Press
Press release, Herizon Foundation, September 2021
Interview: Back Story Song Podcast August 2020
National Cathedral School alumnae profile December 3, 2018
WMPG Us Folk with Chris Darling, November 9, 2018 (*Jenny’s 30 minutes starts about 1/3 of the way in)
Take Effect (Tom Haugen) November 5, 2018 “…The musicianship and singing are so positively uplifting, that I couldn’t think of a better antidote to a bad day than this charming feel good record.”
WoNoBlog (Netherlands) July 11, 2018 “…This is a beautiful album….It ought to find many ears to land in and never to leave again.”
Bloggerrhythms (Charlie Ricci) July 9, 2018 “As a singer she could easily succeed at any vocal style she pursued and would destroy (in a good way) the great American Songbook if she chose to.” (Charlie Ricci)
Gaesteliste.de (Germany / Ullrich Maurer) “Anyone looking for classical old-school songwriting in the Americana sector will find what they are looking for with Jenny Van West.”
Written in Music (Netherlands / Cis van Looy) May 30, 2018 “…[She] undoubtedly belongs to the big ladies’ club in singer-songwriterland.”
#3 in airplay, WERU, Maine, week of May 29, 2018
ctrl.alt.country (Netherlands)
RockTimes Magazine (Germany / Joachim “Joe” Brookes) May 27, 2018 “Almost unbelievable how Jenny Van West & Co. can express feeling in different ways.”
Music That Needs Attention (Netherlands / Theo Volk) May 2018 “Directly with the nostalgic, jazzy opener and title track from Happiness to Burn , singer-songwriter Jenny van West has me hooked.”
The Alternate Root / On the Radar, May 28, 2018 “A rich depth in the vocals of Jenny Van West provides a warmth for the songs on Happiness to Burn….”
Roots Highway (Italy / Marco Restelli), May 19, 2018 “…a very intimate album to which I really wish the luck it deserves….We hope it will start immediately.”
Beyond a Song with Rich Reardin (PRX) Parts 1, 2, & 3, May 11, 2018
Pop Matters, May 2, 2018 “‘Happiness to Burn’ is more than a jazzy title track. The song’s unique musicality showcases the depth of Van West’s talent and creativity. To begin an album with a song that defies listeners’ expectations is a bold move but will certainly widen her audience.” (Elizabeth Woronzoff)
Blues Magazine (Netherlands) “What I really am impressed with is the voice of Jenny Van West: velvety-soft, full of character and an effortlessly-sung range. A voice to fall in love with!”
207, WCSH 6, Portland, Maine, April 23, 2018
Real Roots Cafe (Netherlands / Jan Janssen) April 23, 2018 “Superlatives are too short….This mighty beautiful CD belongs in my opinion in the top 10 of 2018 of many Americana enthusiasts with a preference for country folk-tinted music. With me the CD comes up high. How high? There are still 9 months to go, but the candidates will have to come up with an amazingly good product to beat this superb CD.”
Maine Today, April 20, 2018 (Aimsel Ponti) “Van West’s record has arrived at the exact right moment because it’s as bright and warm as the sunshine we’ve all been waiting for after a particularly brutal, never-ending winter.”
Americana Daily April 20, 2018
IOU Music, April 20, 2018 “I could give you a long line of different artists that I see similarities to in certain songs, but I think that would take away from much of what I like about this album and Jenny’s style, the fact that it really is her own.”
Rocking Magpie (UK), April 18, 2018 “…Not just a super singer with a lovely and distinctive voice; but a marvelous and thoughtful storyteller too, which connected to Shane Alexander’s ace production and the mixing and engineering from Brian Yaskulka makes this, her second album shine like a star on a the darkest of nights.”
Thinking Lyrically, April 18, 2018 “An incredible voice that delivers on every song, the words are poignant and honest just like her voice throughout….A stunning record that shines a light on personal stories and happy moments, Van West delivers another wonderful record, lyrically and melodically.”
Indie Voice Blog (LA Music Critic / Bob Legett) April 13, 2018 “…Masterpiece of an album….Easily one of the best albums of 2018, you would be a fool to not rush out and get this one. It is destined to be a classic.”
Red Dirt Review, April 10, 2018 “Each song just buzzes and shines as each instrument and voice is given a chance in the spotlight, without overwhelming the listener.”
Baby Sue, April 2018 “Produced by Shane Alexander, these tracks will have you tapping your toes and snapping your fingers before you know what’s happening….This album is a credible and real success.”
