Jessie Baylin’s soulful Verve Forecast debut album Firesight is vibrant and refreshing. With her ability to convey an inner strength through capacious lyrics and captivating vocals it’s hard to believe she is only 24 years old.

Firesight offers a vibrant, soulful showcase for her talents as both an uncommonly insightful songwriter and a deeply expressive, effortlessly charismatic vocalist.

This album also encompasses wisps of jazzy cabarets with a hint of the twang of Baylin’s recently adopted hometown of Nashville. Several singers spring to mind, notably Dusty Springfield, Phoebe Snow and Maria Muldaur along with numerous modern musicmakers — an eclectic mix, to be sure. Tonally, Baylin’s voice shares a familiar, bluesy white-girl rasp with that of Amy Winehouse, although her music is decidedly much mellower. Spotting similarities with Norah Jones wouldn’t be misplaced, either, since one of Baylin’s songwriting partners is Jesse Harris, who is also one of Norah’s crew.

Recorded in Nashville with noted producer Roger Moutenot (Yo La Tengo, Rogue Wave), this album features contributions from some of Nashville’s most respected rock players, and songwriting collaborations with such notable co-writers as Whiskeytown member Mike Daly and grammy-winning songwriter/performer Jesse Harris, L.A. Troubadour Zack Hexum and the Rembrandts’ Danny Wilde.

Songs such as “Not a Day More,” “See How I Run,” “Was I On Your Mind,” and “The Glitter” showcase an amazing sense of fortitude. Without a doubt “Leave Your Mark” will leave chills up your spine.

Definitely, this is a fine record for “mature” music fans looking for something new that doesn’t fit into easy modern pop categories.

Firesight
by Jessie Baylin
Original Release Date: 2008
Number of Discs: 1
Label: Verve
Buy Album: Click Here

Jessie Baylin: Live on Park City Television

Hotel Cafe Tour: Jessie Baylin “Leave Your Mark”