Based in Oxford, England, Beautiful Jo Records was founded in 1994 and quickly made its name as a label of quality with a brief to explore acoustic music of every kind: from folk, period and classical music to the modern singer-songwriter tradition. Steve Caseman wrote in Rock 'n' Reel: 'Apparently a label unafraid to take risks, Beautiful Jo, in addition to providing a home for a series of esoteric and eccentric releases, is also responsible for some of contemporary folk's finer moments.' In The Living Tradition, meanwhile, Roy Harris wrote: 'Whoever Beautiful Jo may be, she is inspiring an enclave of musicians to make good albums. The track record of this unusually-named label stands up well.'

Beautiful Jo Records is run by freelance writer and record producer, Tim Healey, who is also known increasingly as a broadcaster.