Milky Eyed

November 22, 2006 at 7:58 pm · Filed under audio

* Joanna Newsom: Erin (5.0 mb) | Cassiopeia (5.5 mb) | Peach, Plum, Pear (6.0 mb) | Clam Crab Cockle Cowrie (5.0 mb)
From Walnut Whales

Joanna Newsom

Sometimes I feel like a totally contrarian/fickle music listener. For instance, I’ve long avoided listening to this amazing songstress, Joanna Newsom, simply because there was so much hype about her. After her first album The Milk-Eyed Mender was released, it seemed like everyone and their mother was talking about it. So, my response? To totally ignore everything about her. I knew logically that if I gave her a chance, that I would totally be into her, but I never gave her that chance.

And now I’m kicking myself. Very hard. Because over two years after I first heard about her, I’m finally giving her that chance. And I’ve been totally blown away. Her songwriting is totally killer, playing the harp like no one’s business. She’s also got a totally enchanting voice that sounds equal parts little child and old sage. I started with her latest album, Ys and was enchanted with the storytelling qualities in her songwriting, as well as the orchestration. After much searching, I finally managed to track down her first two self released EPs and was almost more blown away. I mean, from the start her musical vision was fully formed, if not quite as fleshed out as her later songs. Utilizing piano, organ or harp, Joanna Newsom creates a magical wonderworld and invites everyone join her.
At any rate. In the spirit of the Giving of Thanks, I’ve decided to post, over today and friday, the entirety of her first EP, Walnut Whales. Seeing as they’re out of print with no plans on reissuing them, I think everyone should get a chance to hear these amazing songs.

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1 Comment

  1. the of mirror eye » The Blues said,

    November 29, 2006 @ 2:57 pm

    [...] At any rate, during this past couple of weeks, I’ve really been listening to two bands, Joanna Newsom (look here and here) and this one, Carissa’s Wierd (look here). For whatever reason, these bands have really offered solace and comfort to me. I have no idea why these bands, at this time, have given me what I needed, I’m just glad that they do. Unfortunately, Carissa’s Wierd is no longer and much of their back catalogue is hard to find or unavailable. [...]

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