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Product Description
Review
Looking from the outside, the job of following up Ys – the 2006 album that transformed San Francisco harpist Joanna Newsom from kooky cult concern to a musician widely regarded as one of the more gifted composers of the age – appeared a task most unenviable. Epic in scope, with arrangements steeped in jazz and world music and lyrics prone to dazzling flights of archaic language more befitting of William Faulkner than any modern songbook, it was so exceptional as to beg the question: where next?
Have One on Me answers that question in both prosaic and surprising ways. For one, perhaps predictably, it’s bigger still – clocking in at three CDs and over two hours of music, this is about as big as albums get. There are unexpected changes here, too – primarily, the quality of Newsom’s voice. Once raw and child-like, following a period recovering from vocal-chord nodes, it has now developed into something more classically pretty, although hints of the old grizzle still re-emerge occasionally.
The precocity of the lyrics has been toned down a little, too; songs sprawl less, and hang on concise, wonderful phrases. “I found a little plot of land, in the garden of Eden,” she sings on ’81, while Kingfisher commences with a soft entreaty: “Whose is the hand that I will hold?” Her voice is almost a whisper: “Whose is the face I will see?” Still present, though, is a raft of nature imagery. The title track is an impressive bestiary of daddy long-legs, tarantulas and “famous spider dances”, while on Esme she is confused “like the wagging bob-tail of a bulldog” – probably not one you’ve heard before.
What, aside from length, really defines Have One on Me in contrast to Newsom’s previous work is its confluence of styles. With Newsom moving back and forth between harp and piano and added instrumentation supplied by Ys Street Band leader Ryan Francesconi, the range here feels much broader. Good Intentions Paving Company toys with gospel soul and bluegrass banjo, while the excellent Baby Birch is lonesome country that builds into a majestic strut of spindly electric guitar and oriental melodies.
As an album, it is huge, sometimes overwhelming – but such is the strength and individuality of Newsom’s vision, it seems almost inconceivable she could produce anything unremarkable. --Louis Pattison
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CD Description
Through the course of Have One On Me's eighteen songs, Joanna visits upon us ditties, weepies, court dances, rump-bumpers, epics and moments of wraparound fantasia.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a truly, truly great album: a masterpiece. Combining elements of the sparklingly fresh and original debut ( The Milk-Eyed Mender) with the more lavish, ornate follow-up (Ys), this is nevertheless another leap forwards for Joanna Newsom.
Her singing has become more assured and powerful. The harp playing is as beautiful as ever, but the songs often blossom unexpectedly with other instrumentation. Some of the album's most affecting moments are piano-based. The song structures are also very impressive - sometimes complex but never 'obscure' for the sake of it - and overflowing with intricate melodies.
It IS reminiscent of Kate Bush in places (no bad thing), but still unmistakably Joanna Newsom.
Over three discs it takes time to appreciate what a subtle and far-reaching song cycle this is, but the album really rewards repeat plays. It's a sumptuous feast that will keep this listener enthralled for years to come.
Who else is putting out material of this quality in 2010?
Her singing has become more assured and powerful. The harp playing is as beautiful as ever, but the songs often blossom unexpectedly with other instrumentation. Some of the album's most affecting moments are piano-based. The song structures are also very impressive - sometimes complex but never 'obscure' for the sake of it - and overflowing with intricate melodies.
It IS reminiscent of Kate Bush in places (no bad thing), but still unmistakably Joanna Newsom.
Over three discs it takes time to appreciate what a subtle and far-reaching song cycle this is, but the album really rewards repeat plays. It's a sumptuous feast that will keep this listener enthralled for years to come.
Who else is putting out material of this quality in 2010?
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I was introduced to Joanna Newsom by a friend with a late night play of 'Peach, Pear, Plum' a good few years ago because, and I quote, "I think you'll get this". It reminded me of a strange little girl squawking a nursery rhyme (not a bad thing) and intrigued me enough to buy the album it came from 'Milk Eyed Mender' and her other release at the time 'Ys'. I listened to a few tracks from the former album for a while, but didn't connect to 'Ys' at all. I am shamed to admit that, but I suppose it was a little "unconventional" for my taste at that point in my life. Too enigmatic? Too archiac? Too epic? Who can say?
