Review of "Spaces Between Words" single (25 April, 2019)
"Nelson based singer songwriter Jacquie Walters is about to release an alluring new single Spaces Between Words, featuring James Wilkinson on bass and Jacquie on guitar and vocals. Jacquie and James have shared many musical memories spanning over 25 years. This emotive track is yet another string to add to their bow of exquisite collaborations.
"A beautifully composed track, graceful and sincere; Jacquie delivers heartfelt and moving lyrics eloquently. Emotional and haunting, Spaces Between Words is engulfed in rich warm bass which adds to the sentiment of this song. Jacquie’s guitar playing complements James on bass at every strum.
"Jacquie Walters delivers the touching lyrics in an excellent clear and concise manner, showcasing the strength and range of emotion in her voice. Spaces Between Words literally took my breath away when I heard it.
"This song sounds like it is telling part of a personal tale. It is deeply moving. Jacquie is an excellent songwriter. Distinct; descriptive storytelling makes it easy to feel her words.
"With an abundance of musical history, Jacquie and James have a truly cohesive and gorgeous sound, which I hear is pretty amazing live as well. This is a stunning song which deserves a solid five stars. I thoroughly recommend it."
***** (5 Stars)
Corinne Rutherford (Muzic.net.nz)
"A beautifully composed track, graceful and sincere; Jacquie delivers heartfelt and moving lyrics eloquently. Emotional and haunting, Spaces Between Words is engulfed in rich warm bass which adds to the sentiment of this song. Jacquie’s guitar playing complements James on bass at every strum.
"Jacquie Walters delivers the touching lyrics in an excellent clear and concise manner, showcasing the strength and range of emotion in her voice. Spaces Between Words literally took my breath away when I heard it.
"This song sounds like it is telling part of a personal tale. It is deeply moving. Jacquie is an excellent songwriter. Distinct; descriptive storytelling makes it easy to feel her words.
"With an abundance of musical history, Jacquie and James have a truly cohesive and gorgeous sound, which I hear is pretty amazing live as well. This is a stunning song which deserves a solid five stars. I thoroughly recommend it."
***** (5 Stars)
Corinne Rutherford (Muzic.net.nz)
Gig Review: Acoustic Routes, Nelson - 10 February, 2019
The truly dynamic opening of ‘Kiss Me in the Morning’ had us all sit up and pay attention to Jacquie Walters and James Wilkinson, main guests for the evening. What a fabulous duo these two are. They moved through to songs ‘North Berwick’ a love song written by Jacquie while in her 20s with the lovely line “a sickle moon holding a star in its hand” and then ‘When the Fire Comes to Town’ (also Jacquie’s). These were quieter, reflective songs, lovely, though the fire song was just a bit raw in light of the fire going on in Tasman.
I really enjoyed the song talking about love from opposite perspectives, "Time will tell" - negotiations between older-age new lovers wanting to be fair to each other gave us some great, and perhaps familiar, images. This was followed by a very powerful Steve Knightley cover ‘You’re Mine’.
Jacquie and James are each exceptional musicians. Jacquie has always been an excellent singer, songwriter and is a very accomplished guitarist. Tonight she was on fire! Looking fabulous and with a new found power and depth in her voice that we have not heard before. This is a seismic shift that opens up a whole new world of singing and songs for Jacquie and we can’t wait to see where it all goes. Wow!
James has an array of amazing skills with guitar and bass that really lift song arrangements to a whole new place too. It is an entertainment of itself to watch him play, particularly because his passion for the music is written all over him as he loses himself in each song. James is an extraordinarily inventive and truly individual musician. He did not sing very much - though he clearly has a lovely voice too and their two voices blend really well.
Jacquie and James have developed a great stage rapport and a humour between them that is fun and relaxed..
'Faerie Tales’ written by Jacquie for her daughters while thinking about just how little girls are set up for romantic ideas, has wonderful lyrics. James’ guitar wizardry as accompanist made this number brilliantly magical.
