REVIEW: Elfin Bow - Debut Album Release

Beautiful artwork for album cover by the talented Elfin Bow

Debut album online release March 10^th 2017

Genre: Folk, pastoral Pscyh-folk. 21^st Century folk

Release Title: Elfin Bow

Elizabeth Anne Jones hails from Liverpool and is the creative mind behind Elfin Bow art and music. On the back of a successful crowd funding campaign, the talented artist, musician and master of all trades has released her self-titled album: Elfin Bow. Ethereal, passionate and intertwined with a thread of love and consciousness, this hypnotic album pierces your soul in the most beautiful way. Performed with tenderness and authenticity, the ambient sounds and vocals penetrate your subconscious mind so deeply and positively that the experience lingers long after play.

Elfin Bow is a skillful genius. Her music evokes a sense of serenity in the listener with vocals and use of instruments that are both calming and thought-provoking. Expect to hear the mandolin, fiddle, banjo, guitar among other instruments. The resonance of the plethora of instruments employed leaves an imprint on your brain and leaves you humming the tunes long after playing them. Her mellifluous voice and tones hold much power.

This is therapy of the melodic, mysterious and enchanted kind. This album of 12 beautiful tracks nurtures your spirit and takes you on a journey through the seasons of life. It is a beautifully stunning offering by the artist. The 12 tracks are like the months of the year, with an air of freshness and a sense of promise and intention.

This album is content rich with a magnanimous offering of gentle tracks with powerful messages. It ignites something within the listener. It is an intentional, uplifting and thought provoking, evocative listen which grows in intensity upon each play. 

It exudes love and is a treat and feast for the ears. This is an empowering album which epitomises strength, acceptance, finding your inner voice and trusting your wisdom.  It is confident and bold and rightly so. Spellbinding, exuberance, poignant, visceral, positive, vibrant and inspiring. The album is a blend of tradition and contemporary sounds. It is no wonder that Elfin Bow is referred to as a 21st Century Folk artist; a storyteller with one foot, rooted in tradition and the other venturing into the future.

Some of my thoughts on a handful of the tracks on the album are outlined below:

The first red leaf of Autumn

"New times are coming for me"

Crisp, clear vocals like the Autumn season. This seems to symbolise rebirth. It is an exhalation - a moment of crystal clarity that change is coming and that the vibrancy of life is to be enjoyed. It embodies optimism and hope. I love the change in the melody. It is like an affirmation “Life’s the gift you’ve given me” As the drums beat, it is being affirmed and emphatically stated. The strings add to the emotional and powerful experience. The track builds in intensity and I love the spoken ad-libs.  They serve to gently ease you into acknowledging that transformation is possible. 

Daffadilly Down

I love this song. It’s like a lullaby. It soothes my soul and is reassuring in it's message.

“Have you felt the weight of worry on your back?. 

You can glide when the worry is lifted, like the sweet songbird you’re free”

The sleep of reason

Beautiful melodies delivered with an extra serving of incredible.

Edith’s song

Haunting guitar lines, crisp and sharp which grab your attention and keep your senses heightened. 

The Wisdom

I love this song “Why do we make things so complicated? Just be silent - wisdom of old” and "I’m not broken if truth be told”

This track is one of my favourites on the album. She sings “Jack of all trades, master of none” If she is referring to herself: Au contraire – she is a multi-talented musician, songwriter and artist with a beautiful soul to boot. Spreading the message of her music and using her voice to soothe the listeners and to penetrate their consciousness.

Holler in the hollows

Powerful, haunting.

Prairie Madness

Upbeat song which tells of a family who eagerly await the return of their father. Despite difficult times, they join together through adversity and keep each other’s spirits high. A beautiful ode to camaraderie and the strength of family relationships.

Listen to this album often and especially through headphones and in the dark to absorb the music and let your soul and spirit bathe in it's splendour. True to her intent and vision, Elfin Bow truly does share the best of herself in this album It is quite apt that this album is released on the 10th March as this is Elizabeth Ann Jones' birthday. She is sharing this beautiful gift with the world on this special earth day. Happy birthday Elfin Bow album and happy birthday Elizabeth.

Prepare to be enveloped in the splendid uplifting tones of Elfin Bow and immerse yourself into the rich melodies and tones. Her much awaited album launch will take place at The Epstein theatre Liverpool on 18^th March 20:00  Get your tickets here

All songs written and composed by Elfin Bow

Recorded and mixed at Hound Dog Studios, Liverpool by Allan Crookes.

Production mix by Gary Lloyd, Mastered by Gary Lloyd

Produced by Gary Edward Jones and Elfin Bow.