Uxbridge · @UxbridgeArtsC
10th Feb 2016 from TwitLonger
Touring journey leads back to Howick - By PJ TAYLOR
A TRAILBLAZING Kiwi performer who’s taking her music to the world to great acclaim returns home soon to dazzle Howick with her talents.
Jackie Bristow took the leap of faith to try her luck in the tough musical arena of the United States a few years ago and continues to grow her already considerable reputation for delivering beautiful earthly songs with a country-pop-Americana flavour.
She’s been a favourite of Howick audiences in the past and her fans will be buoyed to know she returns to play Uxbridge Creative Centre this Friday evening, February 12.
She’ll deliver a collection of new compositions, the body of work that forms her new and fourth studio album Shot of Gold, which she has just been presenting to American crowds in shows supporting Australian master guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, who she’s toured and collaborated with many times in recent years.
“Shot of Gold is an album of real stories and experiences in my life – songs of struggle, joy, love, loss and healing,” says Bristow.
“I was living in Austin, Texas, when I wrote this album and was inspired by southern blues and country roots music and the people I met in that great live music scene.
“I stepped away from trying to write commercial mainstream music and wrote stories from my heart and my life.
“That’s why we recorded Shot of Gold with raw and sparse production built around my live solo performances.”
One of the new songs, Fallen Youth, lends lyrics from a poem written by an unnamed World War One Anzac soldier, words found in the public library of Bristow’s hometown of Gore, Southland. It was penned in remembrance of the Gallipoli 100-year commemorations last year.
“I’ve always had a gypsy spirit and my roots in music started in country music,” she says.
“My parents drove my sister and me all over the South Island to perform in music festivals and competitions.
“It was a lifestyle I got used to at a very young age. I dreamed of travelling the world making a living playing my own music, but New Zealand will always be where my heart is.
“I’m really happy to be back home to tour and play my new album and old favourites.”
The rollcall of star musicians Bristow has opened for and supported is impressive and includes Emmanuel, Bonnie Raitt, Marc Cohn, John Oates, John Waite, B.J. Thomas, Joe Ely, Rick Springfield, Phoebe Snow, Daniel Lanois, Jimmy Webb, Paul Williams and Howard Jones.
Her songs have also featured in New Zealand and Australian film and television productions such as Go Girls, Nothing Trivial, The Secret Life of Us, Home and Away, Outrageous Fortune, and Shortland Street.
Jackie Bristow presents her beautiful collection of songs at Uxbridge – Howick’s Creative Centre, this Friday, February 12, at 8pm. Tickets cost $22. Phone 535-6467.