Magic

Gary is back with his latest review! This week he looks at Something To Say by Jo Birchall...

This collection of songs from London based Jo has been a while coming. From her first sending a demo tape to Gary Barlow and ending up as a semi-finalist on the first ever series of Pop Idol, the journey for this album has taken 5 years – but it’s certainly been a worthwhile one.

There are three cover versions on the album, in amongst some very classy original songs. Whilst playing the through the songs I got the feeling that Jo sounded like an up to date Olivia Newton John and spookily, unbeknown to me until I got to the final track one of the covers is of Olivia’s hit ‘I Honestly Love You’. Covered also are ‘Woman’ by Toni Braxton and Rod Stewart’s ‘I Don’t Want To Talk About It’. Whilst the covers are perfectly passable, she really shines on the original songs, most of which fall into the country rock / ballad mould. Producer Brian Rawlings, who steered some fine albums for Cher, Lemar and Enrique Iglesias in the past, has done a great job on all these tracks, most notably the new single called ‘Don’t Let It Go To Your Heart’, and the beautiful ballad ‘Unanswered’.

She looks as good as she sounds and let’s just hope the follow-up doesn’t take quite as long, after all, there’s a new star in town.

Gary’s verdict: I give this album 4 out of 5