Jane Fallon

(NEW HAMPSHIRE) Jane was raised in rural California and Oregon in a large musical family. She began writing and performing at an early age and followed that up with 13 years of classical voice training and performance in a cappella groups. Her formal training, combined with a literature degree led to the inevitable – a lifetime love affair with songwriting. She figures she has written several hundred songs, several of which have received songwriting awards. Jane is working on her 5th CD of original music and performs regularly around the greater New England area including The Stone Church in Newmarket, and the Boston Folk Festival. Her songs have been heard on over 100 radio stations in the US and abroad including NPR, The Midnight Special, and WUMB Boston. This fall, Jane is publishing her first book, a unique combination of music and story. Part biography, part travelogue, part historical treatise, part creative exploration, the book chronicles the life of her dad from his journey in 1936 as an 11 year old from the depressed state of Arkansas to the grand promise of California and continues through his life until it culminates in his last job as a cattle rancher in Oregon. This latest release “Tangled in a Tree” was released in 2014.

The CD quickly takes flight with “Make it Right” a smooth intro groove that serves inviting vocals against full-tilt rhythm section, amazing acoustic guitar, inviting strings set against a mesmerizing vocal front from Fallon. Track 2 “Humming Lake” presents an inviting heartfelt follow-up piece that serves up slamming slide guitar, methodical musical build, and rich melody against impressive guitar ambience a grand slam chorus. This piece flows and ebbs its way through to emotional fruition making for an impressive follow-up statement. Track 3 “That’s Enough For Me” serves up an impressive Folksy Americana ballad painted against impressive harmonies, hypnotic vocal groove and well placed Americana fretwork. I would classify this style of as classic Americana, Folk, Blues, Singer/Songwriter to Acoustic Pop and even Saloon Jazz. As the CD slowly unfolds I can hear the musicianship from everyone involved is clearly above the bar with impressive bass lines, slamming solos, well placed Mandolin, Eloquent Strings, impressive solo guitar licks, Sporadic Percussive elements, Violin, Cello, Dobro, Slide Guitar, organ and thick soulful harmonies all built upon a thick as an impressive rhythm section. Song for song the effective combination of Fallon’s voice, world class songwriting and top flight musicianship it’s never once called into question. Now turning our attention over to Fallon, as for her vocal abilities - she is quite impressive and clearly feels comfortable in her own skin by letting it all hang out musically. As an artists she is quite inspirational because she is being true to herself. Her musical/vocal style is cut from the cloth of Peter, Paul and Mary, Maria Muldaur, Linda Rondstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Joni Mitchell and Carol King. Fallon showcases an infectious and appealing mezzo-soprano persona with a unique appeal makes her a bit magical. She reminds me a lot of Anne Murray and Joni Mitchell. Fallon showcases an impressive vibrato and falsetto. All of this makes for a strong and confident, experienced vocal ability across the board. I especially like how her voice just sort of flutters melodically with the music. Did I mention she also plays Guitar? Kudos goes out to the amazing guitar work from Steve Gilligan. This latest CD from Jane Fallon delivers 12 compelling tracks all providing an interesting snapshot of a clairvoyant, wise and spiritual artist. All songs deliver thought provoking lyrical wisdom with messages that are positive, passionate and extremely captivating and full of powerful wisdom. From grooving “Daddy Was a Cowboy” to melodic “Snow Angel” to rocking “Waiting on Oblivion” this CD has something for just about everyone. The CD ends with track 12 “Talk to Me” the perfect wrap for a catalogue like this. There’s even a bonus track called “A Cappella Ella.”

It’s hard to find any serious weaknesses when listening to the CD. There are a few minor things that I believe could make it even better. I wish there were a few more solo segments throughout the CD – other than guitar. Other Instruments like Piano, Harmonica, Electric Piano, Pedal Steel and Accordion would also complement this catalog very, very, well. I don’t get the album title and how it applies to the catalog - with respect to it's overall message. The actual CD itself is not made of high quality silk screen material. Some aspects of the production sound a bit dated reminiscent of music popular 20+ years ago - but this works well within the confines of Fallon's down home Folk sound anyway.

From start to finish this latest release from Jane Fallon entitled "Tangled in a Tree” is a powerful, inspirational, uplifting, delightful and impressive catalogue of music. The music is very consistent, well-crafted and extremely entertaining. Note for note, song for song there isn’t really weak piece on this entire catalogue. The production strokes: writing and playing abilities of this production are rock solid. The catchy folksy melodies and harmonies are well crafted and the lyrical content is packed to the hilt with rich conventional wisdom and a strong spiritual connection may will gravitate to. The songwriting – all consistent musical experiences, each one possessing a unique personality, flair and signature groove. The writing, playing and singing abilities of Jane Fallon and her band are rock solid. The artistic presence from Fallon is impressive and her overall persona is something many folks will gravitate towards. Jane Fallon is one of the good artists in a world full of soulless clutter.

