Tag Archives: keyboard

Jo Ash : Mutation, EP released April 2025

A trio of new recordings from composer/singer Jo Ash, starting with ‘Fear’, a re-imagining of a standout song originally played by her rock band Derecho and since honed by live performances in her solo shows. With pacy keyboards and beats, bass notes pushing their way in and an urgency in the vocal it rolls through moody verses and powers into the killer choruses.

‘Raven Sky’ is one of Jo’s gentler storytelling songs, filled with atmosphere and foreboding. Sparse instrumentation eventually breaks out into bold sonic layers for the grand finale before drifting off into space. ‘Coda’ is a clever lyric full of questions over another fizzing electronic rhythm; it gets to twist and mutate towards the end. These three gems are a change of direction for this talented performer who is always pushing her music into uncharted territory.

http://www.joashmusic.com

Jo Ash : Idols, single released February 2024

The engaging new single from composer/musician Jo Ash muses on the ups and downs of fame, channelling the persona of a lone singer in the spotlight; with her rich vocal telling the story over a lush keyboard and percussive backing. The strong chorus cuts through as the emotional core of the track, ‘….What did she feel when they cried out for more…what did they do when she fell to the floor….and now they’re all gone…could she ever be lonely….’, the catchiness of the music hiding the darker tones within the lyrics.

This thoughtful song is accompanied by a video featuring Jo in multiple studio roles of performance and production as well as a cameo appearance on the wall from the cracked actor himself David Bowie, perhaps the ultimate musical idol?

https://www.joashmusic.com

Jo Ash, Commemoration Hall, Huntingdon, 13 July 2023

The atrium of this historic building was the venue for an acoustic evening with singer/songwriter Jo Ash, accompanied by piano and with guitar on some songs from fellow Derecho band member Mike Wheatley. It was an opportunity to hear a full range of songs from her back catalogue, including new material and covers.

Starting with the moody spikes of ‘Drama Queen’ from her recently released album ‘Growing, Flying, Falling’, it was then the cosmic expanses of ‘4D Journey’, featuring one of her most memorable choruses. The atmosphere-drenched waltz of ‘Innocence’ discreetly steals the show in the first part of the evening along with Jo’s join up of Bowie’s Space Oddity and her own rather gorgeous ‘Otherworldly’.

‘The Painter’ was the bluesy opener to the second set, featuring a vocal rich with understated emotion as was a cover of The Beatles ‘Across The Universe’. Derecho song ‘Fear’ is a lyrically neat poprock track and the newly recorded electronica of ‘Run’ works well when played acoustically. The grand finale waltz of ‘Blue Heart’ soared up into the high octagonal roof of this attractive and intimate venue; it was a superb evening of compelling and mesmeric music from this very talented performer.

http://www.joashmusic.com

https://www.commhall.org/

Jo Ash : Growing Flying Falling, LP released June 2023

A new album release from singer/songwriter and keyboard player Jo Ash, a follow-up to her twin EPs Matinee/After Dark from the end of 2021. Jo’s sound has developed to produce her strongest collection so far, from the electronic dramas of opener ‘The Phoenix’ with its impressionistic lyrical touches (‘… scarlet wings beat against the grey….looking out to an untouched maze…’) to the elegant beauty of solo piano and voice on ‘The Painter’; probably my favourite track on the collection.

Her self-production skills lend extra textures to the pulsing ‘Under The Sky’ followed by the moody ‘Tidal Wave’ with its elaborate orchestration fully realised. The gorgeous distant echoing sound of ‘Anybody’s Fool’ is framed by cello and gentle piano and features a subtly catchy chorus. ‘Apparition’ shows Jo’s baroque storytelling side while ‘The Willow Tree’ is driven by a strong melody and a confiding vocal.

The final two tracks show possible future directions; the pounding electronic sequencer and synthetic drums of the brilliant ‘Run’ and the acoustic guitar drifting around Jo’s soulful voice in ‘Under The Giants’. This is an excellent collection, full of light, shade, musical commitment and strong song-writing.

http://www.joashmusic.com

Forthcoming 2023 live dates….

02 July Aquafest, Ely, United Kingdom

07 July Ely Folk Festival 2023, Ely, United Kingdom

13 July Acoustic Night with Jo Ash, The Commemoration Hall, Huntingdon, United Kingdom

03 August The Acoustic Club, Bishop’s Stortford, United Kingdom