"Jenny
Goodspeed is just folk enough to sound authentic and just
pop enough to keep the attention of the ever-shuffling iPod
crowd. With a voice as soft as velvet (and almost as rich)...soft
vocals, lulling guitars, and harrowing cellos are laid out
gently, like jewels, each getting a chance to glimmer."
"Under
the Ash Tree is a collection of folk-pop tunes with personal
lyrics that deal with love and heartbreak. Goodspeed sings
in a voice vaguely reminiscent of Joni Mitchell (she covers
the Mitchell tune "The Arrangement" on the album),
but the comparisons end there as her striking melodies and
honest, insightful lyrics are every bit her own. The disc
opens with the sweeping melody of the title track but then
goes to a number of different styles, high-lighted by the
country influenced "The Good Daughter," the lovely,
wistful "With June Comes the Memory" and the rollicking
"S-Curve Roads" with Duke Levine's subtle mandolin
work in the background. We are fortunate to live in an
area that is rich with talented singer-songwriters and we
can now add Goodspeed to this esteemed group."
-- Sheryl
Hunter, The Recorder (Greenfield, MA)
"This
is a sparkling folk-pop album guaranteed to brighten your
day and sure, there's a few sad ballads but nothing so
maudlin it'll drag you down. With a style reminiscent of Catie
Curtis but with an airier soprano, her wry comments about
relationships seem personal but universal enough that you'll
find yourself nodding your head and thinking, "How did
she slip into my life?" Her creative melodies often go
where you don't expect but without sounding incongruous. Standout
cuts include "Compass," with its rolling finger
picked guitar over a bed of cello and "The Good Daughter,"
about casting off expectations. The latter features a cool
banjo played by Duke Levine (Mary Chapin Carpenter, Jonatha
Brooke) who also offers electric guitar and mandolin. At the
end is "S-Curve Roads," an upbeat piece about going
home."
"Once
I looked at the credits on the CD liner, I was no longer surprised
at the aural excellence surrounding Jenny Goodspeed's perfectly
shaped, passionate vocals. Signature Records -- Always quality.
There's Jim Henry and Duke Levine on guitars. Beth Amsel on
backup vocal, Seth Glier on keyboards. There's a solidity
to Goodspeed's lyrical poetry and more than a little bit of
Joni Mitchell in her voice as she sings: "And
the tide rolls in / Whether or not I see you again / And the
salt green gray / Comes right to my doorstep then / follows
the moon
back to the sea / With or without me." What a pleasure.
What a great find."
--
Richard Cuccaro - Acoustic Live!
Ye gawdz, I'm just LOVING
this album! It's just SO perfect for my show, and totally
appropriate for these slightly-crisp almost-fall evenings!
This is a truly special album."
--
Johnny Black, Music Director High Plains Public Radio
"This
is her first CD, but hopefully not her last. It's amazing
how easily this music will become
a part of you.
This CD needs to be in your collection."
--
Tom Stuart, reviewer for Pow'r Pickin'
"Stand-out
tracks include the aforementioned "The Good Daughter"
with its strong beat and gorgeous harmony, the melodic "Mainesong"
and the cheery, upbeat "S-Curve Roads." Under
the Ash Tree is a lovely debut, and good things are sure to
follow."
"This
is the most pleasant musical surprise I've had in 2008.
Just when you think you know where she's going, musically
or lyrically, she makes a hard turn in another direction.
Her voice is a wonderful combination of strength and fragility,
and the production is superb."
"My
first impression was that her voice reminded me of early Dar
Williams. She has that deep alto voice that has a teensy but
of a trill to it...The Good Daughter is very catchy
and has a great banjo part. I can easily imagine this one
on the radio...I know Jenny was out of the biz for a while,
but I'm glad she's back."
"Under
the Ash Tree is a lovely album with a strong, steady groove
and a definite sense of place running through its lyric tale.
Jenny Goodspeed's voice has a soothing, mellow feel, able
to sound mature and strong without sacrificing vulnerability.
That coupled with her thoughtful, literate writing makes the
CD worth many repeated listens. And I have to say I give great
Kudos to anyone who can take something like Joni Mitchell's
"The Arrangement" and do it up in a way that is
so different from Mitchell's version and yet appropriate.
Goodspeed really makes that song her own. I loved it."
