceptional and truly innovative songwriting talent'.

Some of the songs tell real life stories, such as 'Billy Tipton's Waltz' (Billy was a jazz pianist in the 1950s. Born biologically female, he lived his adult life as a man and became a very successful musician); 'New Amsterdam' is about silent movie actress Olive Thomas who died in mysterious circumstances and whose ghost is said to haunt the New Amsterdam Theatre to this day. 'Wind On The Down' is based on the beautifully tragic poem of that name by Marian Allen, written after her fiancé was killed when his plane was shot down in 1917. 'Charley's Song' was inspired by a friend of Jess's who is an officer in the army, and is a tribute to her bravery and the extraordinary responsibility that she, and other officers, takes on. Alongside these characters, Jess also brings us some more personal revelations 'Wrong Shade of Blue' and country style heartbreak 'Shackles and Chains'.

Jess delivers her songs with her unique and gorgeous voice, and 'Shine' presents her trademark subtle arrangements on guitar, baritone uke, shruti box, bass, harmonium, dulcimer, cello, accordions, piano, trumpet and percussion, revealing a maturity that belies her youth, yet allowing her vulnerability to shine through.