Jean Synodinos

Country of origin:

U.S.A.

Type of music generally:

Contemporary folk

Status:

Most recent release, Breathe (2006)

See also:

Jean Synodinos's site

Comparisons:

Michelle Shocked

Covers/own material:

Mix of own compositions, covers, and co-written material

General comments:

Jean Synodinos has a lovely, rich voice. Her musical style ranges through varieties of folk flavoured with country, pop, jazzy horns. Her music is a mix of her own work and a few covers. Her stylings are somewhat conventional, but done with energy and passion. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)

Recommended first album:

Lucky is the only one we've heard

Recordings:

• Lucky (2003)
• Breathe (2006)

Lucky

Release info:

2003—Fortunate Records, PO Box 152108, Austin, TX 87815-2108, USA—FR011

Availability:

See website for availability

Ecto priority:

Recommended

Group members:

Jean Synodinos—lead vocals, acoustic guitar, backing vocals

Guest artists:

Charles Rieser—electric guitar, acoustic guitar, baritone guitar, B3, mandolin, mandotar, vibraphones, shaker, late night kick drum, drum loop
Charles Searles—drums, percussion
Glenn Kawamoto—bass
Wayne Sutton—electrion guitar
Mac McNabb—electric guitar, slide guitar, acoustic guitar
David Hamburger—National guitar
Earl Poole Ball—piano
The Grooveline Horns
     Carlos Sosa—tenor saxophone, alto saxophone
     Fernando Castillo—trumpet
     Raul "Rolo" Vellajo—trombone
Ephraim Owens—muted trumpet
Steve Bernal—cello
Rob Hooper—vibraphones, corrupted drum loop
Catherine Berry—backing vocals

Produced by:

Charles Rieser and Jean Synodinos

Comments:

This is an interesting and well-constructed collection of songs. Jean Synodinos's lovely alto vocals are the central force, uniting the songs which sometimes feel jazzy, sometimes a little country, sometimes bluesy. Her "Gospel According to John" is a deadringer for Michelle Shocked's folk/rock sound, and come to think of it, her (excellent, by the way) cover of "Ode to Billy Joe" has that feel as well, though on other tracks, such as the bluesy "Time Take Time" or the jazzy, carefree "Sure Thing", the similarity is less evident. Contemporary folk fans should check her out. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)

Further info:

Email jeansynodinos@yahoo.com

Thanks to Sophia Gurley for work on this entry.