Joanna Newsom @ The BecksMusic Box

Sun 6th Mar, 2011 in Gig Reviews

There is an instant air of ambiguity that floats around a grand old harp standing majestically before its audience. Whether for its prehistoric nature or the complexity and beauty of its design, the harp is a king amongst men; even sharing the stage with something as profound as a Steinway Grand Piano. What could be a more worthy use for the mighty musical sword than for telling meandering tales under the command of Joanna Newsom?

Another balmy night under the corporate-skyline and another sold out show at the Becks Music Box saw the interesting six-piece outfit fill the stage, centred by the golden locks and shining presence of Ms Newsom. A fairly modest and humble being, she is shy and often lost for words yet contrasts this with deep artistic bravado, both musically and lyrically. Her band provided dynamic layers to accompany the complex and most often blind musical journeys woven through a stream of consciousness.

Within a few breaths of a song, Newsom has the ability to traverse whimsical ballads and stormy tales into jazzy blues riddled territory, across Americano plains and back in time for a little ragtime interlude, nicely tying it together with impressive cohesion. These musical sidesteps can be a complete surprise for the audience, making it difficult listening for some, but the band is there every step of the way, with note for note perfection making it feel right; shaping and defining the path with its perfect wrong turns.

The band consisted of a minimal percussionist / singer / musical director, two violinists who provided additional female vocal layers, a trombonist and a talented guitarist who played a series of guitars, basses mandolins and the stunning Bulgarian tambura which is a long-necked plucked lute. Meanwhile, Newsom jumped between the Steinway grand and harp; playing each effortlessly with tremendous talent. Her music in the live realm triumphed in breathtaking proportions. Recorded, Newsom is less impressive, her voice is sometimes abrasive and the passion and soul of her music and stories are only sketchily translated. But on the stage it’s a complete and wonderful picture.

Early highlight, Cosmia off LP Ys was a spine tingling moment and performed to perfection with all sounds on the track replicated live. But it was a tear stirring rendition of Peach Plum Pear performed in a completely different and beautiful manner that sent the crowd into raptures with an amazing solo on the tambura which built into an exhilarating bounce between the instrument and the harp. With no after-party except for some pleasant mellow tunes from RTRfm DJs; everyone left immensely happy on this occasion; a treat ever better live, Newsom was a definite prize of the festival.

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