Few things earn musicians a tribute album. Experience in the field goes without saying; then there’s age or a certain prestige, and sometimes, regrettably, death or a similar misfortune. Joanna Newsom, while no newcomer, isn’t exactly an aged veteran in the music scene, having only recently overcome her “sounds like a fairy” phase with the release of her third full-length. And yet, despite being 28, healthy, and still working hard to break out of the elfin niche, Joanna Newsom will be honored by a tribute album, featuring covers by M. Ward, Billy Bragg, Owen Pallett, and a lot of other names who are a ways away from their own tribute comp.
Joanna Newsom isn’t just being narcissistic here; the proceeds from Versions of Joanna will be donated to Oxfam International, an amalgam of 14 aid organizations working “to end poverty and injustice” throughout the world. Current projects include aid for Haiti’s cholera situation and flood victims in Pakistan. I never pegged Newsom for a “We Are the World” type, but if it helps, more power to her and her harp.
Versions of Joanna is slated for digital release in December. Stay tuned for details!
Tracklisting:
01. Francesco Santocono - “81”
02. A Voice Heard on Baer Mountain - “Autumn”
03. Sarah Katheryn - “Baby Birch”
04. Joel Cathey - “Book of Right-On”
05. Guy Buttery - “Book of Right-On” [instrumental]
06. Josh Mann - “Bridges & Balloons”
07. Chris Leeds - “Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie”
08. Ian Cooke - “Colleen”
09. This Is Deer County - “Easy”
10. Doublewuzzy - “Flying a Kite”
11. Rosa Hinksman - “In California”
12. White Elephant Gift Exchange - “Inflammatory Writ”
13. Ian Cooke - “Monkey & Bear”
14. Billy Bragg - “On a Good Day”
15. Kristina Forrer - “On a Good Day”
16. Owen Pallett: “Peach, Plum, Pear”
17. M. Ward - “Sadie”
18. Ben Sollee - “Sawdust & Diamonds”
19. David Miele - “Soft as Chalk”
20. The Moscow Coup Attempt: “Sprout and the Bean”
21. Melissa Stylianou - “Swansea”
22. Jennifer Schmitt - “This Side of the Blue”
• Joanna Newsom: http://www.dragcity.com/artists/joanna-newsom
• Oxfam: http://www.oxfam.org
[Photo: Todd Cole]