Vanessa Carlton's Return: Nolita Fairytale

The last few years have been an uphill struggle for Vanessa Carlton. Despite the evident growth and gothic complexity of her sophomore album, Harmonium, which is one of the best albums of the new millenium and a far superior offering than her resoundingly impressive yet at times awkward debut Be Not Nobody, it appears her former 'employer' (i.e. record exec-types) failed to recognize the gem they had on their hands.

White Houses was a successful first and only single, after which the album was virtually dropped, failing to get even an official release here in the UK. No more singles, no more videos (despite the wealth of offerings to choose from on the album) and no proper tour. As someone who had eagerly awaited Carlton's second album, I couldn't quite believe that her label weren't even bothering to make sure it was stocked in, say, HMV Oxford St, one of the UK's largest record stores. Oh, and they didn't bother to update the website either, which of course gives a really great impression to anyone trying to find out about Vanessa - say, buy the album, see her live, etc.

To cut a long story short, Vanessa posted on her myspace blog that certain creative differences were the problem. Instead, the focus was to shift to her forthcoming third album. Well over a year past before the true possibility of this album started to surface online, largely thanks to Vanessa's dedication to her myspace blog. Jump a few more months and the first single, Nolita Fairytale, appears on her myspace, along with the below video of Vanessa with her new boss - hip-hop producer/entrepreneur, Irv Gotti.

So, the classical ballet dancer turned pianist has found her home on a hip-hop label - let's hope this won't follow the track of Hanson when a series of shifts and mergers left them on Def Jam. The result does, however, appear to be a resounding success. The album, Heroes and Thieves, is phenomenal - formal review to follow shortly.

But first I wanted to share this video with you. It features a live performance of Nolita Fairytale.



The video for Nolita Fairytale is also available for viewing on YouTube and it perfectly captures the song's mood and phrasing. Watch unicorns in Central Park and sidewalk chess pieces come to life under gigantic mushrooms as Vanessa Carlton leads us wondrously through her fairytale world, in New York's Nolita district.

Best line? "Take away my record deal/Go on I don't need it"

You tell 'em girl!

Joanna Newsom: Live at the Royal Albert Hall, September 28th, 2007

In one of London’s most prestigious and jaw-dropping venues, Joanna Newsom’s child-like voice echoed around the world-renowned domed room in a way that can only be described as mesmerising. With her band comprising an incredibly adept violinist, banjo player and timpani drummer, Joanna’s songs cascaded through the acoustics with heart-stopping clarity, reaching every corner of the breath-taking hall.

The songstress plucked and wailed in her characteristically soulful way through the whole of her latest album, ‘Ys’, plenty of its predecessor, ‘The Milk-Eyed Mender’, whilst also finding time to treat us to a new song and a traditional Scottish folk song. Support act The Moore Brothers provided beautiful harmonies on the latter, their voices melding perfectly with Joanna’s sentimental evocations.

This was undoubtedly one of the best performances I have ever witnessed. Whilst the fact that I was seated in the centre of the front row certainly helped (for once I could actually see at a gig, shocking!), I genuinely believe that even those crammed up into the rafters were as blown away as I was.

Joanna’s wide-eyed honesty, coupled with the sight of her tiny frame clasping the enormous harp she lugs everywhere with her – apparently even to her hotel room, given she recorded an entire EP in one – was captivating. Despite her rural Californian roots in the mining town of Nevada City, Joanna sounds more of Appalachian descent, given the folk-tinged medievalism of her music. There is a real sense of history and almost ‘Tuder-esque’ depth to her writing and lyricism that is astounding in someone so young. At twenty-five, Joanna Newsom has reached unprecedented levels of maturity in her songwriting, whilst her endearing appearance and miniature stature only add to her quaint and engaging air.

Staggering, confounding and dare I say it, life-altering, this was truly a career-defining performance that will convince all of the artsy sorts that I overheard saying ‘I’m only here because it’s the Albert Hall’, that this is a venue and level of accomplishment well and truly deserved.