Joanna Newsom – Have One on Me (Drag City) 3LP
March 4, 2010 at 9:00 am 5 comments
Joanna Newsom - Have One on Me
Joanna Newsom is one of those artists who polarizes opinion and sparks fierce debate. This mammoth triple-album set (housed in a sodding-great pizza box of a cover) therefore seems destined to become one of most discussed records of 2010. This here blog is not generally in the habit of entering into such discussions but just so happens to have a bit of a “thing” for Ms. Newsom and her delightfully harp-tastic song stylings.
These particular stylings are generally similar to those on her previous opus, Ys but with rather more restrained arrangements, where conventional rock instrumentation is allowed greater prominence than on previous releases. Indeed, despite its length, Have One on Me is surely Newsom’s most approachable album to date – particularly as her signature love-it-or-hate-it squawk has been softened to a conciliatory purr.
Joni Mitchell comparisons have been bandied about and Never for Ever-era Kate Bush would be another apt comparison. But you should all know by now that Joanna Newsom is in a world of her own. What is more, you should be well aware that her world is a wonderful place to be. In this climate of austerity, Have One on Me really does feel like a much-needed outpouring of generosity. Heck, if your heart isn’t melted by the likes of “’81” and “Kingfisher”… erm… we’ll just have to agree to disagree, won’t we?
This could be the album that turns Joanna Newsom into a bona fide superstar. As such, it should be pretty damn easy for you to find a copy at your local record store. Otherwise, you could go straight to the source and buy it from Drag City.
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Entry filed under: avant rock, MP3s, reviews. Tags: avant rock, MP3s, reviews.
Bubblegum Cage III 
1.
crys | March 6, 2010 at 6:45 am
so, when did Newsom become such a sexpot?
2.
crys | March 6, 2010 at 4:36 pm
btw sam… i LOVE your not me remix of Shirley Collins – Adieu to Old England! been meaning to tell ya… love love love it…
3.
Biggie Samuels | March 7, 2010 at 11:38 pm
Cheers. If you like that, you ought to hear my remixes of Anne Briggs (http://soundcloud.com/interimlovers/anne-briggs-living-by-the-water-not-me-extended-remix-by-connect-icut) and Steeleye Span (http://soundcloud.com/sam-macklin/steeleye-span-rogues-in-a-nation-not-me-extended-remix-by-connect-icut).
As for why Joanna Newsom seems so determined to turn herself into a sex symbol, I suspect she’s been taking career advice from Alec Baldwin.
4. Haven’t We Been Busy? « Bubblegum Cage III | March 8, 2010 at 9:06 am
[…] Joanna Newsom – Have One on Me […]
5. Good News! « Bubblegum Cage III | April 17, 2010 at 9:06 am
[…] entirely gratuitous. The show’s at the Vogue Theatre on August 5th. Oh and it turns out that Have One on Me gets better with every listen and might just contain the best song she’s ever […]