I have a short attention span; I rarely listen to an entire album in a single sitting but I turned on Evelyn Jess’ new CD Bare Bones, listened all the way through, and hit repeat.

I’ve been doing that all week.

Jess tells interesting stories in interesting ways, and has built an album that rewards re-listening. It’s an album for the heart and mind — emotive, thoughtful and entertaining.

The collection opens with ‘Trepassey in June’ a fun song about iconic aviator Amelia Earhart and quickly pivots to the powerful title track — a dynamic, layered song that is going to find a home on my favourites playlist… eventually.

I can’t add it yet because Bare Bones not available digitally. With the exception of four singles, the album is only on CD right now. The format has encouraged me to listen to the album differently; I play it in sequence and in its entirety. I appreciate the nudge in that direction.

The disc is getting it’s official launch on May 13th, 2023 with a show at Gower Street United Church with performances by Spectrum Queer Choir and Strong Harbour Strings. 

Tickets are $25 and include, not only admission to the show but a CD copy of the album. To top it off, proceeds from the event will be donated to the Spectrum Queer Choir and Strong Harbour Strings.

Where else are you gonna get a good night out, a good deed and a good record for $25?

If you can’t make it to the show, you can get Bare Bones at Fred’s Records and Atlantic Music Store Online.

Listen to Evelyn Jess and a whole lot of other great music from Newfoundland and Labrador on the Product of Newfoundland Newfoundland and Labrador Mixtape.