There were other lovely songs too, including ‘I’ll Wear Yellow’ about the town reeling from the murder of a bride-to-be; and a winter trip to Mt Cook with the kids entitled ‘Look Up’ - each reminding us just how well Jacquie writes.
They were never going to escape without an encore and Jacquie described it as being a sentimental choice for them both. ‘ Jock O Hazeldean’ has long been a favourite of Jacquie’s and is a song performed by Rua when James was part of that group. Jacquie and James evoked the Rua sound with their arrangement but managed to make it their own - a modern, unusual and again stunning arrangement. This brought a finish to a very classy concert that certainly left us all wanting more. What a great start to the 2019 year at Acoustic Routes Nelson.
By Alison Pickford
I really enjoyed the song talking about love from opposite perspectives, "Time will tell" - negotiations between older-age new lovers wanting to be fair to each other gave us some great, and perhaps familiar, images. This was followed by a very powerful Steve Knightley cover ‘You’re Mine’.
Jacquie and James are each exceptional musicians. Jacquie has always been an excellent singer, songwriter and is a very accomplished guitarist. Tonight she was on fire! Looking fabulous and with a new found power and depth in her voice that we have not heard before. This is a seismic shift that opens up a whole new world of singing and songs for Jacquie and we can’t wait to see where it all goes. Wow!
James has an array of amazing skills with guitar and bass that really lift song arrangements to a whole new place too. It is an entertainment of itself to watch him play, particularly because his passion for the music is written all over him as he loses himself in each song. James is an extraordinarily inventive and truly individual musician. He did not sing very much - though he clearly has a lovely voice too and their two voices blend really well.
Jacquie and James have developed a great stage rapport and a humour between them that is fun and relaxed..
'Faerie Tales’ written by Jacquie for her daughters while thinking about just how little girls are set up for romantic ideas, has wonderful lyrics. James’ guitar wizardry as accompanist made this number brilliantly magical.
There were other lovely songs too, including ‘I’ll Wear Yellow’ about the town reeling from the murder of a bride-to-be; and a winter trip to Mt Cook with the kids entitled ‘Look Up’ - each reminding us just how well Jacquie writes.
They were never going to escape without an encore and Jacquie described it as being a sentimental choice for them both. ‘ Jock O Hazeldean’ has long been a favourite of Jacquie’s and is a song performed by Rua when James was part of that group. Jacquie and James evoked the Rua sound with their arrangement but managed to make it their own - a modern, unusual and again stunning arrangement. This brought a finish to a very classy concert that certainly left us all wanting more. What a great start to the 2019 year at Acoustic Routes Nelson.
By Alison Pickford
"Light for a Broken World" album review - 17 January, 2018
Christchurch born and bred, Jacquie Walters recorded her first song Bob Dylan’s Dream when she was six years old. Singing Dylan and Joan Baez songs with her parents from an early age was her introduction to singer-songwriters. Jacquie is now based in Nelson and has just released her new album Light For A Broken World featuring James Wilkinson.
The back story to Jacquie’s musical career is a tapestry of rich and colourful moments performing in places such as London, Paris, Strasbourg and Sydney, Making a name for herself as a folk artist in the northeast of England, gaining an honourable mention in the Billboard World Song Contest and the Unisong International Song Competition. She has recorded three CD's and numerous EP's as a solo artist and as a member of Pounamu and Freewheelin.
Jacquie and James, who have shared many musical moments together over the last 25 years, have both brought this album to life. Jacquie's descriptive storytelling seems to effortlessly flow through her song writing, this is further enhanced by a beautifully lyrical voice.James Wilkinson compliments Jacquie with his enchanting instrumental and vocal accompaniment. The sound of bass adding another layer of depth to a selection of tracks.
Perhaps I may describe Light For A Broken World as acoustic folk, it is a smooth blend of original material (all songs are written by Jacquie), strong vocals and impeccable guitar playing. Her voice has been described as “clear”. Clear, strong and well defined is a perfect way to describe it.
