Jo Potter – Rocks

Jo Potter – Rocks – EP Review

Ahhh you gotta love it.  The last time I reviewed Jo’s music, I talked about the risk of having songs appear twice on one record when she added in three acoustic versions of tunes she had in the lineup of her album called Tonight.  I’ve always been the first to say my advice is definitely the last thing anyone out there should take seriously, because I’m just another A-hole on the internet – and so heck yeah, it definitely made me smile to see that Jo not only chose not to heed my warnings on how quickly an artist can wear out songs by having them appear multiple times, but that she instead completely leaned into that concept even harder by having EVERY track on her brand-new EP appear twice instead!  Yee haw!

In other, completely and totally unrelated news (I swear)…my entire existence is basically pointless.

Anyhow!  As the acoustic versions of her set began, I couldn’t help but hear the easy comparisons we could make to trailblazers like Melissa Etheridge and Sass Jordan as “Whiskey Haze” started up Jo’s new EP.  While it’s true that both of those artists are still alive and well, I had to pause for a moment and realize just how little of that SOUND is around these days in comparison to back when I was growing up.  I suppose the most active company Potter would be keeping would be someone like Bonnie Raitt, which is always a great name to share space with, and by all accounts, I’d reckon she’s a legend that’ll never die.  Raitt’s always got something goin’ on, and long may she run.  Jo too for that matter.  Last time around, I think she reminded me more of Morissette if I recall correctly…but she’s sounding solid on “Whiskey Haze (Acoustic)” – and truthfully, it’s always good to have this fine lady back in the mix as far as I’m concerned.  I’ve always enjoyed Potter’s music, and from the sound of the rhythm & hooks on “Whiskey Haze (Acoustic),” that feeling remains true to this very day.  It’s true that she’s treading fairly familiar terrain in writing about love lost and finding solace in the bottle…I think that’s probably a story we’ve all heard in some way, shape, or form throughout music’s history.  Having said that – a story told well, is exactly that – and no matter how many times you might hear it, it’s still engaging & entertaining when it’s done right, you feel me?  Potter’s got a very natural way of phrasing her lyrics and a deep, soulful connection to the way she sings them.  Is “Whiskey Haze” completely fictional?  To be truthful, the way she sings it would have you believing every word is completely true and based on real life experience, as potentially tragic as that might be.  I wouldn’t want Jo trapped in the bottle or a lifetime of misery…but sometimes the only way out, is through, as they say.  Writing songs like “Whiskey Haze” can be incredibly cathartic and a necessary part of the healing process.  So if this IS based on real life stuff, then I’d say she’s well on her way to climbing back from rock bottom and cleverly turning tragedy into fuel for her fire…and if this song is based on complete fiction, then she’s one heck of a writer and a completely convincing artist.  I’m going with “Whiskey Haze” being based in reality…I don’t know it for a fact, I just know it to be true…and I’m completely basing that on the connection Jo has with the material.

“Desire” is a really strong tune and a great addition to Jo’s diverse catalog.  It’s also a great example of my own objectivity, if I do say so myself!  I’d readily admit that, “Desire” isn’t really my own personal jam, but Potter’s performance is so damn good that it’s strong enough to get anyone onboard, you know what I mean?  So it’s like…kind of awesome to be able to be that convincing, ain’t it?  “Desire” is probably just a tinge outside of the style/sound I’d normally tend to listen to, but with the professional commitment that Jo brings to each and every note she sings, I’ll totally cop to being completely interested in this song beyond what I initially thought I’d be.  I believe those in the biz tend to call that the ol’ X-factor, do they not?  Jo’s always had that in her if you ask me, and it’s always fantastic to hear it come out onto one of her recordings.  Excellent rhythm at the core of this tune…Potter’s vocal melody and hooks continue to be sharp, focused, bold and beautiful…there are a lot of positives here.  All-in-all, she’s actually rocking with a significant amount of crossover sound in a song like “Desire” that could easily bring in fans of Country, Blues, Soul, Pop, Rock, Acoustic…am I leaving anything out here?  Is she?  Potter is practically covering all the bases in terms of her sound on “Desire” and delivered confidently on a track that’s got a little something for everyone in it.  It might not be a track that would have been a part of my normal diet, but the performance she’s put into “Desire” certainly makes it food for thought.

“Troubled” would be up there with my favorites in this set…I’m thinking that for these acoustic versions, I’d probably go with “Whiskey Haze” as my number one, “Troubled” next, and “Desire” as my third choice in terms of what appeals to me, but truthfully, I can easily find much to dig on in all three tracks.  What I enjoyed most about a track like “Troubled” in its acoustic form is that her crossover vibes seemed to expand even further…like, I feel like if I’m being completely honest with ya, this particular cut ends up reminding me of that humble, downhome feeling you get when you listen to the first album by Blind Melon.  Now I’m wondering what it would sound like if Jo covered “Change.”  Now I’m second guessing why I’d be wondering about that at all – she’s sound awesome covering that song.  Anyhow.  “Troubled” is a great tune!  I really like the subtle nature of the percussion in this track…which is probably created by something as simple as a tap on the ol’ acoustic guitar…but regardless of how it’s created, the gentle way that element guides this song along was a genius decision to include.  I’m truly impressed…the more I listened to “Troubled,” the more I felt like it could easily rival “Whiskey Haze” for my own number one choice of the set.  Jo’s vocals are absolutely outstanding, the guitars are stellar, and there’s like…what is that…a delicate keyboard in the background or something?  Is that just my imagination?  Awesome recording on these tunes altogether if you ask me…it’s crystal clear, very clean stuff, which really allows the star of the show to remain the star the entire way through, you know?  We’re here to listen to Jo Potter, and the way that the Rocks EP has been produced & recorded allows us all to get a true glimpse of the natural appeal she has as both a performer and a songwriter.  From beginning to end, she’s given us all reasons to listen to this set-list, but more importantly reasons to keep listening to it.  I feel like there’s an argument to be made that this is the best I’ve heard from her.

