I went to see Joanna Newsom at London’s Somerset House on Sunday. It was beautiful, and she was enchanting, but you probably already know that. As I’ve heard her ‘… and The Ys Street Band’ album, I was initially disappointed it was just her and a big harp (she moved to a big piano for a few songs) but that soon went away as soon as she began strumming the opening chords of ‘Bridges & Balloons’. A solo performance made it much more intimate, and it made everyone concentrate on her amazing harp skills and outstanding voice. I’ve never seen a crowd of 1,000+ people as quiet and transfixed on one person before.
It was also an excuse to test out my Zoom H2 digital recorder. I captured one of her new songs, and it sounds pretty lovely. It’s not perfect – there’s me adjusting the mic between my legs at the start, some wind, and the levels aren’t perfect, but it’s better than watching it on YouTube. The song itself is just beautiful; one of my favouries, and I can’t wait until she releases it. Download