The opening track, which is also the title for the album is based around a Japanese concept that flaws in objects are part of their beauty. “Hey light for a broken world. These cracks in the clay leave room for the light. These beautiful faults in this world of mine.” This was lovely introduction to this album, however I’ll wear yellow and you stayed were the two songs which I played repeatedly.
Jacquie shared with us through this album, some very personal moments in her life. Eloquently. Distinctly.
On the 11 track album is unquestionably some incredible song writing, faerie tales and the letter are two examples. Look Up, which is the final track, also features several of Jacquie’s family members and that wonderful sound of the fretless bass coming through from James.
Listening to Light For A Broken World, has been an educational and beautiful journey.
The physical CD comes with a booklet and the lyrics. This on the back cover of the CD sleeve I rather appreciated.“Do not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world. All things break. And all things can be mended. Not with time, as they say, but with intention. So, go love intentionally, extravagantly, unconditionally. The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is you.” - From “InHumanity: Letters from the Trenches’ by L.R.Knost.
Review written by Corinne Rutherford
The back story to Jacquie’s musical career is a tapestry of rich and colourful moments performing in places such as London, Paris, Strasbourg and Sydney, Making a name for herself as a folk artist in the northeast of England, gaining an honourable mention in the Billboard World Song Contest and the Unisong International Song Competition. She has recorded three CD's and numerous EP's as a solo artist and as a member of Pounamu and Freewheelin.
Jacquie and James, who have shared many musical moments together over the last 25 years, have both brought this album to life. Jacquie's descriptive storytelling seems to effortlessly flow through her song writing, this is further enhanced by a beautifully lyrical voice.James Wilkinson compliments Jacquie with his enchanting instrumental and vocal accompaniment. The sound of bass adding another layer of depth to a selection of tracks.
Perhaps I may describe Light For A Broken World as acoustic folk, it is a smooth blend of original material (all songs are written by Jacquie), strong vocals and impeccable guitar playing. Her voice has been described as “clear”. Clear, strong and well defined is a perfect way to describe it.
The opening track, which is also the title for the album is based around a Japanese concept that flaws in objects are part of their beauty. “Hey light for a broken world. These cracks in the clay leave room for the light. These beautiful faults in this world of mine.” This was lovely introduction to this album, however I’ll wear yellow and you stayed were the two songs which I played repeatedly.
Jacquie shared with us through this album, some very personal moments in her life. Eloquently. Distinctly.
On the 11 track album is unquestionably some incredible song writing, faerie tales and the letter are two examples. Look Up, which is the final track, also features several of Jacquie’s family members and that wonderful sound of the fretless bass coming through from James.
Listening to Light For A Broken World, has been an educational and beautiful journey.
The physical CD comes with a booklet and the lyrics. This on the back cover of the CD sleeve I rather appreciated.“Do not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world. All things break. And all things can be mended. Not with time, as they say, but with intention. So, go love intentionally, extravagantly, unconditionally. The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is you.” - From “InHumanity: Letters from the Trenches’ by L.R.Knost.
Review written by Corinne Rutherford
Fairfield House - 30 July 2017
Very occasionally a concert comes along for which there are few superlatives to adequately describe the quality of the performance.
James Wilkinson and Jacquie Walters provided such an event, completely wowing their audience at Sunday night's acoustic performance. Word had clearly got around that something special would ensue as the venue was packed out.
James and Jacquie have blended their musical voices from time to time throughout the last twenty five years but what transpired tonight was a masterclass in musicianship. The playlist, largely consisting of Jacquie's songs with a few covers and some instrumental pieces from James' repertoire showed off the spectacular talent of both.
James' ability to tease every possible nuance from his guitar was displayed in intricate melodies and finger dexterity in his composition "Hoar Frost". His Arabian inspired accompaniment to Jacquie's "Fairy Tales" was both unexpected and captivating.
Jacquie has been writing songs since childhood and this was a chance to pair ones from her past such as "Papatuanuku" which honours the spirit of the land and which she and Ariana Tikao sang when they were chosen to present The Body Shop's petition against nuclear testing to the French Presidential Palace in 1996.
