Customer Reviews

Firesight

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

i first got acquainted with jessie baylin's music on myspace, before she was signed. i bought both of her cds offered and fell in love with her music. after buying her major label debut, firesight, i can only say that she will endure and continue to blossom. every time that i listen to firesight, which is ALL the time, every song makes me smile, as it is beautifully executed. she has zeroed in on everyone's common desires and fears, hopes and dreams and she does it with the utmost of talent and class. if you have not yet experienced her music, you are definately missing out. she is a wise and heartfelt tunesmith and one hell of a wailer!

Although mostly pop-oriented and tailormade for placement in the background of a primetime TV drama, this album also encompasses wisps of jazzy cabarets with a hint of the twang of Baylin's hometown of Nashville. Several singers spring to mind, notably Dusty Springfield, Phoebe Snow and Maria Muldaur along with numerous modern musicmakers -- an eclectic mix, to be sure. Tonally, Baylin's voice shares a familiar, bluesy white-girl rasp with that of Amy Whitehouse, although her music is decidedly much mellower. Spotting similarities with Norah Jones wouldn't be misplaced, either, since one of Baylin's songwriting partners is Jesse Harris, who is also one of Norah's crew. This is a fine record for "mature" music fans looking for something new that doesn't fit into easy modern pop categories. (DJ Joe Sixpack, Slipcue Music Guide)

Jessie Baylin has put together an album that combines the best of the sounds of Nashville, folk and Pop! Her song writing definetly comes from her heart and shows in every song. 'See How I Run', 'Was I On Your Mind' and 'Not A Day More' are stand out tracks for me with the rest of the songs convincing me that 'Firesight' is the kind of album that just does not come around very often. Jessie Baylin (Firesight) is a True-Winner in the musical world! There's no disapointment here...ONLY GREAT MUSIC!

Jessie Baylin's soulful album is vibrant and refreshing. With her ability to convey an inner strength through capacious lyrics and captivating vocals it's hard to believe she is only 24 years old. Songs such as "Not a Day More," "See How I Run," "Was I On Your Mind," and "The Glitter" showcase an amazing sense of fortitude. Without a doubt "Leave Your Mark" will leave chills up your spine that is sure to leave Jessie Baylin's charismatic mark on you!

Jessie Baylin has a pleasant enough voice, but she verges a little too close to country and is a little bland for my taste. I like contemporary folk music, love Joni Mitchell, Nanci Griffith, Joan Baez, Dar Williams, but they all seem to have an oomph or pizazz that Baylin lacks. The arrangements are nice; her voice is nice; the songs are nice; it's all very nice, but very ho-hum. Of the newer singer-songwriters coming out, I prefer Sara Bareilles, KT Tunstall, and Kate Walsh.

Her band sounds very good, and the instrumental backings to all her songs are very tasteful. I don't like her voice very much, though I can't really say why. I also am not impressed particularly with her songwriting. it's not that she's bad so much as she simply doesn't hold my interest.

What I'm trying to say is that she has a fantastic band, and is a decent songwriter, but this music is not for me. It's too indistinctive. I give it three stars. It's not at all unpleasant, but it's far from memorable.

The acoustics and her powerful voice are a great combo. I am 54 yrs old and I love this CD. You don't hear too many CDs that combine a good guitar and great songs.

GREAT NEW ARTIST. GREAT VOICE AND SONG STYLE. YOU'LL LISTEN OVER AND OVER.

The new promotional track here on Amazon Hurry Hurry reminded me of Jessie Baylin's previous album, "Firesight". It's wonderful to find a vocalist who sings naturally without submitting to the cliches of a particular style of music. I suppose if I had to suggest any names as points of reference, she might be described as being somewhat like Norah Jones if Norah Jones was playing a guitar on a rock in the back yard for a close group of friends. You just never get the feeling that Jessie Baylin contrives a vocal style, she just...sings. That's very refreshing.

Her musical style is equally evasive of being pigeonholed, and again, that's both welcome and appreciated. It might have flavors that would appeal to those who like country - wait, don't run - but it maintains an originality because it doesn't insult you with any of the Nashville sausage factory's awful cliches. It might have flavors of pop but the lyrics are mature enough that you don't feel like the album should be packaged in birthday party pastels. There might be touches of folk but there's never a moment where you doubt that the artist has all her teeth and whatever it is she drives, it very likely has all its hubcaps intact.

There's a danger to dodging the easy classifications; lesser artists throw everything into the stew and it all muddles together where the distinctive flavors are lost and it just sounds like a big mess of nothing. Somehow Baylin avoids that trap and presents a sound that alludes to all the individual herbs and spices that contribute to the end result, all the while never falling headfirst into any given category.

If you're looking for individual tracks to download, give a listen to "Tennessee Gem", "See How I Run" and "Was I On Your Mind". The closing track "Want" is a fine coda for the album, a quiet introspective number that summarizes the warmth inherent in the album as a whole.

When I first looked up Jessie Baylin's music, I didn't know what to expect. I thought it would be just another singer-songwriter type of deal, I was proven wrong when I first heard the single, Was I On Your Mind. But I actually did not like it, however I still bought the album. After receiving it I finally realized why I did not like it at first, it was because she didn't sound as I would have expected her to sound or how she would sound when singing. She has a bluesy, soulful, jazzy, folksy feel. Lovely lyrics and the music fits her voice. She has a very different and distinct voice that took a while for me to liken, but once I did, I fell in love with it. Stands out are See How I Run, Leave Your Mark, Was I On Your Mind, Tennessee Gem, and By Any Rules. It is now one of my favorite albums, and has been on constant repeat. My expectation was so different that I almost dismissed her, but her music grasps you and leaves its mark. Don't miss out on this little piece of heaven.

I give it a 5/5.