Jessica Paige

Artist: Jessica Paige
Album: Once Upon A Time

If charm were a sound, it would be Jessica Paige’s new album "Once Upon A Time". Rich, haunting, well written, and full of beautiful moments, Jessica Paige’s latest offering will be a favorite of anyone who loves clever pop, fairy tales that mean something, and musical beauty. Paige has been reverberating around the music scene for 7 years, and her latest album is another step in the right direction. The music has a depth and melodic sensibility that will capture the listener’s heart and hold it for the entire length of the record. This is a concept album, and a well-done one at that.

The album starts out strong with “Never Land,” which has some haunting strings, with Jessica talking about the fabled Peter Pan landscape with wishful, poetic lyrics. “You left your window open/for Peter Pan to fly back/Yet the curtains of your childhood were closed.” Jessica manages to mix the pain and necessity of growing up with equal points of sorrow and beauty. The arrangement on this track is gorgeous, with a wonderful piano solo towards the end and heart-tugging strings fading in and out of the soundscape.

“Huckleberry Finn” is easily one of the best tracks of the album with its charming duet, and a wonderful bridge. “The future is unwritten/ships passing by, paper tigers in the night.” The melody is fantastic, Jessica’s voice is beautiful, and the affection is heart-felt. The chemistry between the Jessica and Josh is unmistakable. “Huckleberry Finn”, although full of indie sensibility and charmingly eclectic musicianship, will definitely see some radio time. A harp introduction ushers in “Little Fish,” a pretty track about adventure that climbs steadily to an electric guitar-driven climax.

“Grey” is another memorable track with a xylophone clinking through a wonderful story of a lover dealing with a bittersweet. “Give me your hand/tell me how you feel/I am not so cold, I am not so cold.” Romantic, but heartbreaking, “Grey” will be another fan favorite. “If it was good/the seven plagues couldn’t stop us/if it was good/it wouldn’t feel so wrong.” Jessica’s vocals soar through this track, and her songwriting is at its best. There is a beautiful reverb siren that swirls around the track, just for an instant, but will send chills down the listener’s spine.

“Teddy’s Song” is a nostalgic track about loving your favorite stuffed animal that feels like it belongs in the “Toy Story” series soundtrack, in a good way. Her teddy talks to the girl in the song, giving her advice and hoping that she doesn’t throw him away when she gets older. The track is softly and tenderly played and sung, and the piano track is stunning.

Other memorable tracks include “Dorothy,” where Jessica asks some questions about the familiar story we all know. “Is it too late now/what about Tin Man’s heart? ‘Cause home is very far.” It is a track full of wonderful word pictures and a playful violin swaying in and out of the background.

“Don’t Fly Too Long” has a beautiful organ fading in and out, and takes the listener on an emotional journey through the dangers of life. There are beautiful harmonies that Jessica adds to the chorus here, and give it an eerie, wonderful feel. Like several on this album, “Don’t Fly Too Long” is guaranteed to give the listener goosebumps.

Wonderful production values, powerful songwriting, and some amazing orchestral arrangements help this indie pop album to charm its way into the listener’s heart. There are times when the album could use another upbeat track or two to pick up the speed, but that doesn’t detract from the beauty and talented lyricism of Jessica Paige. “Once Upon A Time” will be listened to twice upon a time, thrice upon a time, and will probably make its way into many listeners’ repeat playlists. - Ariel Cyber PR

Melbourne songstress Jessica Paige was awarded a grant by the Australia Council for Arts so that she could record these delicious tracks featured on her EP ‘Back of our minds’. The girl’s got class ladies and gents! She has a very mature and vibrant voice with wonderful range; it’s a pleasure to listen to her sing.
She has created a great mix of acoustic pop/rock with a pinch of jazz. It’s easy to see that Jessica will go far in our current musical climate, where female acoustic music is growing more and more popular. Having said that, she does present a different sound that can’t be said is a clone of other artists.