The more recent "Look Up" which expresses awe of the Mt Cook region is in marked contrast to Pink's "Try" but just as successful as is the delightful "I'll Wear Yellow". Jacquie is a storyteller with a voice that is achingly beautiful, poignant, versatile and strong.
As this concert clearly showed, James and Jacquie are a musical match made in heaven. With such a wealth of material and experience between them, the world really is their stage. Nelsonians were very lucky indeed to hear these two before their musical talent takes them much further afield as it surely will.
Adrienne Matthews, The Nelson Mail
James Wilkinson and Jacquie Walters provided such an event, completely wowing their audience at Sunday night's acoustic performance. Word had clearly got around that something special would ensue as the venue was packed out.
James and Jacquie have blended their musical voices from time to time throughout the last twenty five years but what transpired tonight was a masterclass in musicianship. The playlist, largely consisting of Jacquie's songs with a few covers and some instrumental pieces from James' repertoire showed off the spectacular talent of both.
James' ability to tease every possible nuance from his guitar was displayed in intricate melodies and finger dexterity in his composition "Hoar Frost". His Arabian inspired accompaniment to Jacquie's "Fairy Tales" was both unexpected and captivating.
Jacquie has been writing songs since childhood and this was a chance to pair ones from her past such as "Papatuanuku" which honours the spirit of the land and which she and Ariana Tikao sang when they were chosen to present The Body Shop's petition against nuclear testing to the French Presidential Palace in 1996.
The more recent "Look Up" which expresses awe of the Mt Cook region is in marked contrast to Pink's "Try" but just as successful as is the delightful "I'll Wear Yellow". Jacquie is a storyteller with a voice that is achingly beautiful, poignant, versatile and strong.
As this concert clearly showed, James and Jacquie are a musical match made in heaven. With such a wealth of material and experience between them, the world really is their stage. Nelsonians were very lucky indeed to hear these two before their musical talent takes them much further afield as it surely will.
Adrienne Matthews, The Nelson Mail
Acoustic Routes Nelson 12 - Feb 2017
The second half was all Jacquie Walters’ space but she decided to share it with James Wilkinson, an astounding bass player and singer in his own right. I have always enjoyed the ability James has to tuck under a performer and lift the whole show to a new level. Jacquie has a great musical pedigree, the club newsletter told of many of her achievements and many of the reasons she has the history she has were demonstrated during her set of ten songs.
Jacquie and James sailed straight into the song, Papatuanuku, that took me back to the first time I heard Jacquie sing at the Canterbury Folk Festival with Ariana Tikao. This song carries a strong message, with great lyrics and beautifully sung by Jacquie, supported by James.
Jacquie has a great way of coming up with a subject and writing it to suit her voice, clear strong, confident and hot on the night, the stage lights and summer heat may have added to that. But I have always said there is nothing wrong with heat. Her songs about her strong-minded daughter and parents, When the World Turns (I think her titles are just as good as the songs) let us hear beautiful clarity on her higher notes, the fretless bass, like a vocal harmony, was magic in this emotional song. James gave us some insight into his guitar playing dexterity with The Tree, a 1995 song for nuclear awareness. Other songs from Jacquie,18 Roses, one of my wife’s favourites, Trust, Harvest of Tears and others, took us into thoughtful and rather sad places, then we were given a little relief with a song dedicated to Evey McCauliffe about immigration, or the lack of it, Just Open the Door. This was a brand-new song only a week old, so a great first outing, a song for the turning of the New Year, then a tribute to Robbie Burns with Ae Fond Kiss, wrapped up the night.
I think everyone went home feeling they had a great night’s variety of songs. One thing I do feel that is worth saying, is that the W of emotions, when considering a set list, ensures everyone has a lift in the middle of the set and leaves on a high. This did happen, but for me Jacquie created more of a U of emotions, but it still worked.
Thank you to everyone involved in making the folk club the friendly supportive gig that it is.
