Joanna Newsom...
Sunday 14th January, 2007 - Glasgow, Candleriggs, City Halls
I first heard of Joanna Newsom a few years ago, when I got a copy of Word Magazine and the free cd had 'Sprout and the Bean' on it. Later I found the BBC had a link to this video, which has appeared to move to dragcity:
http://www.dragcity.com/bands/newsom.html
But good old BBC give us a new link to some of her latest material, or rather a track from Ys, her latest album released 30 October, 2007. 'The monkey and the bear'...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/collective/A16606541
So, to the concert ... yes, it was a concert with Northern Sinfonia Orchestra backing. Joanna Newsom, petite, appears in angelic white dress and long flowing hair shining. On her left is a guy in black suit, sits at the drums and wait for it, he has no shoes on! On her right a man in a green suit... I should know their names but hey I'm hopeless at remembering detail. Anyway, behind her sits the orchestra, as she, framed by her beautiful harp sits centre stage. They open with Emily ...
At the end of this piece she announces (first day of tour too) that this is the first time she's played with an orchestra. It was truly astounding, the depth of the tones of the orchestra, the rhythm, the story and precision ... only criticism was that the mike did not allow her usual clarity of vocals so if you were unfamiliar with the words, you missed out a little. Joanna also says, 'we're playing Ys, if you hadn't noticed...' lovely humour, humble but great talent.
When I first got this album I thought about how much really went into it, the imagination, not predictable weak lyrics or tune. And the length of the tracks. I'd tell you but hubby has run off with my cd! I wanted to listen to it again today and yesterday but it's in the car. It was he who bought me the tickets as a Christmas present. Until the concert he was not swayed one way or the other.
Her performance changed his opinion... giving her credit along the lines of reminds him of Joni Mitchell, not so much for voice or even music but the skill of writing.
The second song, which I've included a link to above, is probably one of my favourites and (we were right up the back of the City Halls, in the balcony) someone else's I gather during the interval kept humming it!
We had a little moment during one of the songs when the microphone did a little reverb, you know that noise that goes right through your ears, but in stereo?! It could well be forgiven though, I really felt privileged sitting there in the first place.
When they got to the end of the album, and you all know what a mammoth task that is without a break, full on playing and singing, no sign of any prompt for words (how does she do it?) I think we all thought that was it. Sinfonia Orchestra were leaving, and Joanna says, '20 mins.'.. we didn't all catch it but heard the murmuring around the hall with the lights raised. I was thinking, wow! How can you ask for more?
After the break she came back with the two guys ... I wish I knew their names! Haven't seen a review yet. First she alone sang a Scottish ballad, 'Ca' the Yowes'... she apologized if she got the words wrong before starting and said, "you can all throw fruit or something..." She needn't have said sorry, I know I'm English, but have heard various versions of this ballad, and hers was really lovely. The guys joined her onstage and played tracks from Milk Eyed Mender, Sadie... and another couple, don't know the names but they were more upbeat... from a live tour, brilliant, had a kind of dance/folkish feel to it (out of my realm here).
Guess by now you've figured I like her? Personally, I think she has a fantastic future ahead of her, so much talent and explorative technique waiting to unfold.
She must have been absolutely exhausted by the end of the concert as she walks towards the back door head on one of the guys shoulders both an arm around her back. The lights went up, we knew we'd had more than we could have asked for but, hey, no one was leaving. The crowd there were vociferous, with piercing whistles and claps and stomping of feet. We must have sat quite a while but she did come back out... and said, she had felt a little shaky about playing with an orchestra, and, 'thank you for coming here and clapping ...'
I actually feel quite tearful writing this, and I haven't felt that way at a concert/gig/festival before.
Well done Joanna... you put everything into it, thanks, may the rest of your tour be as enlightening to others who get the chance to see you.
I first heard of Joanna Newsom a few years ago, when I got a copy of Word Magazine and the free cd had 'Sprout and the Bean' on it. Later I found the BBC had a link to this video, which has appeared to move to dragcity:
http://www.dragcity.com/bands/newsom.html
But good old BBC give us a new link to some of her latest material, or rather a track from Ys, her latest album released 30 October, 2007. 'The monkey and the bear'...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/collective/A16606541
So, to the concert ... yes, it was a concert with Northern Sinfonia Orchestra backing. Joanna Newsom, petite, appears in angelic white dress and long flowing hair shining. On her left is a guy in black suit, sits at the drums and wait for it, he has no shoes on! On her right a man in a green suit... I should know their names but hey I'm hopeless at remembering detail. Anyway, behind her sits the orchestra, as she, framed by her beautiful harp sits centre stage. They open with Emily ...
At the end of this piece she announces (first day of tour too) that this is the first time she's played with an orchestra. It was truly astounding, the depth of the tones of the orchestra, the rhythm, the story and precision ... only criticism was that the mike did not allow her usual clarity of vocals so if you were unfamiliar with the words, you missed out a little. Joanna also says, 'we're playing Ys, if you hadn't noticed...' lovely humour, humble but great talent.
When I first got this album I thought about how much really went into it, the imagination, not predictable weak lyrics or tune. And the length of the tracks. I'd tell you but hubby has run off with my cd! I wanted to listen to it again today and yesterday but it's in the car. It was he who bought me the tickets as a Christmas present. Until the concert he was not swayed one way or the other.
Her performance changed his opinion... giving her credit along the lines of reminds him of Joni Mitchell, not so much for voice or even music but the skill of writing.
The second song, which I've included a link to above, is probably one of my favourites and (we were right up the back of the City Halls, in the balcony) someone else's I gather during the interval kept humming it!
We had a little moment during one of the songs when the microphone did a little reverb, you know that noise that goes right through your ears, but in stereo?! It could well be forgiven though, I really felt privileged sitting there in the first place.
When they got to the end of the album, and you all know what a mammoth task that is without a break, full on playing and singing, no sign of any prompt for words (how does she do it?) I think we all thought that was it. Sinfonia Orchestra were leaving, and Joanna says, '20 mins.'.. we didn't all catch it but heard the murmuring around the hall with the lights raised. I was thinking, wow! How can you ask for more?
After the break she came back with the two guys ... I wish I knew their names! Haven't seen a review yet. First she alone sang a Scottish ballad, 'Ca' the Yowes'... she apologized if she got the words wrong before starting and said, "you can all throw fruit or something..." She needn't have said sorry, I know I'm English, but have heard various versions of this ballad, and hers was really lovely. The guys joined her onstage and played tracks from Milk Eyed Mender, Sadie... and another couple, don't know the names but they were more upbeat... from a live tour, brilliant, had a kind of dance/folkish feel to it (out of my realm here).
Guess by now you've figured I like her? Personally, I think she has a fantastic future ahead of her, so much talent and explorative technique waiting to unfold.
She must have been absolutely exhausted by the end of the concert as she walks towards the back door head on one of the guys shoulders both an arm around her back. The lights went up, we knew we'd had more than we could have asked for but, hey, no one was leaving. The crowd there were vociferous, with piercing whistles and claps and stomping of feet. We must have sat quite a while but she did come back out... and said, she had felt a little shaky about playing with an orchestra, and, 'thank you for coming here and clapping ...'
I actually feel quite tearful writing this, and I haven't felt that way at a concert/gig/festival before.
Well done Joanna... you put everything into it, thanks, may the rest of your tour be as enlightening to others who get the chance to see you.
posted by CJ at 11:16 am
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