Joanna Newsom, love or hate?

[baroquepop]

The mere mention of Joanna Newsom used to cause such arguments on various music forums, but she's barely getting a mention here.

Headlining EOTR is a squeaky voiced women playing the harp, accompanied by a barefoot drummer, a trombonist, two violins, and a guy with a collection of strange guitars. You should be outraged!

Edited June 6, 2011 by baroquepop

[shoebox]

I saw her very early in her career, possibly just before Milk Eyed Mender was released, supporting Bill Callahan at one of those Homefires festivals that Eat Your Own Ears used to put on. I didn't know she was on the bill until that day (it was initially advertised as a Callahan gig, rather than a full day of performers) and I was kind of taken aback when she graced the stage. I wasn't quite sure whether I enjoyed it or not, and yes, it was primarily down to her voice.

About a year or so later I saw her again at an ATP and I was mesmerised. Another year, another ATP and she had become a firm favourite of mine. Ys is a work of art, and her voice wasn't quite as "squeaky" as on the debut. Have One Of Me was a fraction over-ambitious, if I'm being honest. Some beautiful music on there, but it's just too long and becomes a bit of a mission to get through, which music should never be. But it's still a great piece of work.

I'm thrilled that she's on the bill. Really looking forward to her set, as I haven't seen her since that last ATP. Not sure how much the harp is part of her live set-up these days, I get the impression it's more piano led, but it will be a beautiful performance regardless.

[Infinite Jest]

I thought we had a bit of an argument about her when she was announced. Not really my cup of marmite, but clearly a lot of people like her and she's an interesting artist.

[ljsawyer]

Neither love nor hate really. I like her and would happily go and see her but she's not one of my must-sees.

Edited June 7, 2011 by ljsawyer

[ElGanzo]

Neither love nor hate really. I like her and would happily go and see her but she's not one of my must-sees.

[bennyhana22]

Y's is terrific, as is much of the The Milk-Eyed Mender. I have to agree with shoebox (an increasingly frequent occurrence...!) that HOOM is a bit over-cooked. There is much to be admired and much beauty, but try as I might I can't get it to hold my interest for that long. Many of the songs seem to blend into the background when I have them on - I'm thinking about other things despite them, rather than because of them.

I'm the rarer beast that actually laments the passing of her squeaky-voiced period. I'm not a fan of female singers in general and tend to be attracted only to the quirkier - PJH, Bjork etc. So early Joanna did it for me. I understand that she had significant problems because of the way she was singing, forcing her to adopt a more 'natural' style. Whilst still a great singer, this has slightly detracted from what I like about her the most.

I really hope she plays Sawdust and Diamonds, it's just such a fantastic song. However, having forgotten the words (just how many lyrics has the song got?!) at Latitude, I wonder if she attempts it now. I think I'll email her to ask her to have another go...

Ben

PS - if Love and Hate are the only responses allowed in response to the OP then it's a 'Love' from me

[perfectpassion]

A few years ago my daughter put a cd on in the car....after a few tracks I was screaming "get that awful noise off or I'm going to have an accident". I feel the same about Lily Allen.....Outraged of Stevenage

ps why can't we have a thread called "Wonder who will die this year?"

Edited June 7, 2011 by perfectpassion

[baroquepop]

Y's is terrific, as is much of the The Milk-Eyed Mender. I have to agree with shoebox (an increasingly frequent occurrence...!) that HOOM is a bit over-cooked. There is much to be admired and much beauty, but try as I might I can't get it to hold my interest for that long. Many of the songs seem to blend into the background when I have them on - I'm thinking about other things despite them, rather than because of them.

...

I really hope she plays Sawdust and Diamonds, it's just such a fantastic song. However, having forgotten the words (just how many lyrics has the song got?!) at Latitude, I wonder if she attempts it now. I think I'll email her to ask her to have another go...

Ben

Edited June 7, 2011 by baroquepop

[riverlodge]

Neither love nor hate really. I like her and would happily go and see her but she's not one of my must-sees.

[bennyhana22]

Yes, HOOM is a little over-cooked, but still incredibly good a lot of the time. I really don't get why someone needs to wait 3 years and then come out with a triple album when two very good single album releases could have been made of the material. Personally I'm not a fan of the HOOM band, and hope she moves away from that sound. I think a string quartet would complement her harp and voice wonderfully. Needless to say I'm hoping for new songs at EOTR.

FYI, she played Sawdust and Diamonds (immaculately!) at Glasgow in October and it was undoubtedly the highlight of the show. The silence and concentration of the audience was the equal of any classical concert.

[baroquepop]

That's brilliant news, baroquepop. I shall include in my requesting email a reference to the fact that she seems to have recovered from her incredibly endearing lyric-failure and so should put S&D down on paper first when deciding upon her EOTR setlist.

So, how much harp was there in the Glasgow show? I dearly hope that she is not eschewing the harp for the piano too much of the time...

Ben

[LilyT]

I'm a massive Joanna Newsom fan, and bought tickets when I found out she was playing!

I have to say I think HOOM is her best work yet and hope she plays Go Long and Soft as Chalk in particular.

It's our first time at End of the Road festival, and we are really looking forward to it. I must admit I had never heard of the other acts and am currently educating myself (LOVE Beirut!)

Edited June 10, 2011 by LilyT

[baroquepop]

Hi LilyT

Joanna Newsom is my primary objective at EOTR too, even though I saw her last year. I'd love to be able to point you towards other acts that are similar... but of course there aren't any! The good news is that there are plenty of acts at EOTR that aren't just four white guys with electric guitars and drums, quite a few acts with strings, woodwinds and horns etc.

As it stands, HOOM provides the bulk of Joanna's set list. She mixes up the set list but Baby Birch, Easy, Good Intentions are staples, the rest is up for grabs. I'd like to start a campaign for her to perform Sadie. It used to be the song that everyone wanted to hear. Coincidentally, since I first mentioned this a few days ago, M Ward has been added to the bill, and he sometimes sings it in concert! What price a duet?

Edited June 10, 2011 by baroquepop

[staffop]

Love, love, love. I thought her set at greenman last year was beautiful despite the torrential rain...

[Risteardo]

Love, love, love. I thought her set at greenman last year was beautiful despite the torrential rain...

[baroquepop]

I love Joanna to bits, but I don't think HOOM has the same hooks as the previous two albums. I blame her break up with Bill Callahan!

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