Courtney Jones
Portland, Oregon, United States
Music
Press
"She is the artist every singer-songwriter wants to be: charming, modest, and unquestionably talented... Her observational songwriting style results in genre-bending music that is rich, catchy and intelligent." - Tiffany Reagan - Daily Emerald
"Jones has a sultry, strong Amy Lee (Evanescence) voice that holds its own among the myriad of sounds that threaten to turn her into the next, well, Amy Lee. " - Annie Bethancourt - Willamette Week
Courtney Jones Her songwriting is tight and smart, but it's the strength and clarity of her voice that sets this Portland artist apart. She's celebrating the release of her debut album, "Awake & Dreaming," full of her smart, mature pop. - Luciana Lopez - The Oregonian
It’s almost shocking that “Awake and Dreaming” is Courtney Jones’ debut album. The (mostly) Portland-based artist possesses such confidence and effortless grace that calling her a local singer-songwriter seems like a slight.
Her voice has a glow that infuses her songwriting with an immediate intimacy that makes the album feel less like a recording and more like a conversation with your best friend and earns Jones frequent comparisons to Sarah McLachlan and KT Tunstall.
Like critically acclaimed songstress Missy Higgins, she’s a master of brave-yet-vulnerable, clear-eyed songwriting, and already outclasses her major label peers.
- Barbara Mitchell - Portland Tribune
Courtney Jones
Hotel Cafe
Hollywood
The Players: Courtney Jones, vo-cals, piano; Mike Dongug, guitar.
Material: With subtle nuance, Courtney Jones' piano-driven alt- pop acoustic-rock songs bear comparison to the work of Norah Jones, Dido, Tori Amos, Fiona Apple, Carole King and Joni Mitchell. The relationship-oriented material is both personal and introspective. It's infused with candid observations about life (Waiting for Something to Happen) and living by the philosophy of "going with the flow" (Ride). The numbers are never exercises in cliches or trite sentiments. Jones is economical with her lyrics and gets to the point fast with sly, sleight-of-hand wordplay that isn't too precious or clever.
Musicianship: The bare elements of piano, vocals and guitar round out the melodic arrangements nicely and the various textural components accentuate the mu-sic. Her skills keep the tunes fresh, interesting and versatile (and more spontaneous than on CD). There's nothing flashy or artificial about it. It feels very organic and natural the way songs build slowly. The creative tension mounts steadily and then sometimes peaks to exhilarating crescendos. Singer/songwriter Jones' ethereal shadings soar and scale high in the octave range reminiscent of the sublime Sarah McLachlan.
Performance: Low-key and re-laxed, the performance was like watching these artists deliver a set of music in someone's living room. The vibe was informal and casual, even though these players were of a professional caliber. These were seasoned musicians who have earned their chops doing many gigs on the road. Jones was down-to-earth and accessible. She talked between songs and made wry comments about how certain songs were conceptualized. She was al-ways gracious toward the receptive audience and smiled easily.
Summary: Courtney Jones offers something that resonates with most people looking for depth, substance and intelligence in their music. Her songs are well-crafted and have universal themes that touch listeners who have ever experienced heartbreak, longing and the journey into finding one's sense of self.
-Harriet Kaplan - Music Connection Magazine
"Courtney has been one of the most surpisingly magical "Finds"
in my quest to put together the perfect soundtrack for my film,
Cosmic Radio. Her voice and songwriting style are a gift to the
project, and she easily holds her own among the "Big Name"
talents filling out the film's score. I love this young woman's voice,
and the movie is all the better for her participation." - Stephen Savage; Writer/Director "Cosmic Radio"
“I put her on a ton of shows this past year because she is the local
answer to Sheryl Crow and the crowd always enjoys her, if she should
break a single on radio, VH1 will be her next stop.” - Dan Steinberg - Square Peg Concerts
CD SINGLE REVIEW: Courtney Jones - "Long Way Down"
By Gian Fiero - 01/30/2008
Artist: Courtney Jones
Album: Awake & Dreaming
Label: Unsigned
Genre: Adult Contemporary
Sounds Like: Sarah McLachlan
Technical Grade: 10/10
Production/Musicianship Grade: 9/10
Commercial Value: 9/10
Overall Talent Level: 9/10
Songwriting Skills: 9/10
Performance Skill: 9/10
Best Songs: Single
Weakness: ? (no weakness detected)
CD Review: Courtney Jones, a singer/songwriter from Portland, Oregon, who will inevitably draw comparison to Sarah McLachlan with her ethereal tone and phrasing, delivers a track that can help her to carve out an identity of her own. With the dramatic production of Peter Malick (Norah Jones), she performs a haunting, heartfelt vocal in front of a cinematic backdrop in which she tells her story of unrequited love with lyrical eloquence. The song benefits from great song structure, clever engineering in the intro for effect, and a memorable chorus that sticks; making it both radio-ready, and licensing-friendly. - Gian Fiero - The Muse's Muse - Jan. 2008
"Given her authoritative delivery, it's hard to believe that Awake & Dreaming marks Courtney Jones' debut. Never mind the assists from session pros such as producer Peter Malick (Norah Jones) bassist Bob Glaub (Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks) and drummer Butch Norton (Lucinda Wiliams, Tracy Chapman); Jones' vibrant vocals and infectious songs make her sound more like a seasoned veteran than a newcomer.
