Jackie Bristow hasn’t released a new album in four years. But she has a really good excuse: The folk singer’s touring non-stop, and consistently appearing on some lofty play bills, opening for everyone from Art Garfunkel and Tommy Emmanuel to Jimmy Webb and Rick “Jessie’s Girl” Springfield.
The first big gig came in 2013, Bristow was selected as the opening act for blues journeywoman Bonnie Raitt during her three-city run in New Zealand. It’s a career highlight and evidence of just how talented Bristow is. It wasn’t connections that put her on stage with Raitt, it was natural musical ability. Bristow reached out to Raitt’s agent, which led to a selection pool of hundreds of other talented unknown Kiwis. After the group was whittled down to the top 10 candidates, Raitt came in to make the final call, choosing Bristow to open for her – and she’s still floating from the experience.
“We played beautiful venues for real music lovers,” Bristow says with a lovestruck teenager sigh.
As affirming as the barrage of big-time has been – she also received New Zealand’s prestigious Westpac Southland Music Ambassador Award last March – the musician is itching to finish her fourth record, Shot of Gold. Just last week, she launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for post-production and packaging and hopes to get it out early next year.
Bristow calls the record an “acoustic storytelling album” but it’s much more. The melancholy love confessional “I Don’t Want to Come Down” begins, “Your love’s like a shot of heroin/ Your love’s so beautiful where do I begin.” Bristow’s sweet alto voice and Steve Earle-quality lyrics makes for an engaging juxtaposition. On the minimal traveling tune “Whistle Blowin’,” she utilizes banjo just enough to bring another element to the guitar-vocals formula.
“It’s nice to play the new songs,” Bristow says. “I’m really going to try not to let four years pass by again before my next album.”
JACKIE BRISTOW and MARK PUNCH 5pm Sunday, Sept. 7. House concert; call 235-7662 to RSVP and get directions. $20; $30/couple.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.