Julyo’s newest album, The Willow Doesn’t Weep, is greater than a up to date blues report—it’s a residing testomony to collaboration, emotion, and international artistry. Presently being thought of on the 68th Annual Grammy Awards within the class of Greatest Up to date Blues Album, the challenge gathers a outstanding roster of vocalists and musicians from internationally, weaving their distinctive textures right into a cohesive and deeply transferring assortment of 13 tracks.
From the opening title observe, The Willow Doesn’t Weep (feat. Vanessa Jackson), the listener is immersed in an environment the place power and vulnerability coexist. Vanessa Jackson’s commanding voice soars with each grit and beauty, grounding the tune’s bluesy edge with heartfelt emotion. The manufacturing highlights Julyo’s up to date blues guitar work, whereas permitting Jackson’s supply to shine.
The collaborative spirit is a trademark of this report. On Flee, Mishell Ivon’s efficiency is fantastically complemented by the haunting interaction of Olga Milgrandt’s cello and Anna Mozolevych’s violin. Collectively, they remodel the observe right into a poignant blues narrative of escape and longing, supported by Dario Rodighiero’s delicate lap metal guitar. Rodighiero’s presence all through the album can’t be overstated—his mastery of piano, Hammond, Rhodes, and Wurlitzer supplies harmonic depth, and his preparations carry the challenge with fluid sophistication.
Lyia Meta takes the highlight on Wet Day, accompanied by the stirring harmonies of gospel choir The Epoch Home Choir. Meta’s deep vocal tone enriches the tune with resilience and gravitas, proving why she stays certainly one of right now’s most distinguished rock and up to date blues voices in Asia. The result’s an anthemic, nearly non secular expertise.
Cheri Moon brings her fiery vitality to Muddled Rivers, joined by Mack Beatz on percussion and manufacturing. Their chemistry creates a daring and infectious groove, blurring the strains between up to date blues and R&B. Anna Paloma, in the meantime, delivers one of many album’s most delicate and intimate performances on Issues Mentioned and Unsaid, imbuing the observe with a hushed honesty that lingers lengthy after it ends.
Instrumentals additionally play an important function. Twilight Blues (co-produced with Matthew Shell) and Fall’in Leaves (feat. Suzanne Grzanna) showcase Julyo’s lyrical guitar taking part in alongside fastidiously chosen textures like Reinaldo Ocando’s marimba and Mason Mazziotti’s engineering contact. These tracks remind us that the blues might be simply as eloquent with out phrases.
The dynamic Bayou Groove pulls listeners towards the American South, that includes America’s Obtained Expertise finalist Steve Ray Ladson on banjo, Rodighiero’s Hammond organ swells, and Arezki “Aki” Bouzid’s saxophones. It’s a joyful, genre-bending celebration that bridges Delta blues roots with up to date sensibilities.
Equally memorable are the vocal performances unfold throughout the album: Carolina Padron brings heat to Pissed off; Christina Rotondo injects vitality into Oh! Immediately is the Day, additional lifted by Hector Ruano’s harmonica and Peter Catucci’s bass; Keri Mansurova lends depth to Unhappy Noise; Samantha Bower offers mystique to The Spell of Ages; and Rachel Philipp closes the album with grace on Willow Tree, a reflective finale.
Behind the scenes, Francesca Pratt’s drumming drives the rhythmic spine throughout the report, whereas Nelly Efron’s bass and Mariano Beyoglonian’s mixing and mastering at Estudio Tritono in Argentina present the sonic polish. Extra engineering by Andrea Fresu at Hold Maintain Studios in Italy, Lughaidh Kelly at Windmill Studios in Dublin, and Raymond Holzknecht in Florida ensures that each observe resonates with readability and depth.
With lyrics penned by E.T. Murphy and pictures by Fabio Grassi, The Willow Doesn’t Weep just isn’t solely musically wealthy but additionally thematically cohesive. It stands as a strong assertion of resilience, nature, and emotion—qualities that align completely with the up to date blues ethos.
Because it vies for recognition on the 68th Annual Grammy Awards within the Greatest Up to date Blues Album class, this album represents Julyo at his most expansive and inclusive, elevating the blues language into new terrain whereas honoring the style’s roots. Every contributor provides a significant brushstroke to the bigger canvas, making The Willow Doesn’t Weep a really collaborative masterpiece worthy of its Grammy consideration.
