Reviews of new Acid Folk, Psych Folk, Folkrock, Prog Folk : Mary Jane

Acony Bell Mary Jane : Tacit (Live Sessions) -LP- (UK,2001)***°

Mary Jane always was and still is for me one of the most interesting folk rock bands around. Their first album was very much Trees inspired. Jo Quin's voice was somewhat shrieky there ; I liked it very much, some reviewers were puzzled by it. Their latest album, a 70 minutes quiet (Fairport like vibe) folkrock album was nice without much highlights. Jo's voice seem to have matured on this album. Very beautiful it is. "I loved a Lass", "Lady Margeret" and "Maid on the shore", all are sung with a more subtle voice, rarely heard since the 70's.

The second side contains two folkrock reels, a more happy song (flute/guitar/bass, like everywhere sparse percussion),an capella song, and a very alive folkrock song with drumming. The album is recommended to collectors of magic UK folkrock of the seventies. Be quick before it's sold out ! Only 400 were pressed.

Although the album says "live recordings" it sounds like a studioalbum, except for the live energy on the last track.

This release now is reissued on CD by Seventh Wave Records. :

Seventh Wave Rec.

Mary Jane : Tacit (Live Sessions) -CD (UK,2002)***°

Now after a year and a bit I heard the release of the acid folkrock record 'Tacit' again, on CD and I still enjoy it. LP's I generally listen more to the overall effect of recordings, while with CD's I always have more attention to the details because then I can listen more carefully in a more technical way. Compared with earlier releases Jo Quin's slightly shrillness (-which I also like very much by the way, which puzzled some listeners-) disappeared to be replaced by a more subtle mature voice.

A very beautiful and talented voice indeed. It's her quality that comes to the fore with this CD comparing with the groups' talent show off here. There were two live sessions with two slightly different groups (with 2 different percussionists and an additional violin player at the second session). The first group shows a simple chords based modest character in the playing, with technically all there, needed for a full character / sound, creating a top level's group sound. I especially liked the interpretations of "I loved a Lass" and "Maid on the shore". The quality of the recordings of these sessions are very good. The second slightly different group its mixed balance sound more live, not sure if this is the best group sound to show full right to potential talent.

After having heard this release with a second renewed opinion I still am convinced that anyone who likes Trees should get notice of this group, but comparing with the other released works this release is not the most essential one of Mary Jane's repertoire.

Seventh Wave Rec.

Mary Jane : To the prettiest one (UK,2002)****

Jo Quin's voice is at her best here, with second / third recorded harmonic voices. Also the group's sound matured. All is in perfect balance : creativity / musicality / warmth / technical skills / rock / folk / acid originality. All top level. EACH interpretation of songs stands out. The Trees influence might be even stronger. A wonderful release, possibly the most perfect of the group so far.

There are various layers, not only in voice(s), but also in guitars (and in various arrangements) that creates the maturity therein.

Mary Jane now is Nick B.Davies, drums and percussion, Martin Griffin, bass guitar, Jo Quin, vocals, flutes, recorders, flageolets, fiddle(s), bodhran, Paul Alan Taylor, acoustic, electric and 12-string guitars, bouzouki, bouzar. I will not credit any of the members here especially, while each talent and skill perfectly contributes to the groups' full sound. Recommended.

Audio : "Three Maidens"

Website :http://www.maryjane.biz/ and http://www.mary-jane.info/ & http://maryjane.custard.org (old page : http://web.ukonline.co.uk/philhotston/homepage.html and Contact the group : Paul, Jo, Gillie, Steve, Pidge

or the label for the LP at http://www.septembergurlsrecords.com/ or septembergurls@compuserve.com

or the mail order at http://www.greatesthitsmailorder.com/

Review of first album at http://www.forcedexposure.com/artists/mary.jane.html

Review of this album : http://www.greenmanreview.com/prettiest.one.htm & http://www.folkworld.de/23/e/cds4.html#mary

Official download page : http://www.wovenwheatwhispers.co.uk/

Other albums of Mary Jane :

LP/CD Hazy Days ****(EX), single Isle of Wright ****, LP/CD The Gates of Silent Memory ***(VG)

Soundfile of "The Gates of Silent memory" : "Isle of Wright"

private

Mary Jane : -DVDr+CDr (UK,2009)***'

It's been a long time since I heard from Mary Jane, but the band still exist and has tours. Because people often asked them if they couldn’t release some sort of DVD of live recordings they have made some custom copies on occasion, which I am happy to have here now to check out. The 3 live tracks are also included on audio format. Here we have, three folkrock tracks of which "Twa Corbies" especially can still be described as having a post-Trees style or sound of folkrock. It’s great to hear how close the two female voices sing and make the music most attractive. Fundaments are lead vocals and dual, sometimes a few more vocals, violin improvisations, electric and acoustic guitars and drums. On the first track the dancing and arm movements of Jo especially adds extra swing to the songs. Mostly elsewhere some effects or mirror-effects are added to add more fluctuation to the images. Personally I would have added even more, because I still like to listen to the music more and dream away in it myself, such an experience can’t be replaced by a few effects and images of a concert where I personally unfortunately haven’t been at yet.

Video : "Twa Corbies", "Eve", "Let The Fire Begin"

Talking Elephant Rec.

Mary Jane : Eve (UK,2011)***°/**°°

It has been a while since we had another album by Mary Jane, but finally we have a new compilation, first of all resuming their folk-rock sound and songs and interpretations, and giving them new a fuse, power and harmony. The Quintet has been enriched with 4 guests. The sound is clearly experienced by live gigs electric and acoustic swinging folk-rock and has nice vocal harmonies : it is fine to hear two extra vocalists for this live sound. On one of the newer tracks, “Clonakilty” is a good rocking sound added : while some of Mary Jane albums were softer, here is power to convince, something that in fact always fitted the band well. “So be Wise” however is almost stripped from the folk. “When I was in my prime” is a bit too different, by going completely into acapella in the midst of other and electrified tracks. All other, softer tracks have enough of these electric elements to give nice sonic contrasts and a perfect balance between the folk and the rock element. Most often the band showed their strong side, but perhaps with some of these contrasts in the last tracks 11 tracks sounds somewhat long for an album like this.

Steve Barker on drums, lead & backing vocals ; Jon Hawkes on bass, backing vocals ; Gillie Hotston on violin, mandolin and backing vocals ; Jo Quinn on lead vocals, flute, recorders, flageolets and violin ; Paul Alan Taylor on acoustic guitar and acoustic and electric 12-string guitars with guests Jamie Caswell on violin, Maggie Hawkes on harmony vocals, Lucy Rutherford on additional lead vocals, Serena Smith on violin.

Homepage : http://www.mary-jane.info/

Label info : http://www.talkingelephant.co.uk/artists/artist.php?Artist_Ref=23801&Genre_id=all