Last night I went to one of the greatest concerts I have attended in some time. That's a lot to say, considering my concert record this past year. The first time I heard Joanna Newsom, I, like most people, was a bit annoyed. Newsom's voice takes a little getting used to (though it has improved significantly since The Milk-Eyed Mender). Once I got acclimated, I really fell hard for her music - most significantly to her 2006 release Ys. I'd kind of forgotten Joanna in 2007 as hundred of other releases fell in my lap, but last night I remembered her appeal when I finally got to see her perform live with The Brooklyn Philharmonic at BAM.
The first half was Newsom with her band and the Philharmonic playing Ys in its entirety. Absolutely brilliant. The orchestra arrangements were exactly as they were on the album, and the only song she did solo was the third track, "Sawdust & Diamonds." One cool thing as a photographer is that in most shows you only get to shoot the first three songs - last night those three songs totaled about 40 minutes. "Emily" was definitely a highlight of the first half, as was "Cosmia."
Part two was comprised of Newsom (in a snazzy new dress) and her band, playing stuff off of The Milk-Eyed Mender and some newer material. "The Book of Right-On" was ridiculous live, but I'll give the award for my favorite track to "Barbara," a brand new track that, according to Newsom, might not be finished yet. The band just started playing it last week when they were in Sydney. Newsom also played another new solo track that was mind-blowing. Looks like we're in a real treat for the next record.
I'm contemplating going again tonight - that's how good it was. Not sure if Andy Samburg, Seth Meyers, Amy Poehler, or the Lonely Island Boys will be there again (they were sitting dead center about 25 rows back), but the show will be entertaining enough without them there. By the way, who knew harps (or at least good harps) had pedals? I sure didn't.
[mp3] Joanna Newsom - "The Book of Right-On" (The Milk-Eyed Mender)
5 comments:
Sounds like you had an amazing night, i wish she would play Scotland sometime.
Ed, 17 Seconds
Nice, really good photos. Unfortunately, it seems that Flickr is pixelating your pictures a little - might be better if you uploaded them onto Blogger instead of linking to them. 'Grats on the Style.com plug!
I really love your photographs. You've really captured Joanna's mood on the night.
Haven't seen her live yet, living in the boondocks of Scotland as I do, but can't live without her CD's. A year and half of listening to Ys and a swear it gets better.
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