I recently rediscovered 'Ys' and the experience was an almost religious one. To finally "get" and appreciate the beauty of what had once been an undecipherable mystery was truly an epiphany. An epiphany which prompted me to buy the new album.
Was I disappointed after such a profound reawakening? No.
'Have One On Me' is an utterly stunning piece. Newsom has reigned in her previously wild, unabandoned vocal and sometimes overly opulent musical landscape, to absolute perfection. There is a sense (and sound) of control and purpose here that makes the three disc/two hour journey a joy rather than past pilgrimages (pleasurable as they ultimately were) to the shrine of Newsom.
There are shades of Kate Bush, touches of Joni Mitchell, however, despite some similarities to these greats, this is really all about Joanna.
Lyrically, musically and vocally a masterpiece. Newsom is undoubtably one of the greatest artists of our age.
Genius.
I recently rediscovered 'Ys' and the experience was an almost religious one. To finally "get" and appreciate the beauty of what had once been an undecipherable mystery was truly an epiphany. An epiphany which prompted me to buy the new album.
Was I disappointed after such a profound reawakening? No.
'Have One On Me' is an utterly stunning piece. Newsom has reigned in her previously wild, unabandoned vocal and sometimes overly opulent musical landscape, to absolute perfection. There is a sense (and sound) of control and purpose here that makes the three disc/two hour journey a joy rather than past pilgrimages (pleasurable as they ultimately were) to the shrine of Newsom.
There are shades of Kate Bush, touches of Joni Mitchell, however, despite some similarities to these greats, this is really all about Joanna.
Lyrically, musically and vocally a masterpiece. Newsom is undoubtably one of the greatest artists of our age.
Genius.
25 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I could quite legitimately be described as a Newsom fanboy. I have loved everything she has done from the helium voiced early Ep's to the intricate fables of Ys. I have seen her live 10 times, and would quite like to marry her. So I am biased, I admit it. At the same time, I think I have a sufficiently independent mind to judge each album on its own merits, and am able to hold my swoon long enough to engage my brain (this is not true at her concerts - she could sing me Uzbeki nursery rhymes backwards and I would be spellbound).
My initial reaction to 'Have One On Me' ( as with most of her output) was slightly puzzled and cautiously hopeful. I know from experience that the structure, punctuation and resonances of her work take time to settle and form, so I have let the music slosh through me and wash over me, holding back any critical judgement. And all of a sudden, as I hoped it would, the shape took form. While I have been familiar with some of these songs for a while now, it was a new new one, Go Long that seeded the crystal. The novelty of this album is a typically much longer melodic line, accompanied by a softer voice (brought about by a throat infection last year). The spacier, ringing arrangement of Go Long illustrates this change - gone are sharp points and counterpoints of The Book of Right On et al, or even the rush and tumble of Emily - instead she holds her voice, fluctuating or slowly descending around a slow, deliberate harp.
These songs are given much more musical space than the more wordy Ys, and this, combined with more varied arrangements and drawn out phrases, creates an initial impression of a hazy, unfocussed album. Once you catch the idea though, and let the slow ebb and flow of her newly sanded down voice carry you, you get it. Be it singing of abortion on Baby Birch, or of her own conception on '81, this new 'romantic' sound chimes with a much more straightforwardly emotional approach to her subjects - love, in form and in content, fills these songs. There are a couple which have not made their mark with me yet, but the album as a whole, listened to seriously and in silence, is a great and humbling listen, and I did almost cry many times - the 'kindness prevails' close to Esme had me shivering uncontrollably, and the closing Does Not Suffice is desperately sad and dare I say it, moving.
I have not had the time or wit to trace the links between these songs, but it is clear that some phrases, both musical and lyrical, reappear in different guises throughout the album - their is half jaunty, half sad blues line that haunts both Baby Birch and Does Not Suffice. I am certain that, as with her previous works, listening and relistening will repay and repay. I am looking forward to the work.
