I’m not sure if there could have been a more perfect venue for tonight’s Joanna Newsom show. Perhaps the seats could have been more comfortable, but then that’s just quibbling.
Performing solo to a sold out show of about 300 people, sitting quietly and listening intently, Newsom worked her way through a good chunk of Ys as well as more than a few from The Milk-Eyed Mender. Her harp playing and voice were perfectly suited to the venue with the audience up close enough to see her fingers rippling across the harp strings, and catching every breath of voice. And, what a voice. Perhaps it was because everyone was sitting so close, but every word, lyric, nay syllable, was not only audible but also understandable in a way that doesn’t always carry on her albums. Likewise, stripped of the Van Dyke Parks orchestrations, the new material from Ys managed to be even richer and engaging – each lyric in Emily, Only Skin, Sawdust & Diamonds heard clearly, cleanly and full of intonation. The older material she played included Bridges & Balloons, Sadie, The Book of Right-On, Clam Crab Cockle Cowrie, and The Sprout & The Bean – I’m sure someone else will have a full set list – and her new live version of Ca’ The Yowes To The Knowes.