Joanna Newsom

[pd]

On my search for information on Ms Newsom, who I'd not heard of until Monday, I found a decent interview at the Observer: http://music.guardian.co.uk/folk/story/0,,1929503,00.html

I have also listened to a mini EP of hers. It's going to take some getting used to - very interesting sparse instrumentation and a very distinctive vocal style. I'm getting hold of her last album "Ys" which purports to have a fuller sound.

Actually I think it's rather refreshing to have a "challenging" artist that doesn't seem to fit in with any of the usual bored old music clichés.

Paul.

[The Monster]

I'm in same boat - read some exceptionally complimentary reviews of Ys and nearly bought it on the strength of that, although suspect she's a bit of an acquired taste - like someone said about Wagner - 'his music's better than it sounds'
Think it got very close to No1 in album chart

I'm quite looking forward to seeing her, as I'll be incredibly mellow by the time she comes on!

[pd]

I'm two tracks into "Ys" at the moment (the joys of working from home!) and I must say, it's excellent.

[Shane]

i cant stand her voice, all i hear is lisa simpson

[pd]

I can see your point there Shane, but I am thinking more "Bjork" really.

The interesting thing is, a lot of people are put off of Roy because of his voice (my wife included!). It's all part of one of music's great qualities, I think, which is that it's extremely subjective and every listener has their own interpretation.

[Paul in Ringwood]

I am listening to ''Ys'' right now and I am astonished by the stunning originality, scope and eccentricity of her work.
Wonderful stuff!

[Bob Jacobs]

I've had this album for some time now. You have to be in the right mood to listen. I found it incredibly irritating as background music but fascinating as foreground music. The flow of thoughts is difficult to follow at times and the voice is annoying at times but charming at others. The musicianship and arrangements are superb. I think she will prove to be the perfect follow up to a punchy 45 minutes of Roy. Have fun all you lucky folk who have got tickets!

Bob

[aspwatterson]

Fill in the missing word in the following...

"Now they know how many ____________ it takes to fill the Albert Hall
I'd love to turn you on..."

Andy in Blackburn Lancs.

[Bob Jacobs]

What have holes in Blackburn got to do with Joanna Newsom?

[aspwatterson]

"Now they know how many Harpernauts it takes to fill the Albert Hall"?

AW [still in nappies]

[Kenny_Wisdom]

http://harpmagazine.com/articles/detail.cfm?article_id=4947

This is an interesting article, with references to Roy.

[pd]

Oh, that's a wonderful article, thank you! I especially like the way they acknowledge Stormcock as being prog. It's what I've been saying all along. And no, I don't think El Rose frequents these forums... :rofl:

[pd]

I'm just back from the Albert Hall. It was wonderful! I sat down with a pen and paper to write down what he played... and my notes read:

All of Stormcock!

And that was the 45 minutes. Wow. Nicely done Roy.

Joanna said, when she came on and later on at the end, that she's had many moments to cherish in her life but the most important one, the one she would tell her grandchildren, was that she was able to sit in a box in the Albert Hall and see Roy Harper play all of "Stormcock". It's her favourite album.

I think she was somewhat in awe of the venue too; she had someone get her mobile phone from the dressing room so she could take a photo of everyone from the stage with the house lights up.

I'm completely won over, she's great.

[SHAUN I]

I agree with Joanna, I didn't get back to Preston until 7.30 this morning, a night on a cold railway station,but it was all worth it to see the live set of Stormcock at the RAH. I thought the acoustics and reverb sound, coupled w3ith Matt Churchill's playing was fantastic..

NICE ONE - ROY..

[Ben Naga]

So, did anyone record for posterity by any chance?

[pd]

Not me, I found it really spoiled my enjoyment of a concert on the couple of occasions I did try to record a gig. Might be worth keeping an eye out on places like dimeadozen though I suppose!

[Reverbeffect]

I saw Joanna Newsome on Jools show on the Beeb a few months ago.

She has a quirky ubiquitous style and its very apt that Roy would provide a musical support.

Cripes I wish I had been able to go!!!

Just got bath from Bath having taken Hannah-Rei who starts her MA in Songwriting next week for a year.

Her latest songs are on myspace.com/hannnahrockcliffe
in case anyone is interested.

Peace and Love to all

[Bob Jacobs]

I assume you just got back from Bath and that Hannah's myspace site has only 2 "n"s?

[Reverbeffect]

Yes Bob - only 2 n's

2 h's, 2 a's and 2 n's but after a six hundred mile round trip I guess I can be forgiven an extra n.

Guess I need to catch up on some zzzz's
Try this track
http://hannah-rei.vox.com/library/audio/6a00d414420f1a3c7f00e398ab458f0001.html
let me know what you think?

Peter

[dave w]

Seems the Grauniad agreed with the views posted on this so far - 5 out of 5

http://music.guardian.co.uk/live/story/0,,2180829,00.html#article_continue

Even Mrs Dave enjoyed it all, despite earlier worries that she'd be subjected to 2 hours of harp noodling (her words).

[pd]

Very good review, thanks for the link Dave. I must say the "2 hours of harp noodling" passed in a flash for me and has merited more listening to her studio stuff - which I had hardly listened to prior to the concert.

[Reverbeffect]

LOLTIFOTF

That expression made my week. I am sure that Alan Stivell and the Celtic Harp Rennaisance might put a different culinary slant on it!

Is your good lady from yorkshire by any chance?

Pete

[Bob Jacobs]

Pretty good! Not my sort of music but it seems to be a more-than-competent performance in its idiom. She's got a good voice and has created the harmonies very "musically" (I have no musical training so lack the vocabulary to describe it better).

Bob