My initial reaction to 'Have One On Me' ( as with most of her output) was slightly puzzled and cautiously hopeful. I know from experience that the structure, punctuation and resonances of her work take time to settle and form, so I have let the music slosh through me and wash over me, holding back any critical judgement. And all of a sudden, as I hoped it would, the shape took form. While I have been familiar with some of these songs for a while now, it was a new new one, Go Long that seeded the crystal. The novelty of this album is a typically much longer melodic line, accompanied by a softer voice (brought about by a throat infection last year). The spacier, ringing arrangement of Go Long illustrates this change - gone are sharp points and counterpoints of The Book of Right On et al, or even the rush and tumble of Emily - instead she holds her voice, fluctuating or slowly descending around a slow, deliberate harp.
These songs are given much more musical space than the more wordy Ys, and this, combined with more varied arrangements and drawn out phrases, creates an initial impression of a hazy, unfocussed album. Once you catch the idea though, and let the slow ebb and flow of her newly sanded down voice carry you, you get it. Be it singing of abortion on Baby Birch, or of her own conception on '81, this new 'romantic' sound chimes with a much more straightforwardly emotional approach to her subjects - love, in form and in content, fills these songs. There are a couple which have not made their mark with me yet, but the album as a whole, listened to seriously and in silence, is a great and humbling listen, and I did almost cry many times - the 'kindness prevails' close to Esme had me shivering uncontrollably, and the closing Does Not Suffice is desperately sad and dare I say it, moving.
I have not had the time or wit to trace the links between these songs, but it is clear that some phrases, both musical and lyrical, reappear in different guises throughout the album - their is half jaunty, half sad blues line that haunts both Baby Birch and Does Not Suffice. I am certain that, as with her previous works, listening and relistening will repay and repay. I am looking forward to the work.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Every song is a masterpiece
I have loved Joanna Newsom ever since I heard 'The Milk-Eyed Mender' back in 2004. With every album she has got better and better, and added new layers of melody, instrumentation... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Craigus69
Sumptuous
This is a delectable album where you sit back and let it wash over you. Songs like 'Soft as chalk', 'Easy', 'Jackrabbits' , 'Esme', 'Baby Birch' are superb, imaginative and... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Brian Dickson
JOANNA IS THE GREATEST SONGWRITER OF OUR TIME!
TIME: 7.30pm
DATE: Monday November 2004
LOCATION: Matt and Phreds, Manchester England
'She's kinda quirky looking,' uttered my friend. Read more
DATE: Monday November 2004
LOCATION: Matt and Phreds, Manchester England
'She's kinda quirky looking,' uttered my friend. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Rayfer Jarndis
Soft as Chalk
Joanna Newsom is quite remarkable. Who would have guessed that the admittedly naive takings on The Milk-Eyed Mender would follow up with the extravagant classic YS? Read more
Published 10 months ago by Stephen.E
A masterpiece
I have only recently started listening to Joanna Newsom and it took a while to get used to her original sound. Read more
Published 11 months ago by K. Kaminski
Big value album
What a great album or three. Her voice has dropped key slightly, but still the same lovely intonation, she shows off terrific keyboard as well as harp phrases, sounding quite a lot... Read more
Published 12 months ago by rikirumba
a modern classic
Joanna Newsom's first album The Milk-Eyed Mender was a pretty, and often raw album that was a gorgeous listen. But with her third album, she has matured significantly. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Jack
the stuff of dreams
When you first listen to this it sounds beautiful and in a different league to anything else around. Then it perhaps gets a bit monotonous and whiny. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Roger P.
Joanna Newsom: Have one on me
It seems hard to conceive that Joanna Newsom could top the excellent `Ys' but i think she has with `Have one on me'. Read more
Published 16 months ago by dipesh parmar
Sold a Pup
As an avid reader of Uncut magazine, I was intrigued by their choice of "Have One on Me" as their "Album of the Year", so I took the plunge and bought it, having only heard one... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Ackers
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