From: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org (JMDL Digest) To: joni-digest@smoe.org Subject: JMDL Digest V2011 #503 Reply-To: joni@smoe.org Sender: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk Unsubscribe: mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe Website: http://jmdl.com JMDL Digest Wednesday, November 16 2011 Volume 2011 : Number 503 ========== TOPICS and authors in this Digest: -------- Re: 50 Words for Snow NJC [Catherine McKay ] Re: 50 Words for Snow NJC [Catherine McKay ] Amy Wadge & Julia Johnson NJC [azeemlondon@gmail.com] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2011 06:17:21 -0800 (PST) From: Catherine McKay Subject: Re: 50 Words for Snow NJC I've listened to the first two tracks on NPR's website and I like what I hear so far. I can relate to both Joni and Kate. Maybe it's being Canadian, since we're that much closer to England, or maybe it's my English grandmother, and one of my aunts who was constantly plying us with English things, but I feel very much at home in both worlds. I don't know if I'll be trying to sing along with this one or not, though! I never could sing that high, even when I was young, but I do prefer Kate's deeper voice and I'm amazed that she can still sing quite high, considering she's over 50. Betsy, maybe you can sing harmony! >________________________________ >From: Betsy Blue >To: gerard mclaughlin >Cc: "joni@smoe.org" >Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 8:22:08 AM >Subject: 50 Words for Snow NJC > >Gerard- So glad you're enjoying this! > >I tried to listen, but it didn't go well. I'm out of practice with Kate. She probably needs my full attention-no multitasking. >Another reason might be cultural. This album feels so British to me. I'm a California girl with Canadian prairie-people grandparents, so Joni feels very familiar to me. I did grow up on Kate and love her, though. > >Last reason-her voice. I can't sing along with that instrument! Maybe 20 years ago. How egotistical of me to not enjoy something unless I can hear myself in it. Ha! > >Betsy ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2011 07:00:20 -0800 (PST) From: Catherine McKay Subject: Re: 50 Words for Snow NJC Replying to my own email (yeesh), Kate's voice isn't all that high in these songs (or at least, most of them), but the melodies are tricky; not your standard pop stuff. It would take a bit of listening to figure these out. They sound more like art songs. They're very atmospheric and I can see how Gerard would think of this album as Kate's "Hejira." >________________________________ >From: Catherine McKay >To: Betsy Blue ; gerard mclaughlin >Cc: "joni@smoe.org" >Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 9:17:21 AM >Subject: Re: 50 Words for Snow NJC >[...] I don't know if I'll be trying to sing along >with this one or not, though! I never could sing that high, even when I was >young, but I do prefer Kate's deeper voice and I'm amazed that she can still >sing quite high, considering she's over 50. Betsy, maybe you can sing >harmony! ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2011 10:18:24 +0000 From: azeemlondon@gmail.com Subject: Amy Wadge & Julia Johnson NJC Reading Anita's post about Amy Wadge and Ed Sheeran stirred happy memories of the Kashmir Klub in London, where one of the many performers I saw was Amy Wadge. I remember her very positively as a dynamic singer and player with very good songs, and great between songs too. I'd no idea she was working with this young buck (about whom I'm yet to be convinced, fwiw), and I'm delighted that she's getting some richly deserved success. Which brings me to another Kashmir alumna, Julia Johnson. It's possible some of you remember her from the Kash, but she's pretty much under the radar, even here in the UK. The thing is, I think she's a genuinely *brilliant* songwriter, way, *way* ahead of nearly all of her contemporaries. Her lyrics are literate, intelligent, complex and emotional; her melodies and song structures are beautiful, sophisticated and memorable. Her piano playing is gorgeous. Her voice may not be to all tastes, being somewhat breathy, but I find it highly effective, and most touching. Julia's album is called I Am Not The Night, and it's just about my favourite this year. It's on iTunes and emusic; and there are a few clips on YouTube, including professionally made videos for Lullaby and Atlas, which would be a good place to start. If you're in the mood to hear a hugely gifted artist with her own unmistakable style and talent to burn (she was a teenaged schoolgirl when she started playing at the Kash, and her songs were staggeringly accomplished even then), go on, give her a go! And spread the word if you like what you hear. Azeem in London NP: Julia Johnson - Stepford Wife Sent from my iPhone ------------------------------ End of JMDL Digest V2011 #503 ***************************** ------- To post messages to the list, send to joni@smoe.org. Unsubscribe by clicking here: mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe -------