short Stories (2006)
1. Wild Flowers
2. Running for the Door
3. Forgotten (*Asif Illyas cover)
4. Crazy Jayne
5. Starting Today
6. Holding Out
7. Beautiful
8. Where It All Begins
9. Only One
10. Wonderful to Me
11. Chasing Sunsets
Canadian Singer-Songwriter Jessica Rhaye, ventures into her most musically mature territory yet with the release of her sophomore album Short Stories. An album that features an attractive mix of folk songwriting, modern arrangements & ambitious production, surrounded by Jessica’s magnetizing voice. One listen to the eleven hook-laden tracks of this album & you'll be struck by the natural, warm, rich & sometimes personal songs of this talented singer songwriter.
Short Stories was produced by up & comer Ed Woodsworth & engineered by multiple ECMA award winning technician Jamie Foulds, with additional recording & mixing by award winning producer Gordie Sampson.
Short Stories was mastered at Bob Ludwig’s Gateway Mastering Studios by Adam Ayan whose mastering credits include work for Tracey Chapman, Indigo Girls & Phish, to name a few.
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All songs written by Jessica Rhaye *except “Forgotten” by Asif Illyas, “Crazy Jayne”, “Beautiful” & “Where it All Begins” co-written with Ed Woodsworth, “Starting Today” co-written with Jamie Robinson, “Holding Out” co-written with Ken Tobias.
Jessica Rhaye: lead vocals
Ed Woodsworth: upright, electric & keyboard bass, electric guitar, effects, percussion, synth, wurlitzer, backing vocals
Kim Dunn: piano, organ & rhodes
Jamie Oakes: acoustic & electric guitars & music box
Brian Talbot: drums, percussion & turntable
Jamie Foulds: backing vocals, synth, mellotron samples, vocorder & effects
Gordie Sampson: electric guitar & piano (tracks 1 & 2)
Angelo Spinazzola: harmonica (track 2)
John Spearns: cello (tracks 3, 5, 7 & 11)
Craig Mercer: electric guitar (track 6)
JP Cormier: banjo & acoustic guitar (track 6)Produced by Ed Woodsworth
Executive Producer Mark Marshall
Recorded & engineered by Jamie Foulds at Soundpark Studios, Sydney, NS
Additional recording by Mike Shepherd at Lakewind Sound Studios, Point Aconi, NS
Mixed at Soundpark Studios by Jamie Foulds & Ed Woodsworth except
"Wild Flowers" & "Only One" mixed at Lakewind Sound Studios by Gordie Sampson, Ed Woodsworth & Mike Shepherd
Mastered by Adam Ayan at Gateway Mastering Studios, Portland, ME, USADesign & layout by Jessica Rhaye
Photograhy by Lori Morse
Photo treatments by Mark Hemmings
Floral design by John Henry Dearle, Compton 1896We acknowledge the financial support provided by the Government of New Brunswick through the Sounds Initiative Program and the NB Arts Board for this project.
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"Mature vocal sound, with floating dynamics that leave you with a fresh organic mixture. Rhaye's in a category of her own - it's the perfect feel-good album." - Maverick Magazine - UK (****4 Stars Review)
“Her storybook-like style features subtle shades of simplicity blended with an old-fashioned aesthetic. This pop-fairy is a force of vivacity, authenticity and portrays a strong sense of self within her lyrics and pretty melodies.” - Filly.ca
“Jessica Rhaye evokes the dreaminess of former Vercua Salt bombshell Nina Gordon’s solo works and Beth Orton’s fragile yet wistful style while paying tribute to Jewel’s vocal sensuality.” - The Coast
"Jessica has a very mature, sophisticated sound, but still sounds fresh & young. Even though she has a powerhouse voice, she holds back just enough to really knock you out when she lets it go." - Performing Songwriter Magazine
"After I played Holding Out as a producer's pick, I was flooded with requests for the song. It seems to have hit a nerve with the listeners. Given the quality of the song, I'm not surprised." - Jimmie Inch - The East Coast Countdown
"Her [Jessica Rhaye] songs which hinged on emotional dramas & relationship issues were delicate constructs..." London Times, UK
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• ECMA 2008 Nomination - Female Artist of the Year
• ECMA 2008 WINNER - Graphic Designer of the Year
• ECMA 2007 Nomination - Pop Recording of the Year
