Joanna Newsom & The Y Street Band
Joanna Newsom should have featured somewhere on Triplejaysus before, but sadly I think due to lack of courage on my behalf, she hasn’t. Her album ‘Ys‘ was too late an entrant to feature in the top ten albums of 2006, but probably should have. Albeit harp music from a pixie like Newsom with the voice of a ..um..pixie. Come to think of it, she plucks like a pixie too. (Bit of Blue for the Dads.)
This self titled EP, a play on words ( when you know that the previous album ‘Ys’ was pronounced ‘eeees’) is a collection of two new arrangements of previously released tracks, and one new composition, ‘Colleen’. What is noteworthy this time is the presence of the Y Street Band, made up of some of her touring band. Soft duets, virtuoso banjo (always wanted to say that) and strings flesh out Newsom’s compositions as much as you could say they need fleshing out.
If you like music that rewards an investment, then Joanna Newsom’s music is for you. Each listen reveals another chapter, and you become focused on a new portion of the oft 10+ minute opus’s’s’s. Its a delight for those willing to put in the time. And just in case you missed it - she plays the harp.
THINK: Next best thing to a JN longplayer
READ: A particilarly wordy interview with JN
WATCH: The Hypnotic Joanna Newsom
BUY: Ys
