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Jess Chambers and the Firefly Orchestra

by Jess Chambers

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1.
Island 05:32
I live on an Island. Close to the sea, waiting I live on a Mountain. As far as I see, I’m waiting Sometimes the earth moves This delicate land could sink under the sea Away underneath me, away underneath me We live on an Island. Made from the same dust we walk over We live on this Mountain. Forget ourselves, think we are greater Sometimes the earth moves This delicate land could sink under the sea Away underneath me, away underneath me E noho ana au ki te Mautere E noho ana au ki te Maunga We live on an Island We live on a Mountain
2.
3.
4.
Wanderers 03:11
5.
La La Song 04:21
Every day I'm watching you You have no idea how beautiful you are It's the little things that make you you Nobody can do that quite the way you do You are forever on my mind I couldn't forget you if I tried You are tattooed upon my hands, everything I do it for you La la la la la la I couldn't forget you if I tried You can believe me and the promises I make You know I cannot lie to you I only tell you truth You are forever on my mind I couldn't forget you if I tried You are tattooed upon my hands, everything I do it for you La la la la la la I couldn't forget you if I tried
6.
Low lights 03:49
I can feel the lowlights coming over me I can feel the lowlights from this state I’m in I can see the light now even though it’s dim A little glow on the horizon I can hear the music even in the dark Like a beacon and ringing in my heart As sure as the earth spins and brings me ‘round again To a little glow on the horizon Awake O sleeper and rise from the dead of night Let the day dawn upon you give you sight Lift up your eyes now and you will find There’s a little light on the horizon A little glow on the horizon A little glow on the horizon
7.
Weaving 04:10
8.
9.
Soldiers 03:27
10.
Diamond 03:19

about

Released in 2008 her debut solo album 'Jess Chambers and the Firefly Orchestra' garnered Jess critical acclaim and helped launch her as an artist in her own right. The opening track 'Island' was a finalist for the 2009 Silver Scroll, New Zealand's most prestigious songwriting award.

Justin Firefly Clarke brought together and conducted the 'Orchestra' featuring some of Wellington’s finest musicians, including Samuel Flynn Scott (Phoenix Foundation), Rio Hunuki Hemopo (Fat Freddy’s Drop, Trinity Roots), Tessa Rain (Fly My Pretties), Andy Hummel (Rosy Tin Teacaddy) and many more.

The album shimmers with melody and lyrical honesty, layers of strings and lush guitars delicately counter-balanced by Taonga Puoro (traditional Maori flute) and vocal harmony.


"Sweet soothing music from a rising local talent…The Wellington singer and songwriter set out to make an album of comforting music and spent five years searching for the right sound to accompany her delicate-yet- dynamic voice, a voice that soars lightly to hit the impossibly high notes of 'Reaching for the Moon' and just as easily swoops down to the sultry, lower register of 'Soldiers'."
Rating * * * * New Zealand Herald


"This album is one precious taonga"
Groove Guide


"A splendidly lyrical and haunting piece of work...there's no denying it's brilliant”
Salient Magazine


“Jess had the opportunity to perform two shows at WOMAD 2008 with a full nine-piece band. Delivering two stunning shows, Jess and band received standing ovations from the audience. A response that alludes
towards a very very bright future for this infectiously
irrepressible young singer.”
New Zealand Musician Magazine- June 2008

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credits

released July 1, 2008

Acoustic guitar and vocals: Jess Chambers
All other guitars and glockenspiel:Justin Clarke
Taonga Puoro: Alistair Fraser
Violin and Viola: Andrew Thompson
Cello: Rowan Prior
Backing Vocalists:
Holly Ewens
Hugo Wynne-Ewens
Grace Wynne-Ewens
Rio Hemopo
Matthew Holleman
Andy Hummel
Rob Hinkley
Samuel Flynn Scott
Justin Clark
Tessa Rain
Mandolin and Ukelele: Stu Pedley
String arrangements: Justin ‘Firefly’ Clark

All songs written by Jess Chambers
Album produced by Justin ‘Firefly’ Clarke
Co-produced by Jess Chambers

Recorded and engineered by Lee Prebble at the Surgery, Wellington NZ
Mastered by Don Bartley at Benchmark mastering, Sydney Australia

Photography: Andy Morley-Hall and David St. George
Cover Portrait painted by Freeman White
Album Design: Ben Crotty and Jess Chambers

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Jess Chambers New Zealand

New album 'Desire' a minimalist ode to love.

‘Jess Chambers' 2008 debut was full of mini-masterpieces from the depths of a haunted heart, and the follow-up is even more affecting.’ The Nelson Mail

'Like Welch and Rawlings these two had the ability, with just two instruments, to keep their audience engaged – entranced is not too strong a word – for the better part of two hours.' Karl du Fresne
... more

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