REVIEW: Jo Harman Band

Dorchester Corn Exchange

A VERY good show mostly based around Jo’s latest recording.

By her own admission a somewhat introspective work.

There was a pleasant mix of slow, soulful ballads as in the co-written The Final Page, right through to hard driving rockers in Rollercoaster Ride.

Jo has a powerful voice that can cover an impressive range of material.

For example, throwing Bowie’s Life on Mars into the programme. A class act.

Jo’s much anticipated album is called People We Become.

It was recorded in Nashville by noted producer Fred Mollin (Carol King, Carly Simon, Joe Cocker etc.) and features a cameo by Michael McDonald.

Jo is an award-winning vocalist, songwriter and bandleader who has performed at some of Europe’s most prestigious venues.

She won Female Vocalist of the Year and was runner up for Songwriter of the Year at the 2014 British Blues awards and has performed for and with the likes of Joan Baez and Patti Smith.

A few words about the support artist Elles Bailey. Accompanied by a guitarist and bass player, she performed a short set that was quite tight and funky.

Her voice is strong and she also plays keyboards.

You can catch her at Bridport Arts Centre on March 3.

LEWIS A HARRIS