Jackie Conn’s debut album, Baking Day, is much more than just music; it is a carefully kept musical treasure. The album warmly invites listeners into decades of family history, with its roots deep in the mining areas of the Durham coast. This record shows Conn to be a gifted storyteller in the folk music style, with a voice that sounds both old and new at the same time. The album’s main idea is about finding lasting beauty and quiet strength in the everyday, unexciting parts of life.
Conn followed her love for singing for many years, starting in her backyard as a child, before she found her true voice for writing songs later in life. A key moment came when she worked with famous songwriter Boo Hewerdine. This teamwork led to the title track, “Baking Day,” a song about happy Sundays spent with her mother, cooking roasts and baking treats. This track is a beautiful, clear picture of home, love, and keeping traditions alive.
Baking Day
The whole collection works like a family storybook set to music. Though Jackie grew up in the 1960s, the memories go back much further. The stories start with her great-grandfather, Richard Conn, who was born in 1832 and began working in the coal mines at just nine years old. This deep connection to the past means the songs show how the struggles and joys of many lives have shaped the present day.
The music has a close, personal feel because it was mostly recorded in Jackie’s own living room, with producer Dan Whitehouse helping to guide the sound. This style makes the record feel truly lived-in and real. Chris Cleverley, a skilled fingerstyle guitarist, adds lovely, soft playing to many songs. His guitar work creates a delicate space for Jackie’s voice to float above, guiding us gently through these long-ago family moments.
The album starts calmly with the song “A Robin Calls.” This opening piece works like a soft breath, inviting us to slow down and be present. With simple acoustic guitars and soft strings, it sets a feeling of quiet magic and peace. It works as an instant welcome, putting the person listening right at the start of the deep family story that is about to be told.
A Robin Calls
As the emotional center, the song “Baking Day” details the comfort and rhythm of the home kitchen. It uses clear, friendly details—like a treasured rolling pin and the smell of fresh baking—to create a warm, vivid scene. Through her simple singing about these small, familiar objects, Conn shows how routine actions become sacred family habits that forever connect people through love.
Next, “The Gamekeeper’s Lad” moves into the life of a single person, painting a deep picture of Jackie’s grandfather. The song explores the quiet honor of a life focused on service and duty, rather than big dreams, as he moved from being a groom to a mounted policeman. This track tells a very human story, giving respect to the simple dignity of people whose lives may not seem grand but hold great historical weight.
A sudden burst of happiness comes with “Make Believe Mondays.” This track stands out because it brings in a lively jazz piano style, played by David O’Brien. This music perfectly captures the fun and spirit of the Monday night dances that were so important for the women in the family. It celebrates how small moments of freedom and joy can be a necessary escape from the difficulty of life in the colliery town.
Make Believe Mondays
The mood turns seriously emotional with “Emily Cried.” This haunting song addresses the tough issues of poverty and major loss, focusing on a young girl who is forced to grow up too quickly. The music becomes darker and heavier to match the story. Conn’s voice delivers a powerful truth about how severe hardship can permanently change and harden a young heart, offering comfort to those who have faced similar crises.
The album closes with a forward-looking message in “Let Your Light Shine.” This final song feels like a simple, powerful wish for the future. Inspired by her goddaughters’ children, the track offers peace and strength to the next generation, especially during uncertain times. It completes the family cycle not with sadness for the past, but with strong hope that the love and lessons carried forward will be a guiding light ahead.
Baking Day is a truly good and great first album. Jackie Conn has made a real top example of telling folk stories, carefully bringing the voices of her family before her to life. The album moves well from comfort to history, joy, and sadness, making it a must-hear for anyone who likes honest and deeply felt music.
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