I remember hearing My Brightest Diamond for the first time. My collection isn't exactly chock full of bands that I've discovered live. So it was remarkable that she, as an opening act for Sufjan Stevens, was able to capture my attention so immediately.
Let's settle one thing: Shara Worden is probably the most captivating live performer on the indie rock circuit - spellbinding voice, flowing sets with well-chosen cover songs - she's incredible.
Naturally, the studio tends to kill the focus and (more surprisingly) the dynamic of her songs, but the freshness of her debut Bring Me the Workhorse was able to overcome that dampening.
Now, on her second studio attempt, it's becoming painfully clear that she's at home on the road. And more frighteningly, her creativity is starting to suffer as a result.
posted by Chris on October 30, 2007 3:43 PM in Music
We've posted about Miss Newsom in the past, but considering I just saw her excellent performance last night at the Benaroya Hall in Seattle, I just had to post another video of her performing one of her incredibly rich songs Peach, Plum, Pear. Joanna is touring the country, playing dates at major cities with the respective city's symphony. I highly recommend checking it out.
Somewhere in Tucson, Arizona Joey Burns, John Covertino & Co. are using their uncanny foresight to plan their next collaboration. Whatever they decide, it'll ultimately turn to Southwestern Gold. Looking back at the last three years of music, I'm realizing that all my favorite song moments had one thing in common- a member of the band Calexico was part of the recording. The ironic part is that none of these songs are on a proper Calexico album. My latest theory is that they relish being the mercenary types (and they're probably not even getting paid for it).
Take the bungee jump for my three highlighted Calexico moments.
posted by Chris on January 4, 2007 7:50 PM in Music
You guys, I have a problem. I can't stop listening to Joanna Newsom. She is a classically trained harpist with a voice that has been described as similar to Lisa Simpson in The Simpsons Sing the Blues. She is also battling the great Colin Meloy for the title of Grand Champion Vocabulary Master given only to the best of the best (English majors). Her songwriting is beautiful and epic, her music style is so completely different and refreshing, and her voice is unique and finely-honed. Check out one of my favorite songs off her first album. It's mesmerizing.
posted by Mike on December 14, 2006 12:01 AM in Music
My biggest regret about 2006’s year in music is that one of the most talked about records came out right around when I was finalizing my Top 10 Albums of the Year. Afraid that it would ruin my well-established mental processes about which albums made the grade, I decided to forgo listening to Joanna’s disc and give it separate attention. In that way, I could address the buzz that’s been surrounding this unique piece of art, and it wouldn’t tamper with my brain too much on the year’s most important list. So, I spent tonight dedicating myself to take in five tracks by a classically-trained harpist turned folk song writer.
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