The title track ‘Back of our Minds’ sent shivers down my spine on first listen. The song is not just a random jumble of words with acoustic guitar; it’s a superb poem that makes sense, something that you will find as a constant feature in Jessica Paige’s music.

While each song on the CD shares a common sweet sound, each is different, and you can’t really accuse Jessica of being repetitive and unimaginative. ‘It's crazy baby’ showcases her Jazz influence; the vocals on this track are impressive and very powerful. You can only give one artist so much praise…but to finish off, Jessica Paige has delivered a wonderfully mature and brilliant CD, flowing with her gorgeously vibrant voice and surrounded by jazzy pop/rock acoustic sounds. It really is a treat.
Steph B

- Oz Music project

“Jess and Josh were absolutely magnificent. They fit the tone of our Gala evening perfectly, very engaging and just so brilliantly talented.”
- Caitlin Grigsby, Bluestocking Organisation

This woman is amazing! Love the vocals. Love the lyrics. This Gem is no ruff diamond. She is a Crystal of knowledge and power. She makes you just relax and listen to her voice. I love her i love her.. Why aren't you famous yet? That's o.k. - you wil be our mp3.com.au secret.

Lovebites
Track Reviewer

13/9/05

- www.mp3.com.au Track Reviews

In a little restaurant-bar down the quieter end of Brunswick, an intimate crowd were treated to an evening of unique, sincere and honest talent.
On the stage and in the spotlight first was Melbourne’s own Jessica Paige, winner of last year’s JB Seed Grant and numerous other songwriting awards. With a simple beauty and sweet smile, the 21-year-old opened the show with her soulful and emotive pop-alternative ballads.

Without disregarding her talents in creating music, what is immediately impressive is the quality of Jessica’s voice. Caressing the atmosphere with her soft blend of smooth tones and gentle whispers, you can hear her thinking out aloud, the effortless sounds seemingly youthful, but mature at the same time. Through tracks such as her first single Under My Skin and the soon-to-be-recorded Flying Away (about the conflict in Afghanistan), Jessica Paige confirmed her status as one of the country’s most promising singer- songwriters.
- Youth Central: Eira Aringay

Jess & the Paige Boys @ The Evelyn

Female-fronted by the leather-skirted-and-one-red-stockinged Jess on gee-tar and vocals, she and her Paige Boys take the stage and proceed to fuel proceedings with some very amicable acoustic-tinged folk rock – this is minimalist folk at its finest. Sparse and pleasantly understated, there are moments of quite painful beauty which tend to erupt every so often into virulent crescendos in dynamic contrast to the relatively cruisy nature of the music as a whole.

Jess's vocals are high and defiantly melodic without being cloying,…. She tends to sigh deeply and audibly before each number, a charming reminder that this girl with the surprisingly developed voice is actually relatively unseasoned – and utterly earnest in her delivery… it adds up to lend a spark of youthful, enthusiastic passion that is all too easily lost in a lot of musicians nowadays.

Of particular note is the inclusion of a rather inventive keyboardist in the mix, who swings from quietly ethereal to jaunty honky-tonk style chunking as the mood sees fit. A lead guitar occasionally blasts into the solo spotlight with rock-like leads which, surprisingly, do not seem out of place at all.
Jess and the Paige Boys have pretty much honed the art of minimalist musicality to a fine point… Jess’ voice receives compliments aplenty… the set is smoking.
- by Toby McCasker

We introduce the first JB Seed recipient, Jessica Paige – what a voice!"

One of the JB Seed grant winners, Jessica Paige is set to release the first track from her debut EP Under My Skin, through Sound Vault Records, to radio this week. This 21 year old Melbournian singer/songwriter will rock your socks, with one the most heavenly voices we’ve heard all year and gorgeous lyrics to match.

With a tour starting November running through to December, it won’t be long until Jess blows you away. Together with her band Jess & The Paige Boys have played a dozen festivals and over a hundred and fifty gigs around Melbourne and Sydney. For more information on the JB Seed, visit www.thejbseed.com

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- The Music Network