Joanna Newsom with the LA Phil, Walt Disney Concert Hall, November 9, 2007

Joanna Newsom took exception to an article describing her singing childlike. To me, her voice sounds like a mixture of Kate Bush and Billie Holiday–grown up indeed. On Friday, she played a concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall accompanied by the LA Philharmonic–very grown up indeed. This was the penultimate stop of her six show orchestral tour, one of which was in her tiny home town of Nevada City (pop. 3,000) near Sactown. Joining Newsom on stage were members of her Ys Street Band. Joanna performed the entire Ys album in order for the first half of the show. For the second half, Joanna changed her entire wardrobe (except footwear) and shed the Philharmonic to play selections from her previous album. She also performed “Colleen” from this year’s Joanna Newsom and the Ys Street Band EP, as well as a new untitled song nicknamed “Esme” (short for Esmeralda). Newsom played her beautiful pedal harp for all songs. And if you haven’t gotten the news by now, the LA Phil is killing it when paired with indie icons.

Setlist

First half (w/ Band & LA Philharmonic Orchestra):
1. Emily
2. Monkey and Bear
3. Sawdust and Diamonds (solo)
4. Only Skin
5. Cosmia

Intermission

Second Half (w/ Band only):
6. Bridges and Balloons
7. The Book of Right-On
8. Inflammatory Writ
9. Colleen
10. Peach, Plum, Pear
11. Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie
12. (New Untitled Song) (solo)

Encore:
13. Sadie (solo)