Cyrus Rhodes - Indie Music Digest - Cyrus Rhodes

Singer Songwriter- guitarist Jane Fallon is the quintessential folk storyteller. Her poignant prose and beautiful voice engulf the listener with grand tales of vivid imagery and aplomb while combining complex elements of country, folk, and Americana. For her latest album, Tangled in a Tree, Jane enlists a top shelf cast of musicians that include Steve Gilligan on guitar, Tom Ruckey on Drums, Kenny Selcer on guitar, Deb O’Hanlon on vocal harmony, Jeff Root on Synth, bass, and guitar, Bob Francis on mandolin, Rob Carlson on Dobro and Slide, and Michael Ronstadt on cello, to develop her stories of everyday love, life, friendship, and satisfaction.

Songs of note include the magnificent opener, “Make it Right” which spawned the CD’s title, the picturesque “Daddy Was a Cowboy”, the honky tonkin’ “One More Last Time”, the beautiful memories of “Snow Angel” the two Steppin’ bop of “Foolish Pleasures” and the uplifting “A Cappella Ella”.

Playful, inspired and wonderfully recorded, Jane Fallon offers another fabulous offering that should be shared by the world.

Outstanding! - Metronome Magazine

Jane Fallon puts a lot of grit into her fifth CD, Tangled In A Tree. Her songs are rugged adventure stories and she supports them with an almost strident vocal, edgy country twang, earthy acoustic instruments, and a rock and roll heart. Fallon has lived all around the United States, and she picked up song ideas from every area she had settled in. This life experience gives the singer-songwriter a variety of lyrical inspirations and a variety of song structures.
Opening track “Make It Right” finds Fallon calling on people to make the most of each moment with others that they care about. She applies her gentle, tender croon to drawing as much emotion of her message as possible, and there is a lot of heart here. Fallon’s flowing voice matches the moody beauty of Michael Ronstadt’s cello melody. The songwriting affects the listener’s emotions without even trying. No maudlin sentiment. She just tells it like it is, reality, and that’s enough to feel what this is all about.
“Humming Lake” is another contemplation of human bonds. Here, the singer-songwriter gets an extra lift from Bob Francis’s mandolin injections. Fallon’s smooth timbre and easeful approach contrast beautifully with the brittle, sweet mandolin notes.
“That’s Enough For Me” is another tender number driven by a gritty acoustic guitar melody. Again, Fallon’s whispery sweet voice contrasts well with the note picking action going on beneath her, making each sound beautiful, natural, and tender. This creates a warm home for her lyrical insights into the responsibilities of friendship.
“Daddy Was A Cowboy” is a potential hit song on adult contemporary radio. Fallon is seriously assertive here, like a woman strong enough to have been raised by a cowboy. She contemplates all of the possible fates that may have befallen her cowboy father. Chirpy Dobro from Rob Carlson and synthesizer from producer Jeff Root give this a nice western, out on the range feeling. Over that, Fallon emotes the longing for a connection to one’s father all children have, giving this tune a universal theme.
“One More Last Time” is another with country roots flavoring. Carlson is back with his tasty, rootsy dobro notes, each one percolating finely behind the vocal. Fallon wraps her voice around this gritty, western swing number with great aplomb. Listeners get a good dose of her wholesome attitude in her warm, assertive vocal projections.
Mourning love’s loss, “He Believes In Love” is another tender,
sweet acoustic number. Fallon’s lush vocal during her chorus pulls the listener in like a strong, helping hand pulling you over a barrier. The tone she maintains throughout keeps the listener wading knee deep through forlorn emotions. It’s all about a man who cannot have the girl he wants. She also balances an affectionate understanding of this man and his naïve view of love. There is a lot of contrasting emotions going on, and Fallon balances the ambivalence well.
“Snow Angel” is Fallon’s fond recollection of growing up in New England, playing in the snow after a blizzard blanketed her world with white stuff. Guitar work from Kenny Selcer and Steve Gilligan give Fallon a tapestry of beautiful notes to waltz over, which she does oh so well, with her warm, affectionate vocal.

