Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
New York-based Jacquie Barnaby could easily have pursued a career as an English teacher but opted instead for the less secure singer-songwriter route. Having lived at various times in Chicago, Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., Boston, New York City, and England, she has many interesting stories to tell. Those experiences come through on WASHINGTON SQUARE (DTG Productions 8553) *** a record that harks back to the classic singer-songwriter days of Carole King, Judy Collins, and Carly Simon. Jacquie is a crafty, experienced vocalist who knows how to build and cultivate a mood, punctuate a line and build on the great foundations and support supplied by her studio band on such excellent songs as Good Intentions, Silence is Nothing New, and The Nothing Waltz. Never concerned with proving her range or vocal power, she gives these songs a quiet, steady, but also authoritative sheen, exhibiting a feel for melody and a timing that comes only from truly understanding what she had in mind when she penned these lyrics. - Alan Cackett
"The greatest writer I have met....Gifted and talented beyond belief." - San Diego, CA
"Listening to Jacquie Barnaby is like being shot in the soul. Her voice is a golden bow that propels her beautifully-crafted songs into your very core." - Songwriter's Hall of Fame
"....Pure as ivory, searingly elegant and enchantingly haunting. Barnaby’s vocals are angelic and soulful, punctuated by erudite lyrics that speak of pain and love equally with staggering grace. The singer’s voice—like Aimee Mann’s yet perhaps more crisp—is a marvelous instrument itself...." - Canoe Media
You can't fall down in New York without landing on a singer-songwriter, so it takes a lot of talent to stand out. Based on her new album, Washington Square, Jacquie Barnaby will never get lost in the crowd.
The piano-driven songs on her album are well-crafted, her lyrics are smart, poignant and occasionally biting, and her rich, emotive voice breathes life into every word. Ably backed by guitars, bass and strings, Barnaby's voice and keyboard prowess are clearly the cornerstones that hold the album together.
While the industry may have a hard time categorizing her multi-faceted music -- rock, acoustic, jazz and soul elements are sprinkled liberally throughout the album -- fans will immediately lock into this singer-songwriter's essential talents: creating memorable, heartfelt songs, and delivering them passionately and honestly with her impressive voice.
- James K. Willcox
New York based singer Jacquie Barnaby's Washington Square spotlights her strong vocals, songwriting and keyboard playing. More pop than jazz, there's a definite hint of Aimee Mann in both her vocals and piano playing, and the spirit of Tori Amos in the songwriting. And it's songs like "Silence is Nothing New" and "The Nothing Waltz" that caught my ear.
With the resurgence of the singer-songwriter genre you will find Ms. Barnaby well worth a listen.
- London Ontario
The music of Jacquie Barnaby is as wonderful as it is hard to define. Even her own suggestion of "acoustic pop jazz" somehow fails to do it justice. Her well-crafted, piano-driven debut, Washington Square, is garnering rave reviews and heavy airplay on college radio around the US and in the UK and Canada. With a voice as smooth and powerful as a Mercedes-Benz and a penchant for emotionally driven songs, comparisons to Aimee Mann and Eva Cassidy are well-deserved.
- John Quinn
Editor's Pick:
This is what I'd like to call the 'Genuine Article.' Hiding behind no flashy audio effects or overpriced studio cleansing, we find the purest of pure. This woman has a voice that would give Joni Mitchell goosebumps. Her graceful fingers explain a longtime love affair with her piano while her tortured lyrics give you a view of her love-hate relationship with life.
- Derek Sivers
A piano woman with a biting sense of irony, as much admired for her innovative interpretations of contemporary music as for her original material.
Jacquie Barnaby is a fresh new voice for the songwriting world. She brings a rich melodic sensability to her textured songs and tops it all off with a soaring voice. A true standout! - Matt Smith
With just her piano and a warm, engaging voice, Barnaby creates songs that harken back to the days when singer-songwriters like Carole King roamed the earth.
- Christopher Muther
Discography
Washington Square, 2005
another work in progress, release date TBA (in production)
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
"With just her piano and a warm, engaging voice, Barnaby creates songs that harken back to the days when singer-songwriters like Carole King roamed the earth." (BOSTON GLOBE)
"This is what I like to call 'The Genuine Article'....the purest of pure. This woman has a voice that would give Joni Mitchell goosebumps....." (DEREK SIVERS, CDBABY)
"A piano woman with a biting sense of irony, as much admired for her innovative interpretations of contemporary music as for her original material." (CLUB PASSIM, CAMBRIDGE, MA)
Spirited, unique, and refreshing, Jacquie is an astonishing multi-faceted talent: A former child prodigy in both music and writing, a singer/songwriter and witty raconteuse, equipped with experience as a jazz musician in Boston and Pittsburgh, and a Master's degree from New York University's illustrious Graduate Creative Writing Program. Often described by her fans and her bandmates as a cross between Amélie and Lucille Ball, Jacquie is a refreshing change from the cookie-cutter clones offered by the music industry as of late. Her truly rare and outstanding gifts as a vocalist, lyricist, composer and musician vie to outdo each other--with stunning results.
The release of Washington Square in 2005 marks the debut of Jacquie Barnaby’s piano-driven blend of jazz, acoustic rock and pop, which emerge in subtle and innovative combinations on each track of this memorable album. Jacquie’s incisive and poignant lyrics fuel her passionate vocals and reverberate among her hauntingly beautiful harmonies. Her musical influences include Ben Folds, Aimee Mann, Stevie Wonder, Jonatha Brooke, The Sundays and Elliott Smith.
Building on the artistry of Jacquie’s previous solo offerings, Washington Square brings a variety of production elements into play while achieving a truly organic ensemble sound and preserving the aura of live performance. The recording draws upon the ebullience and versatility of Jacquie’s stage presence, which consistently wins over audiences with its engaging mix of original compositions, well chosen covers (ranging from early Patsy Cline to Oasis) and generous, compassionate humor. Music is how Jacquie likes to talk to people--having lived in Chicago,Pittsburgh, D.C., Boston, New York City, and England, she has many interesting stories to tell. Jacquie sure does like to talk.
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