Opener "See Me" provides a bold intro as assertive as its title suggests, a solid bid for well-deserved recognition. Sounding like a compelling combination of Christine McVie, Annie Lennox, and Bonnie Raitt, Jones turns emotive ballads like "Based on Real Life", "Relief", "Passenger" and "Change My Place" into plaintive torch songs of soul-searing intensity." - Performing Songwriter Magazine May 2008
“Courtney Jones is one of Portland’s best emerging artists. It’s only a matter of time before the world outside Portland finds this out.”
- Dean Kattari APD/MD KINK fm102 May 2008
Discography
"Awake & Dreaming" full length debut album due early 2008; produced by Peter Malick, Mixed by Mark Needham
"The One" - 6-song EP (fully mastered demo) 2006
produced, engineered, and mixed by Jim Tullio at the "toolshed"
mastered by Adam Ayan - Gateway Mastering
"Ride" - first single off EP "The One" Mar. 1st, 2006 release date.
"Be The Hand I Hold" Apr . 2005 (out of print)
"Reflections of My Past" May 2003 (out of print)
Photos
Bio
Courtney Jones' unique sound and songwriting style has been compared to Sarah McLachlan meets KT Tunstall, with a hint of Keane thrown in just for good measure.
Her upcoming record boasts a roster of talent usually reserved for a major label artist with a major label budget. She is neither . . . yet.
Peter Malick, who early on spotted, gigged with, and later produced the then unknown Norah Jones, just before her runaway success with "Come Away With Me", produced the 12 track debut album titled “Awake & Dreaming,” which is to be released July 15th. Mark Needham (The Killers, Hot Fuss) mixed the tracks.
The 22-year-old Miss Jones wrote each of the songs on this album and takes the listener on a journey through how she sees the world and life so far as she knows it. The title track; "Awake & Dreaming" will be featured on KINK fm102’s first ever local artist compilation CD. In addition, KINK will welcome Courtney to Portland’s Aladdin Theater for her official CD Release Event, on Friday, July 25th. Its one of a series of KINK events she will be appearing at, such as Noon Tunes at Pioneer Courthouse Square (July 22nd) and The Escape Cruise dinner cruise (Sept. 12th).
Her debut album, "Awake & Dreaming" is featured on the iTunes Homepage - New Releases Section Aug. 12th, 2008. XM Satellite Radio, Entercom, and CBS Radio affiliates have also featured her music. "Long Way Down" debuted in a feature-length film starring Michael Madsen, Rider Strong and Taboo of The Black Eyed Peas, written and directed by Stephen Savage.
Says Jones… “I am an observer; I like to piece together elements of everyday things and relate them to life experiences, thoughts, feelings. When songwriting, I'm not creating any new words or chords. I'm piecing together what already exists in a new way. And I call this collection of words and music a song. It's my way of organizing a bit of the chaos around me- that's what I've been given.”
The track titled Passenger perhaps best conveys, what has been called her observational “lyrical sleight of hand” (Music Connection Mar. 2007)
I am a passenger, again,
And the taillights are my only friends
And I’m taking in the sights and sounds of all these foreign lands.
I am a passenger, it’s true
But the traffic knows just what to do,
So I’ll put my fate in its hands
I’m riding on the ride side and I see one thing is clear
That I am, I’m just a passenger here.
“Awake & Dreaming” is not a collection of songs. It is truly an album, literally and figuratively. Through each of its 12 songs, seamlessly woven together, it reflects upon life’s universal themes of hopes, dreams, and fears. Jones inviting piano style, enchanting voice, and moving lyrics leave one feeling contently unsettled.
Courtney Jones has opened for nearly a dozen (and counting) major label artists as diverse as Warner Bros.’ Australian Pop superstar Missy Higgins, Kenny Loggins, Edwin McCain, and KCRW’s "Morning Becomes Eclectic" favorite Bitter:Sweet of "The Mating Game" fame. She has shared festival billing with Augustana, Joshua Radin, and Anna Nalick. Musicians joining her on Awake & Dreaming include Lucinda Williams’ current touring rhythm section, Butch Norton and Dave Sutton. Peter Malick adds his guitar genius, and Stevie Blacke, whose recent work includes projects with the ultra-hot Colbie Caillat, Anna Nalick, Timbaland, and Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson, provides the lush string arrangements for her songs. Paula Cole’s touring bassist John Ossman and the legendary Bob Glaub make guest appearances as well.
Courtney has gained a following with industry heavyweights and built a fan base from the entire West Coast with her relentless and rigorous touring that has encompassed tens of thousands of miles, countless hotels, and over 120 shows in the past year.
Producer Peter Malick’s work with an unknown, 21 year old keyboardist, with the last name Jones, was just before her meteoric rise. It appears lightening may be about to strike twice.
www.courtneyjonesmusic.com
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