“Peace” is a contented person’s plea for calm. Fallon maintains a fine tranquility in her song, asserting her message without asserting her vocal. Instead, she lets her sublime, low key vocal express what she calls for by calling for it peacefully. Sincerity and the warm wishes in this song carry it to a special place in the listener’s heart.
“Travelin’ Thru” finds Fallon using lovely sustains to emphasize the peripatetic lifestyle of people who drift around the world until they find their place in it. She creates special, magical moments in her chorus, stretching her timbre when making her point. Her guitarists, again, weave a special feeling in the backdrop of her song. They help her to make the listener feel what her song is about. Forlorn emotions abound as we imagine people living out the scenarios Fallon describes in her lyrical vision.
Another potential radio hit, “Waiting On Oblivion,” lets Fallon rock it up a bit. She brings a feistier edge to her vocal assertions. She describes people who are suffering from desperate low self-esteem, delivering a vivid portrait of these people and their bleak surroundings. Her guitarists go electric here and serve up an edgy backdrop to a particularly edgy lyrical conjuring. A listener cannot help but feel this one.
“Foolish Pleasures” sounds like something from The Great Gatsby era. Its swing influenced motions give one that jaunty, bump in the step feeling, as found in music from the happy 1920s. Fallon moves her vocal line smoothly and adeptly around the melody line from the Selcer guitar. Her voice is as sweet and smoothly soft as a clarinet melody. This song is a treat for the ears in on so many levels.

“Talk To Me” calls on people to talk to each other in person, as opposed to our modern options like texting, messaging, cell phoning, and e-mailing. Fallon sings in short bursts of energy as she playfully gripes about the people who do not address her in person. This gives her song a winsome charm. Never sounding angry or frustrated, she takes a humorous look at the family members and friends who seem to not notice who else is in the room when they’re fixated on their communication devices. Mandolin player Bob Francis gives it a sweet bounce, reinforcing the gentle wit of the song.
Fallon closes out her album with “A Capella Ella,” which, as the title implies, she sings without accompaniment. This lets the listener feast his ears on the natural beauty of her voice. Fallon also shows true discipline in the way she moves her voice around in this quiet number.
On sheer talent alone, Fallon is a force to be reckoned with. She could go far and do well with the right kind of marketing and management. The depths of her vocal, lyrical, and acoustic guitar talents cannot be described, completely, in words. She does some things so subtle that you just have to hear it to appreciate it. She is a true artist and her artistry shines through on many levels in every song on this disc. - Billy Copeland News

Fallon makes the type of music that requires you to leave your cynicism at home. For many a Bostonian, this would probably be a deal breaker, but it’s their loss. The music here is pretty, intelligent and expressive, mostly folk but with some country flair as well. Fallon’s songs have as much PMA as the Bad Brains and enough ruminations on friendship to fit in perfectly on a 7 Seconds record. Maybe the punks and the folkies aren’t all that different! The band is solid throughout, led by the subtly great playing of guitarist Kenny Selcer. (Kevin Finn) - The Noise

“Jane Fallon has the voice of angel. I mean it. This gal can really sing. Can you remember when you were a kid and you would hear a lullaby being sung over the radio or on a record? The voice was so soothing, beautiful and sweet. That’s Jane Fallon. I can guarantee that if you walked by a club or coffeehouse where Jane was singing, you would be compelled to walk in and listen. Her gift is that powerful.

On her new CD Gemini Rising . . . the Southern NH native offers gorgeous prose delivered by that beautiful voice. She’s mesmerizing, methodical and musical . . . Enjoy every offering on Gemini Rising but make sure you don’t miss album highlights like the swanky sass of “Money’s Gone Blues,” the back porch country bounce of “Battles” and the old timey appeal of “Blue Dress.”

- Metronome Magazine

“Her mix of gentle humor, intelligence and deep musicality imbues her songs with an artfulness that is unusual. . . . she is an adept story-teller and crafter of songs. Gemini Rising In A Patchwork Sky requires careful, attentive listening, as Fallon's greatest gift as a songwriter is in the details. Each song here plays as if it has been perfected through mercurial craftsmanship and care. This effect is accomplished without making the songs sound overwrought, which is a surprise, but Fallon's eye for detail is unquestionable. Spend some time with Fallon and Gemini Rising In A Patchwork Sky. You won't be disappointed.” - Wildy's World Online Blog

Jane Fallon’s latest release Gemini Rising In A Patchwork Sky, her third solo CD, confronts the emotions that burst onto the scene of several kinds of unfolding dramas. This singer-songwriter is also on a quest for salvation, for the things that nag at the human soul until redemption is found.

Opening track “Give Me Grace” finds Fallon singing in a straight forward manner about a journey through the Great Depression and asking for a little bit of salvation. With only her even tempered vocal and an assertive interval of acoustic guitar notes, Fallon creates a driven sound that looks right into the soul of a wearied traveler. When she steps it up a bit in intensity, Fallon creates a beautiful arc in her song, and it remains suspended, like a rainbow, something beautiful that holds up on its own inexplicable grace.

“It’s How Deep” puts Fallon’s fulsome sound to good use. There is ripe deliciousness in every picked note. The guitar is like a handful of juicy grape, each offering something sweet. A personable singer, Fallon makes you feel almost as if she is whispering the story in your ear when you’re in a roomful of people. She sustains some vocal notes with a smooth, slightly breathy timbre that is filled with a quiet beauty and strength.

