Ys PLEASE

The Joanna Newsom concert is, by far, the most incredible performance I've ever attended. She performed at the Howard Gilman Opera House with the Brooklyn Philharmonic tonight and the show was sold out hours after tickets went on sale early January. There were about 20 violinists, 2 cellists , a drummer, 4 different types of flutists, a xylophonist, 2 trumpeters and Michael Christie to conduct. IN ADDITION to the orchestra was Joanna's huge Lyon and Healy pedal harp that was at least 6 feet tall and 4 feet long, and her own 4 piece band which includes another drummer/vocalist, a banjo/brass/tambura player, and a violinist, also vocalist.

The first half of the concert was the performance of Newsom's 2006 album, Ys, a reflection of her life during one particular year. The songs are more than 10 minutes long, with "Only Skin" lasting a whopping 17. Ys is the first album Newsom wrote and composed with an orchestra and complex, long compositions and narratives in mind; she collaborated with Van Dyke Parks for orchestration. Not only was her voice beautifully unlike anything I've ever listened to, but being in her presence, watching her hands glide so fluidly over the harp strings was entrancing; for over 2 hours, I was completely lost in her performance and captured by such an enormous voice from Newsom's tiny body. She performed all 5 tracks of Ys with the orchestra, wonderfully, and resulted in several of my fellow surrounding audience members crying, especially during "Sawdust & Diamonds," when all members of the orchestra lowered their instruments to observe Newsom's intimate performance with only her voice and harp.

After a standing ovation from all 900-something audience members for the orchestra and Newsom's first half of the concert, and a brief intermission, Newsom and her band came back on stage with a change of clothes and continued the performance with some old and new songs. Among them were: "Balloons and Bridges," "The Book of Right On," "Inflammatory Writ," "Peach, Plum and Pear," "Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie," and 2 of which are without titles yet.

Her band then bowed and left the stage after the third standing ovation of the night, and Newsom performed another new untitled song with her Lyon and Healy. After the final standing ovation, Newsom returned for an encore performance of "Old Man Standing" with banjoist Kevin Barker.

Tonight was Newsom's final orchestral performance, forever, and last concert for a few years. I'm in love.

Beautiful waiting room of the Howard Gilman Opera House:
Joanna Newsom, so sososos pretty and witty and talented:
Michael Christie with the Brooklyn Philharmonic and Joanna Newsom:Dress change (Christopher Kane), water break and absolutely charming smile:
Currently Listening to (Can you guess?):
Emily - Joanna Newsom

Very Exciting News: Monday I'm taking Jasper to Little Marc's fitting because he's gonna be a model!!! What a star! Then Marc by Marc is Tuesday afternoon, Spice Girls Wednesday evening, Zac Posen Thursday afternoon and Marc Collection Friday night. I don't have enough time.