Joanna Newsom - Have One On Me

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Joanna Newsom - Have One On me

Record Label: Drag City

Release Date: February 23rd, 2010

This is Joanna's followup to the brilliant 'Ys' from 06'.

I have read many reviews on this latest effort from Joanna and have been amused by reviewers either avoiding the topic of genre altogether or at least admitting defeat in trying to apply a label that is suitable or adequate. My conclusion is that no label can be adequate to describe the breadth and depth of what she does as a musical artist, poet, lyricist. I am going to say 'art prog folk', which is this writers inadequate stab at a genre label that suits. That aside, I will step out into the dangerous territory of potential overstatement and gaudy hyperbole to state that this record is a masterpeice and an instant classic. There I said it and I am sure there are many out there who are rolling their eyes and clicking the X button, top right but please hear me out.



Epic is not an overstatement. Three discs at over 2 hours is considerable breadth. Each disc at approx. 40 minutes though gives one the option to digest this work in easier to process chunks. I do however encourage the listener to spend the two hours at some point and let this incredible piece wash over you. Rinse and repeat regularly to allow the music to reveal itself bit by bit with each listen. Her progression as an artist is evident everywhere on this album. Her voice, lyrics, melodies, and overall feel is much more accessible than her two previous releases. There is a wide and intriguing range of styles, instruments and influences in these compositions. One cannot write of this work and not mention similarities to Joni Mitchell, especially from the Blue album. There is also a very distinct feel of Kate Bush both in the vocal style and the lyrical fantasy and medieval shadings. Stunning, ambitious, breathtaking, devestating, are just a few of the adjectives I have read from other reviewers to describe this record. Haunting and enchanting. It reminds me of my first listen to Kate Bush's Never For Ever back in 1980. It takes us to a new previously unexplored place with an emotional realness.

Favourite tracks are the title track, Good Intentions Paving Co., Baby Birch, Soft As Chalk (Which she performed on Jimmy Fallon last night) & Kingfisher.

Joanna was born in and grew up in the small town of Nevada City, California.

Track Listing:

Disc 1

1. "Easy" 6:04
2. "Have One On Me" 11:02
3. "'81" 3:51
4. "Good Intentions Paving Company" 7:02
5. "No Provenance" 6:25
6. "Baby Birch" 9:30

Disc 2
1. "On A Good Day" 1:48
2. "You And Me, Bess" 7:12
3. "In California" 8:41
4. "Jackrabbits" 4:23
5. "Go Long" 8:02
6. "Occident" 5:37

Disc 3
1. "Soft As Chalk" 6:29
2. "Esme" 7:56
3. "Autumn" 8:01
4. "Ribbon Bows" 6:10
5. "Kingfisher" 9:11
6. "Does Not Suffice"


Official Website: http://www.joanna-newsom.com/

Upcoming Shows:

3/15/10 Ukrainian Federation Montreal Quebec Canada

3/17/10 Sanders Theatre Cambridge MA

3/18/10 Town Hall New York NY

3/19/10 First Unitarian Church Philadelphia PA

3/20/10 First Unitarian Church Philadelphia PA

3/22/10 Sixth & I Historic Synagogue Washington DC

3/23/10 Sixth & I Historic Synagogue Washington DC

3/24/10 Jefferson Theatre Charlottesville VA w/ Jens Hannemann

3/25/10 Carolina Theatre Durham NC w/ Jens Hannemann

3/26/10 Variety Playhouse Atlanta GA w/ Jens Hannemann

3/27/10 Big Ears Festival Knoxville TN

3/28/10 Mercy Lounge Nashville TN

3/29/10 Southern Theatre Columbus OH

3/30/10 MusicNOW Festival Cincinnati OH

3/31/10 Buskirk-Chumley Theatre Bloomington IN

4/2/10 Pabst Theater Milwaukee WI

4/3/10 Vic Theatre Chicago IL