FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Versions of Joanna: Artists Cover the Music of Joanna Newsom to Benefit Oxfam America
December 7, 2010 – Legendary punk/alt/folkie Billy Bragg joins M. Ward, Owen Pallett, Ben Sollee, Ian Cooke and 16 other artists from six countries contributing their cover versions of singer/songwriter/harpist Joanna Newsom’s music.
Billy Bragg lends his lo-fi, acoustic guitar cover of “On a Good Day”. Also included are two of the earliest Joanna Newsom covers; “Sadie” by M.Ward (She & Him, Monsters of Folk) and an updated mix of “Peach, Plum, Pear” by Owen Pallett, who has most recently been recording and touring with Arcade Fire. Cellist Ben Sollee, who just finished a cross-country “Ditch the Van” run of bicycle-only tour dates, renders a bluegrass version of the near 10 minute epic, “Sawdust & Diamonds”.
The diverse line-up features award-winning South African guitarist Guy Buttery playing a live instrumental version of “The Book of Right-On”, Australian punk Josh Mann of Paper Arms does a rocking “Bridges and Balloons”, Melissa Stylianou offers her soft jazz take of “Swansea”, and Denver-based prog/alt/rock/jazz sensation Ian Cooke delivers original arrangements on two of Newsom’s more complex pieces, “Colleen” and “Monkey & Bear”.
The compilation is a project to directly benefit Oxfam America (www.oxfamamerica.org) and their continuing work to assist the flood relief effort in Pakistan, which has been hit by the worst weather in decades, affecting some 20.5 million people. Oxfam has now reached more than 1.4 million people there with humanitarian aid, providing clean water, hygiene supplies and food.
“Oxfam America is thrilled to have such an excellent collection of music compiled to help our work in Pakistan. And to have the support of these artists, Drag City Records, and Joanna Newsom herself, makes the project all the more meaningful.” says Bob Ferguson, Oxfam’s Senior Advisor for Music Outreach. “We often say that ‘Oxfam believes music can change the world’. This album is proof of that”.
Independently produced and released, Versions of Joanna will be initially only available as a “Download for a Donation”, starting December 7th. For more information and to donate and download, please go to: www.versionsofjoanna.com
Cover artwork is donated by noted UK artist, Jamie Shaw www.ashriu.com
Versions of Joanna
21 artists from 6 countries covering the music of Joanna Newsom to benefit Oxfam America
01. Billy Bragg: "On a Good Day" http://www.billybragg.co.uk/
02. Josh Mann: "Bridges and Balloons" http://www.myspace.com/paperarms
03. M. Ward: "Sadie" http://mwardmusic.com/deluxe/
04. Ian Cooke: "Monkey & Bear" http://www.iancookemusic.com/
05. The Moscow Coup Attempt: "Sprout and the Bean" http://www.moscowcoupattempt.com/
06. Owen Pallett: "Peach, Plum, Pear" http://www.owenpalletteternal.com/
07. Joel Cathey: "Book of Right-On" http://music.joelcathey.com/
08. Melissa Stylianou: "Swansea" http://www.melissastylianou.com/
09. Ben Sollee: "Sawdust & Diamonds" http://bensollee.com/
10. Chris Leeds: "Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie" http://www.myspace.com/chrisleedssongs
11. This is Deer Country: "Easy" http://www.myspace.com/thisisdeercountry
12. Francesco Santocono: "'81"
13. Guy Buttery: "Book of Right-On"(Instrumental) http://www.guybuttery.co.za/
14. Ian Cooke: "Colleen" http://www.iancookemusic.com/
15. Jennifer Schmitt: "This Side of the Blue" http://www.youtube.com/parkdalian
16. Rosa Hinksman: "In California" http://www.myspace.com/rosafrancesca
17. A Voice Heard on Baer Mountain: "Autumn" http://baermountain.blogspot.com
18. White Elephant Gift Exchange: "Inflammatory Writ" http://whiteelephantgiftexchange.webs.com
19. David Miele: "Soft As Chalk" http://www.myspace.com/davidmiele
20. Sandhorse: "Flying a Kite" http://jntp.110mb.com
21. Sarah Katheryn: "Baby Birch" http://www.sarahkatheryn.com/
22. Kristina Forrer: "On a Good Day" http://fairrabbit.com/home.html
Mastered by Mike Sugar
http://www.mikesugarmusic.com
All Songs used by permission and copyright Joanna Newsom