Jarrett Fenlon

Singer/Songwriter Jarrett Fenlon is a fairly well-rounded individual. He graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Political Science, walked on to their football team, and obviously is musically talented as well. He is trained in the saxophone, clarinet, piano, drums, as well as the guitar. Fenlon has been playing the San Francisco Bay Area for a few years now, and released his first album, Blues & Soul, in 2006. His latest release, Sprung, came out earlier this year.
- muzikreviews.com

Our Webzine introduces to our online pages the sensational sounds of Singer/songwriter and guitarist Jarrett Fenlon. The artist shines through his music which comes out sounding stylish, classical, and bluesy with a splash of jazz, folk, and country. In this spotlight, Fenlon speaks on several important matters concerning the plight of the indie artist. Here is what formulated from our online conversation.
- Junior's Cave Online Magazine

Skope: What does it mean to be featured in a music community as diverse as Skope?
Jarrett Fenlon: Being an independent musician I am obviously grateful for any and every bit of exposure I can get, but Skope is a music community that brings together all genres of music and will allow me the chance to have my music exposed to people that may not normally seek out Americana/Blues music. For that reason, I consider it to be a special and unique privelege to be featured. My theory on music in general is there a style to fit every mood and thus people should seek music outside of their favorite category at times to fit those various emotional states we all encounter. - Skopemag.com

The start of Jarrett Fenlon's musical career can be traced back to his early years when he used to sing along to the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Van Morrison and Eric Clapton while riding in the car. These artists and many others can be identified as influences in the songs that he writes to this very day. - Kanal-Blues Blog

The start of Jarrett Fenlon's musical career can be traced back to his early years when he used to sing along to the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Van Morrison and Eric Clapton while riding in the car. These artists and many others can be identified as influences in the songs that he writes to this very day. - Kanal-Blues Blog

Jarrett Fenlon divides his daytime hours between two coasts as an executive recruiter/headhunter; sub-dividing his off hours between playing professional poker and Blues/Soul/Folk. He finds the latter of his passions, freeing. Guess that's why his newest effort is entitled "Sprung." - Parttimerockers.com

Jarrett Fenlon - Sprung
2010, Jarrett Fenlon

San Francisco's Jarrett Fenlon is a performer with two distinct personalities. On one hand is the cultured bluesman, singing with a mostly lyric voice and pop mentality that puts a nice sheen on songs about hard knocks. On the other hand is the passionate balladeer that is primarily influenced by folks such as Van Morrison or Rod Stewart. This duality has been on display in San Francisco for some time now, as well as up and down the West Coast in small venues as Fenlon has worked on paying his musical dues. Fenlon brings both personas to his sophomore album, Sprung,

Fenlon has a great voice for the blues-based material, a lyric tenor with a gruff edge and a world-wary approach that's perfect for the working man's art that is the blues. On the ballads Fenlon can be hit or miss, occasionally struggling for pitch and tone. Both voices make ample appearances on Sprung, which opens with the Breezy folk/pop of "Autumn". This is a great bit of songwriting and a perfect way to kick off the album. "Love Slave" is an entertaining blues-based tune about how powerless love can make you feel. Fenlon is convincing as a blues vocalist in spite of the smooth sound he showed on "Autumn". "Boots" become an object of affection on this fun number with exquisite instrumentation. Musically this is the best offering on the album.

Fenlon digs into his first bossa nova on the title track, a study in fear of commitment from the male perspective. On "Love A Little Bit" you'll hear the first hints of pitch and tone issues as Fenlon sounds quite uncertain in an awkward folk ballad with horns. Things are a bit better on "From The First Moment", but difficulties persist. The arrangement is a pleasant one, but the song and performance pale in comparison to the more blues-based material. "Mean Ol' Woman" is the well-written story of an uptown girl who falls in love with a downtown boy. The song uses humor both descriptively and as a weapon and will be a must in concert. Fenlon closes with the cliché ballad "True Love". The arrangement is decent enough, but the song just doesn't have any spark and Fenlon's vocal issues make this a tough choice.

Jarrett Fenlon is of two minds as a performer: the Bluesy side works very well; the lyric side is much less consistent. Sprung is a solid effort that leaves ample room to grow. Some of the material on Sprung absolutely soars, and at other times it seems to be grounded. Over time, Fenlon will pick through these steps and find a path that suits him well. Right now it sounds as if he's still working it out.
- Wildy's World

JARRETT FENLON, “Sprung” March 22, 2010

Singer/songwriter and guitarist Jarrett Fenlon possesses an easy-breezy sonic signature and youthful vocal style that belie his favor for such experienced tastemakers as Bonnie Raitt, Van Morrison and Eric Clapton. Over the past few years, he’s taken his skills along the California coast, playing gigs in hometown San Francisco and greater Los Angeles, and he now promotes sophomore set “Sprung,” which boasts sprinklings of jazz, blues, folk and country.

Produced by Steve Kirk, who worked on soundtracks for popular Facebook game Farmville and Disney’s “The Princess & The Frog,” the title track is a playfully sexy jazz number that sounds like a live jam, with tinkling piano, electric guitar, horns and sax, and the occasional growl from Fenlon. The funky “Love Slave” could have been inspired by Floyd Cramer, again with loving care surrounding instrumental arrangements; while “Autumn” offers a clever stop-and-start flow as Fenlon celebrates the season: “There’s brown leaves on the ground/Throw 'em up and dance around.” Among the most effective tracks is “Love A Little Bit,” about the eternal search for lasting love, which slows the pace and reveals the artist's soulful side.

While the recording here could benefit from savvier mixing, “Sprung” does make a nice souvenir for fans of the act's live enterprise. Truly, it plays out like a front-row ticket.

~Billboard Discoveries, www.billboard.com
- Billboard Discoveries

Label: Indie
Web: www.jarrettfenlonmusic.com/
Location: San Francisco Bay
Genre: Blues/Americana
Key Tracks: “Love Slave” “Mean Ol’ Woman”

Jarrett is a singer/songwriter/guitarist who is the epitome of modern blues. He has a voice that is sweet and
smooth when he wants to be, but he can give you a little grizzly too! One of the key tracks to listen to is “Mean
Ol’ Woman” which is the traditional blues song. Sprung is a refreshing, easy to listen to album to take on a
long drive.

This is absolutely one to check out.
- I AM Entertainment Magazine