And so there you have it!  That’s the story of the Rocks EP, from my perspective.  And now we can talk about…wait, sorry…what’s that?  The other three versions of the same songs?  We’re really doin’ this?

Well okay then, I guess I’ve got a bit more to say here.  What a weird Twilight Zone life I lead sometimes.

I guess the main questions would be about whether or not these tunes are more effective or appealing in their acoustic or electric form.  I’ll say this off the drop…it’d probably have made a bit more sense to go with the electric versions upfront, considering the name of the EP and all…but yeah, that’s splitting hairs and not too important.  The point is, YES – Jo Potter does indeed Rock, eventually, after a while.

So…a couple things can be true at the same time.  I’ll readily say that I grew pretty damn attached to the acoustic versions of this set of songs…and that, yes, I’d advocate on behalf of the stripped down take on “Whiskey Haze” as being the stronger of the two – BUT…I’d also tell ya in the same breath it was rad to hear Jo come alive in this Rock-based variation.  It’s a more spirited energy and take on the song, which I think contains its own appeal ultimately…but if we’re talking about what works best with the actual theme of the writing, again I’d tell ya without hesitation that what she’s got penned to this tune as far as the lyrics are concerned, seems best suited to a mellower vibe and more thought-provoking melody.  That doesn’t mean I don’t like listening to “Whiskey Haze” in its electrified form – I do!  Just not quite as much as I enjoyed it as an acoustic track.  You see…another benefit of not having tracks appear twice is that you don’t have to put up with some rando like me comparing the two versions against each other…

The natural effect of a track that would be found towards the bottom of your list of favorites, even if you did enjoy it, like my personal experience with “Desire” for example, is that any twist or changes made are likely going to strengthen how you feel about something.  As in, sure, I’d probably be more inclined to say that the Rock-based version of “Desire” is probably a bit more appealing to me…I think?  I’ll be honest with ya…I was never too sure.  I think it came out about as strong as it could in each way Jo’s chosen to perform it, how about that?  What I really do like about these electric versions is that they sound freakin’ badass and bossed UP, you dig?  Potter’s X-factor is really something that she can’t ever hide from those of us truly listening, but I gotta say, it seems to come out a bit more emphatically when she goes electric.  Unplugged, it’s still there, but it changes…I guess you get a more humble version of Jo in those acoustic moments, whereas whenever she plugs in, she becomes the consummate entertainer.  So yeah man…I like that these electric versions come out BIG and BOLD…Potter’s got a very robust and soulful sound…and even if the Devil is trying to steal it from her on “Desire,” she seems fully in control.

I suppose what I’d tell ya, is that these versions WORK.  Is one way really all that better than the other?  I’m realistic about all that – no.  I mean, I have a personal preference, but that’s an entirely different thing.  Where I might think the acoustic versions of these tunes reveal a side of Potter’s sound that is probably more appealing to me, YOU might completely feel the opposite, and rock on if ya do!  I’ve got no qualms about the fact that Jo’s put herself in a great position to win you over either way…if you dig the Rock side of her vibe, turn it on UP I say!  If you’re feeling more mellow, then go with the acoustic.  The most important ingredients are the ones I’m the most sure about – she’s got substantial material that’ll hold up, and she’s put in remarkable performances that you couldn’t possibly take any points away from – ain’t that the stuff that REALLY matters?  I like the electric version of “Troubled” – but again, not quite as much as the acoustic version.  And so what?  I LIKE THE SONG – isn’t that the most important part?  I feel like anyone out there listening to the Rocks EP will come out with the same opinion more or less…we might feel partial to one particular version over the other, but the material itself, is completely strong throughout no matter how you slice it.  So heck yeah Jo – congrats on another job extremely well done…I’m always stoked to hear this artist thriving and putting out great new tunes, and I have been since way back some seven-odd years ago when I first started listening.

You know though…and I’m just thinking out loud here…I might be more partial to the acoustic versions because that’s the way we hear them in the order of the set-list first…and if the electric variations weren’t there, I wouldn’t have anything else to compare them to…or maybe I’d feel differently if the order had been reversed…  Split EPs…we couldn’t have gone that route?  Why the heck not?

I’m sorry, what’s that?  I’ve basically said all this already in a multitude of different ways you say?  Hmm.  Fair comment!  I hear ya.  I’ll let it go.  Listen to her once, or listen to her twice, or better yet, just keep her on your playlists permanently – Jo Potter is a talent sincerely well worth your time to listen to.

As for me…probably not so much.  😉

Find out more about Jo Potter from her official website at:  https://jopotterrocks.com

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