My Past Week -- updated

[sun_set_bravely]

I remembered another Jonatha Brooke connection after I posted the last entry. I wanted to add it here, but I couldn't figure out how to edit my entry and make clear that I was editing it. So I'm posting it again. Draft #1 and Draft #2.

Yes. I am a writer.

...

I cannot stop listening to Jonatha Brooke.

Her music entered my life coyly. Two years ago, during my senior year at university, I took costume design and spent many late hours in the shop enjoying my time but trying to mask my incompetence. Kitty, the costume professor and Shop Goddess, played Jonatha's "10 cent wings" album often (in rotation with Cibo Matto and Fiona Apple). I liked the album title a lot, but the music skipped across my mind without sinking in.

Six months ago, I arbitrarily put "Plumb" on my Christmas wish list and my mother actually gave it to me. The CD became a gentle part of my fall/winter landscape, but then faded into my CD shelf as a rarely played disc.

Two months ago, my boss introduced me to The Story's (Ms. Brooke's early 90s band) album "Angel in the House," which intrigued me. I brought in "Plumb" to share with her, and gave it a new listen-to as well.

Last week, CG's family gave me Jonatha's live album. The next day, a dear friend gave me a copy of "Steady Pull," an unexpected and timely gift that came at the end of a wonderful conversation. I listened to the CD on the subway ride home, and knew immediately that I loved it. The first three songs of that album are epic in their beauty. And I cannot speak of the raucously naughty lust of "How Deep is Your Love?". You'll have to listen for yourself.

Now, I'm completely hooked. This woman knows things, big things, about life and love, and she sings them incredibly well.

I love that musical serendipity that sometimes brings artists into your life at the exact moment that you need them.

This is how I've spent the past week.

Comments

[schpahky.livejournal.com]

The Guest introduced me to Jonatha Brooke through her live album and I, too, became totally obsessed. I got as far as Steady Pull, listened to it several million times, and just haven't worked my way through the back catalog. I even have The Story's An Angel in the House, but my ruts run too deep to listen to it more than once.

Have you listened to Jennifer Kimball at all?

[sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com]

I've not listened to any Jennifer Kimball. What would you recommend to start off with?

[schpahky.livejournal.com]

Jennifer Kimball is the other angelic voice in The Story, and she only has one album that I know of. It's called Veering from the Wave. The title track can make me cry at the drop of a hat. There's also a wonderful cover of Crowded House's, uh, you know, that song that goes, "Whenever I falll...at your feeeeet...."

She's a Boston native so we keep hearing about her down here. She keeps busy playing on the folk scene and is well known for her annual Christmas performance in Jesus Has Two Mommies.

[sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com]

I'll have to give her a listen. The title is captivating. Also -- Jesus Has Two Mommies sounds excellent. Who puts the show on?

Oh! Jonatha Brooke is playing in Boston on June 12th, so if you're around, you might check her out. Hopefully she'll give a NYC-area show soon, as I'd love to see her live.

[schpahky.livejournal.com]

Jesus Has Two Mommies is put on by a bunch of Boston folkies at the little Somerville Theater. It always gets picketed by people who find the very idea of Jesus being raised by lesbians offensive. I haven't yet been able to see it, but I'm determined to remedy that next winter.

I am totally looking into the June 12th concert, thanks for the tip!