Both Kakki and Marian told me to check out Jonatha Brooke Live which I
hesitated to do because her most recent album "Steady Pull" did not grab me.
Live, however, has been planted in my head and is growing like Jack's bean
stalk. I can't wait to get in my car and listen to it. Jonatha is like
Joni in that her chord structures are like the narratives of a good movie or
novel -- they are sound but unpredictable. She's got a lot of sus chords
and interesting dissonances not unlike Joni's music since they both use open
tunings. Jonatha is really a very good guitarist, and she employs a good
electrical guitarist to add some haunting embellishments like the Joan does,
but largely, Jonatha strikes me as being an original. I have never liked
live albums very much, but this one is very well recorded. I'm looking
forward to seeing her on Conan later on.
Marian, are tabs for Jonatha posted on the net? And is she using a pick or
her fingers? Her percussive style is very distinctive.
- Clark
