JO HARROP

THE PATH OF A TEAR

Lateralize Records

Jo Harrop, vocals/composer; Larry Klein, bass/producer; Anthony Wilson, guitar; Victor Indrizzo, drums/percussion; Jim Cox, piano/Fender Rhodes/Hammond B-3 organ; David Piltch, bass.

Here is an artist that immediately snatched my attention with her very first song called “Beautiful Fools.”   What a great and unique title!  I grabbed the CD package to see if Jo Harrop was the songwriter.  Yes!  She co-wrote this tune with Ian Barter and it’s a winner, well-produced by Larry Klein. It ambles into my listening room at a moderate shuffle with Jo Harrop’s voice floating atop the wonderful track with her own unique tone and style.  The melody is strong, with lyrics that are poignant and expressive.  Anthony Wilson takes an impressive guitar solo, accentuating the mood and beautifully supporting Harrop’s vocals.

With the stack of vocal releases I hear every day, I’m always hopeful, but usually disappointed. The majority of singers who claim the title of jazz singers are not jazzy at all. They are cabaret singers who sing the standards. There’s nothing wrong with that. I love a good cabaret singer.  But a jazz singer first and foremost has a unique style, can swing, can sing the root of jazz that’s “the blues” and it is always a plus if they compose songs.  Joe Harrop does all of that.  This first song could easily become a hit song that crosses genres, because Ms. Harrop leans heavily towards Pop Jazz. I think “Beautiful Fools” is a song that others would love to ‘cover.’

Harrop follows this with another original she co-wrote with Hannah V.  It’s a blues called “Whiskey or the Truth” and has a gospel, churchy arrangement, showcasing her R&B vocal side.

Jo Harrop is a bluesy, soulful, English singer. This is her fourth album on the London-based jazz label, Lateralize Records. She is respected as one of the most distinctive singer/songwriters in British jazz.  She cut this current album in Los Angeles with bassist and renowned producer, Larry Klein. Klein was intoxicated with her singing the very first time he heard her.

“Jo is a natural talent.  Her singing and songwriting come straight from her heart.  This kind of honesty is what compels me most in art,” Larry Klein expressed his appreciation of Harrop’s talent.

This is an album of original music with eight songs that Harrop has penned or co-written, including three songs that Klein chose for her to sing; songs by Leonard Cohen, Leon Russell (‘If It Wasn’t for Bad’ made popular by Elton John), and a song by Steve Earle.  Harrop wrote the title tune, “The Path of a Tear” with French composer and guitarist, Greg Soussan. Every now and then I hear her slide beautifully up to a note, the comfortable way Aretha Franklin used to sing. That takes a special artistic talent. I read that Aretha was one of her influences along with Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, and Tony Bennett. I also hear a little bit of Bonnie Raitt in her vocal delivery.  Jo Harrop’s definitely a crossover artist, who can sing just about anything.

I can’t wait to hear what Harrop produces in the future. Former releases include “Weathering the Storm” and critically acclaimed albums “The Heart Wants” and “When Winter Turns to Spring.”  Jo Harrop is a multi-talented singer/songwriter to watch on her climb towards the stars.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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