The harmonica on “Money’s Almost Gone” glides in like a warm summer breeze and underscores the sad reality of personal economics. Fallon’s soulful drawl finds it way to the listener’s heart when she suddenly emphasizes a forlorn hope that things will turn out all right. She doesn’t sing directly of hope, but that she keeps going on despite her struggles says a lot.

Fallon covers “One Horse Town” by singer-songwriter Jim Henry and she makes it her own with that way she makes her voice at once assertive and smooth. Images of life within the county line come to striking life in her understated delivery. She sings beautifully but at the same time, let’s the pictures speak for themselves with out hitting the listener over the head with shifting dynamics.

The reflective and melancholy piano ballad “Don’t Forget To Forgive Me” gives Fallon a chance to emote from a deep place. And she does it with such artistry. Piano(Lori Diamond), cello( Mary Carfagna), violin(Phil Bloch), and bass(Fred Abatelli) encase this song with a bouquet of notes that make the situation feel even more forlorn and mournful. The situation is also mournfully beautiful in the pantheon of human experience, things that can happen to us in life, failures and mistakes that, while painful and regretful, make us who we are.

“Battles” uses adept instrumentation to conjure images of tension between human creatures. The guitar makes quick, choppy chords to represent sparring, and the mandolin infuses the music with a quirky energy to represent the fighting spirit. The hodgepodge of sound infuses Fallon’s song with greater depth and energy. You can appreciate Fallon’s wisdom while enjoying her soothing musical approach to one of life’s most challenging realities: interpersonal conflict resolution.

Fallon presents “Blue Dress” as a slow, country ballad, and the format works. Jaunty fiddle and bass underpinnings give the tune a flirty bounce that speaks well for Fallon’s songwriter skills. Over the country styling, the singer infuses the song with her fulsome vocal, once again, putting across deep feeling without affectation. It takes a true gift to reach a listener’s heart without relying on vocal gymnastics and without a lot of notes and chords flying around.

One of Fallon’s sadder songs, “The Boy He Used To Be,” relies on vocal sustains, milking significant words, to pull the emotional content to the forefront. The singer-songwriter looks at a young man in the military from the point of view of someone who knew him as an innocent child and now has to look upon him as someone who has lived through the horrors of war.

The African rhythms of “Run,” adeptly played by Oen Kennedy on a djembe, forge a bond between the listener and the women in this faraway land. Fallon puts the listener in a land where the norms are quite different, and she cheers on the female population who have to face trials and tribulations unlike her own. The song succeeds on so many levels, musically, vocally, when the chorus builds up and compels one to sing along. Lyrically, Fallon links to the women in this other culture, mothers, daughter working to keep their families whole.

“Country’s Winter Night” is Fallon’s strongest vocal performance on Gemini Rising. Her voice is filled with breathy enthusiasm and musical precision as she hits all the right spots, giving just enough oomph to keep the song rolling along with zest. It is as much fun as “Run” in that you want to sing along to the playful twists and turns in her verses.

Her title track uses her horoscope sign to build a serious metaphor between her life and the position of the stars. She doesn’t take astrology serious. She just uses the constellations to illustra - Bill Copeland

Jane Fallon is one of those special artists whose music you cannot really categorize. Her songs are simple, poetic and delicate acoustic dittys that have a unique, subtle charm and delight about them. Each song is beautifully crafted, and often has a slight celtic presence whilst Jane's voice is lovely and soothing . . . Jane's voice spreads across the lyrics, which leaves you totally breathless and speechless.

Nicky Baldrian - MHR Review

A good, loving album that deserves to be bought. It will make you sad and home-sicky and perhaps bring a smile to your memories. Jane sings it close to the mic, so you catch a voice that breaks against the edges now and then, proving herself real, and yet a real pleasure.

Ben Ohmart - Muse's Muse

Jane Fallon is a new voice to me, but she has a lot to say and is worth listening to. . . [she] makes comment on social ills that are well-known but seldom given space in our minds and thoughts . What better accolade can a songwriter have than being capable of such power in our modern world?

Nicky Rossiter - Rambles

A good, loving album that deserves to be bought. It will make you sad and home-sicky and perhaps bring a smile to your memories. Jane sings it close to the mic, so you catch a voice that breaks against the edges now and then, proving herself real, and yet a real pleasure.

Ben Ohmart - Muse's Muse

Jane Fallon is a new voice to me, but she has a lot to say and is worth listening to. . . [she] makes comment on social ills that are well-known but seldom given space in our minds and thoughts . What better accolade can a songwriter have than being capable of such power in our modern world?

Nicky Rossiter - Rambles