Roger Lusby
Jacquie and James sailed straight into the song, Papatuanuku, that took me back to the first time I heard Jacquie sing at the Canterbury Folk Festival with Ariana Tikao. This song carries a strong message, with great lyrics and beautifully sung by Jacquie, supported by James.
Jacquie has a great way of coming up with a subject and writing it to suit her voice, clear strong, confident and hot on the night, the stage lights and summer heat may have added to that. But I have always said there is nothing wrong with heat. Her songs about her strong-minded daughter and parents, When the World Turns (I think her titles are just as good as the songs) let us hear beautiful clarity on her higher notes, the fretless bass, like a vocal harmony, was magic in this emotional song. James gave us some insight into his guitar playing dexterity with The Tree, a 1995 song for nuclear awareness. Other songs from Jacquie,18 Roses, one of my wife’s favourites, Trust, Harvest of Tears and others, took us into thoughtful and rather sad places, then we were given a little relief with a song dedicated to Evey McCauliffe about immigration, or the lack of it, Just Open the Door. This was a brand-new song only a week old, so a great first outing, a song for the turning of the New Year, then a tribute to Robbie Burns with Ae Fond Kiss, wrapped up the night.
I think everyone went home feeling they had a great night’s variety of songs. One thing I do feel that is worth saying, is that the W of emotions, when considering a set list, ensures everyone has a lift in the middle of the set and leaves on a high. This did happen, but for me Jacquie created more of a U of emotions, but it still worked.
Thank you to everyone involved in making the folk club the friendly supportive gig that it is.
Roger Lusby
"18 Roses" single launch, The Playhouse - 4 April 2014
Jacquie Walters' performance at The Playhouse was a highly anticipated event and a chance for her to introduce her new single “18 Roses” along with other numbers from her soon to be released album of the same name. The performance was, however, much more than this.
Jacquie produced a stunning retrospective of her decades in the music business with a wide selection of songs from her previous three albums, “Mihi” (with Ariana Tikao), “Dreamwalking” and “Step Into the Light”, as well giving a taste of her new songs.
What became obvious very quickly was that Jacquie’s song writing ability is of such a high calibre that her songs transcend the period they were written in and are as relevant and heart-warming today as when she first put pen to paper. Although most have their roots in personal experiences, their language is universal.
Beginning with “Warrior of Song” Jacquie reminded us of her protest movement days in the 1990s and “The River” highlighted the perennial arguments over land and water resources. Much later songs such as “Driving Home” and “Follow the Moon” display the same vocal intensity and attention to detail which shows a remarkable consistency throughout her extensive song writing career.
Jacquie switches easily between her two guitars and gave a beautiful performance of “Trust” while playing her unique Roger Hartshorne instrument. Her guitar playing in itself is remarkable. A fellow concert goer beside me was astounded at the combination of sounds she can produce simultaneously from the one instrument. At times it certainly sounds as if she is playing two as in “Love You Strong”.
It is this high degree of skill that makes Jacquie’s performances so polished. Not many artists are able to maintain such an unrelenting high standard on their instrument while producing a vocal quality that is both rich and expressive and never misses a beat. Her top notes are as exquisite as her low ones and equal to any of the great vocalists of the last thirty years. Her unaccompanied “Rain” was magnificent.
Jacquie’s stage presence is both professional and warm. She radiates love for her craft and her every note and word comes from the heart.
It is impossible to classify Jacquie’s music. She belongs alongside esteemed woman artists such as Mary Black, Joan Baez and Eva Cassidy who are simply in a league of her own. Jacquie is still relatively undiscovered thanks to years of working hard to establish her successful business Walters PR and raising children but I can see her easily on a stage performing to thousands once her musical essence is “discovered”. I await with eager anticipation the completion of the new album “18 Roses” as another magnificent step on her musical path.
Adrienne Matthews, The Nelson Mail
Acoustic Routes - December 2013
Last month’s club night was one of those occasions
that will remain with me for a long time - our guest was so good I had to pinch
myself and you could have heard a pin drop when she sang with immaculate
diction. Well done Jacquie Walters and also to Anna for talking this great (now
local) singer songwriter into coming to the club - PLEASE come again soon.
