Written by Harrop and Ian Barter (who worked as Amy Winehouse’s Musical Director), ‘Beautiful Fools’ is the first single from her hugely-anticipated new studio album, The Path Of A Tear, which was produced by the legendary Larry Klein (best-known for his groundbreaking work with a host of iconic artists including Joni Mitchell, Madeleine Peyroux and Herbie Hancock).
“Beautiful Fools is not about superficial beauty, but soulful beauty from deep within,” Harrop explains. “It is a salute to all the folks who wear their hearts on their sleeves and don’t hold back in love. There are those who have light inside of them, the beautiful souls who keep on giving regardless of what life throws at them. This song is for them.”
‘Beautiful Fools’ is an ear-watering slice of mid-70s soul with a subtle twist of jazz. Although, on paper, it initially sounds like a radical departure for Harrop, anyone who’s listened closely to her music won’t be too surprised. She may have built a reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary jazz, but Jo Harrop has soul running through her veins.
The Path Of A Tear features some of the finest jazz musicians in the world including guitarist Anthony Wilson (Diana Krall, Madeleine Peyroux), drummer Victor Indrizzo (Willie Nelson, Alanis Morissette) and pianist and Hammond B-3 organist Jim Cox (Leonard Cohen, B.B King) alongside Larry Klein on bass.
Recorded in September 2023 at The Village Studios in Los Angeles, The Path Of A Tear is due for release in June 2024, with a series of launch events scheduled to take place in London (Ronnie Scott’s), New York and Los Angeles.
“Working with Larry Klein was something that had only been a dream for me for a long time. With such a history of iconic albums under his belt, I was extremely excited but also slightly nervous to be collaborating with him. The first time we met, he immediately made everything seem easy and natural, and he was so complimentary about my voice and my songwriting. Larry trusted me and the musicians to bring our magic to the songs and allowed all this incredible creativity to unfold. It was a surreal but wonderful experience.”
Harrop cut her teeth as a session singer before establishing herself as one of the most unmistakable voices in jazz. Having signed to London-based jazz label, Lateralize Records, she released Weathering The Storm before bursting into the spotlight with a pair of critically-acclaimed, award-winning albums, The Heart Wants and When Winter Turns To Spring, her first collaboration with pianist Paul Edis.
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