Liverpool Sound & Vision (UK) March 16, 2018 “Even in the darkest of times, there needs to be a light that glows and Ms. Van West provides the spark which guides the way….In songs such as Live In A New Way, Where I Stand, Empty Bowl, Twenty Seven Dollars, Thresholds and the album finale in Embers, Jenny Van West, her producer Shane Alexander and the band, have not only found a way to see happiness burn, light the fire in which to keep warm as the cinders glow and dance in the ballroom of life, but they have collectively offered the listener an overpowering and legitimate reason in which to remember what it was to spread joy.” (Ian Hall)
Keys and Chords (Belgium) March 19, 2018 “Van West is, in the most positive sense, a bit of everything. A tad of jazz, a pinch of rock, a dash of country, but especially a serious portion of professionalism.”
Lonestar Time (Italy), March 2018 “…Performed with taste and passion, entertaining with class and showing a steady growth in composition.”
Rootstime (Belgium) March 31, 2018 “Yes, this record Happiness To Burn by Jenny Van West may rest here for a few weeks at the top of the stack of ‘often playing CDs’….” (Freddy Celis)
Michael’s Music Log, February 28, 2018 “…It is Jenny Van’s West’s vocals that are the focus and that sell this one.”
Americana Music Review, February 26, 2018 “We love this Maine-based artist’s voice….”
Take Magazine interview, June 13, 2017
Chris Wolf Show, Rockland, Maine, May 22, 2017
Maine Immigrant Musical Instrument Project
FIRST PLACE Maine Songwriters Association 2015 songwriting contest for “Nellie”
Something Real CD review: Face the Music by Aimsel Ponti, Maine Today / Portland Press-Herald, April 14, 2015
Listener Reviews
“Nellie is a classic.” —Noel Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul & Mary)
“Jenny plays her silky/sultry voice like a fine instrument through songs ranging between pastoral narratives, dogs lost and sexy solutions to mid-life crisis. She’s got both hands firmly on the wheel of her musical strengths and steers her listeners joyfully through a very entertaining and musically satisfying show.”
— Martin Swinger
“Just listened to these two songs, ‘Something Real’ and ‘Blackbird,’ and am just blown away. Partly by the strength and sweetness of your voice, and partly by the incredible sophistication of the music itself, the harmonies and progressions (I don’t really have the vocabulary).”
“It’s as if Nanci Griffith and Burt Bacharach had a love child with Joni Mitchell and Stephen Sondheim looking on fondly and ready to step in as godparents…”
“Am just totally blown away. Bravissima!!!”
“Just a major major WOW for Something Real—every single song is exceptional—every song attentively crafted and beautifully shared between musicians, singer and lyrics—a total heart thumping sometimes teary eyed tour de force—I love this CD and in a short time—one day—of listening—I can’t stop playing ‘Rest Awhile’—lovely lasting work of art!”
“Better than Xanax.”
“Words can’t express my admiration for what you have accomplished on your new album. Your voice is pretty, pure, and convincing. The songs are both beautiful and funny with gorgeous melodies. Arrangements and guitar playing are perfect. Well done!!”
“…Almost have the album memorized. And it’s on the road trip playlist, right along with Leonard, Brandi, Keith, and Madeleine. You’re in good company!”
“Wow, what a great recording! Your material is excellent. Your singing is stellar. Personnel is as tight as a bug’s butt. And Ed DesJardins did a bang-up job at the knobs, per usual. I love it!!”
“It’s like having you in my house in the least annoying way possible…not that you’re particularly annoying when you’re actually in my house.”
“Loving the CD…playing over and over. ‘Nellie’….[is] just a perfect combination of melody, catchy rhythm and sentimental twist — with cool lyrics. You have a HIT there in my book!”
“Lorsque tu chante on peut resentir beaucoups d’emotion, c’est magique lorsqu’une musique arrive a touché directement le coeur. Le coeur de l’homme est faite pour aimer, pour resentir la paix, pour adorer le Dieu du ciel et pour resentir la beauté de l’inspiration. La musique lorsqu’elle est bien canalisée peut aider l’homme a etre en harmonie avec lui meme et a etre en harmonie avec l’univers qui l’entoure, c’est fabuleux. Je trouve que ta musique traduit justement cela.
“J’ai ecouté une fois, ensuite deux fois puis une troisieme fois ton album, c’est vrai que je ne comprends pas l’anglais mais l’essentiel c’est que je peux resentir de l’emotion, me sentir bien dans mon etre.
“C’est important de composer une musique pour la paix de l’ame et de l’esprit. La musique peut guerir les coeurs brisés par la maladie et le chagrin, la musique peut redonner de l’espoir…Congratulations, Jen.”