A polished performer with a truly gorgeous voice, Jacquie Walters' talents include writing great songs, not to mention her guitar skills! From stories told to her as she interviewed old loggers for a forestry magazine that she was writing for at the time, she has combined several true stories that she collected from these men. 'Harvest of Tears' should join the NZ folk repertoire.
A truly lovely performance.
David Marsh (Nelson Acoustic Routes)
A polished performer with a truly gorgeous voice, Jacquie Walters' talents include writing great songs, not to mention her guitar skills! From stories told to her as she interviewed old loggers for a forestry magazine that she was writing for at the time, she has combined several true stories that she collected from these men. 'Harvest of Tears' should join the NZ folk repertoire.
A truly lovely performance.
David Marsh (Nelson Acoustic Routes)
Acoustic Routes - 23 May, 2013
Once a month a musical treat, "Acoustic Routes", takes place at Yaza Cafe in Nelson. This is an opportunity to hear some of Nelson's finest acoustic musicians.
The May event was graced with a magical performance by Jacquie Walters, a singer/songwriter of extraordinary talent who has emigrated from Christchurch.
Although not well-known in Nelson, Jacquie (pictured at left) has toured extensively throughout Britain and New Zealand, performing at folk concerts and festivals. She was also part of the successful New Zealand group, Pounamu.
Jacquie's performance at "Acoustic Routes" displayed the depth of her songwriting ability. She tells stories with a lyrical style that is both spare and inherently beautiful. Not a word is used unnecessarily.
There were tears in the eyes of the audience, particularly during her rendition of new song 18 Roses based on a true story of a child asking for a bunch of roses for her birthday in order to "pay them forward" to others less fortunate. We Share A Heart brought more tears and thunderous applause.
The exquisite melodies are enhanced by Jacquie's ability to make her guitar speak as if it has its own voice - with subtlety and depth, every chord and nuance matched perfectly to her voice which has a rare purity and soul.
This is clearly a woman who has known the best and worst that life can throw. Her songs capture those experiences and make sense of them.
Jacquie's style is very much her own but I could hear hints of Beth Neilsen Chapman, Mary Black and Joan Baez.
Step Into The Light, her latest album, is a collection of songs that show this talented musician/storyteller at her best with 13 outstanding tracks.
Adrienne Matthews, The Nelson Mail
Jacquie Walters Music
PH (+ 64) 021 0730 454
Email: jacquie@walterspr.co.nz
© Copyright Jacquie Walters 2017
The May event was graced with a magical performance by Jacquie Walters, a singer/songwriter of extraordinary talent who has emigrated from Christchurch.
Although not well-known in Nelson, Jacquie (pictured at left) has toured extensively throughout Britain and New Zealand, performing at folk concerts and festivals. She was also part of the successful New Zealand group, Pounamu.
Jacquie's performance at "Acoustic Routes" displayed the depth of her songwriting ability. She tells stories with a lyrical style that is both spare and inherently beautiful. Not a word is used unnecessarily.
There were tears in the eyes of the audience, particularly during her rendition of new song 18 Roses based on a true story of a child asking for a bunch of roses for her birthday in order to "pay them forward" to others less fortunate. We Share A Heart brought more tears and thunderous applause.
The exquisite melodies are enhanced by Jacquie's ability to make her guitar speak as if it has its own voice - with subtlety and depth, every chord and nuance matched perfectly to her voice which has a rare purity and soul.
This is clearly a woman who has known the best and worst that life can throw. Her songs capture those experiences and make sense of them.
Jacquie's style is very much her own but I could hear hints of Beth Neilsen Chapman, Mary Black and Joan Baez.
Step Into The Light, her latest album, is a collection of songs that show this talented musician/storyteller at her best with 13 outstanding tracks.
Adrienne Matthews, The Nelson Mail
Jacquie Walters Music
PH (+ 64) 021 0730 454
Email: jacquie@walterspr.co.nz
© Copyright Jacquie Walters 2017
