Amanda St John has finally released her long awaited début album ‘Grow’ and from the moment you hear Amanda sing on the ethereal acapella intro track ‘Grow’ you know this is going to be something special.
The album manages to strike a fine balance between up tempo songs that are perfect for the weekend, like ‘You Blew It‘ and ‘Show Me’ and the softer more sensual slower numbers like ‘Stop’ and ‘If You’d Only Let Me’. In fact her first 2 singles show this off perfectly with the barnstormer ‘Big Strong Man‘ and the reflective ‘If I Should Fall‘ both of which we’ve reviewed previously.
Melding elements of soul, funk, blues, gospel and a lean towards pop (without ever compromising) this album takes us on a journey. It may have only taken a year to record but the material used clearly comes from a life-time. The attention to detail on each track is amazing, with the musicians (including the likes of David Lyttle, Jon Tiven and local Jazz legend Linley Hamilton) and St John working in tandem to produce something fresh and real but with a truely professional sound.
Comparisons to Dusty Springfield and Paloma Faith come all to easilyy, but make no mistake whilst Amanda St John is at that level of talent, her music has a style that is entirely her own. Just as the album started on the track ‘Grow’ in finishes on the same track but it’s now fleshed out and filled in, it’s matured and grown into something entirely different. An interesting way to book end the album and one that really seems to work.
This is 13 tracks of heart-breaking, toe tapping, love and loss, that elevate Amanda St John to the next level.
Pick of the Album: For me it’s ‘Big Strong Man’
For Fans of: Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, Paloma Faith
Amanda St John performs a show to celebrate the launch of ‘Grow’ on May 3 at the Black Box in Belfast as part of the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival .
