The very best perk of being exposed as a mega music aficionado, is getting to share in the music. On my side, I get to share my knowledge and finds. My friends keep me posted on what they've been experiencing or in most cases looking for. But the best perk of being a known music head is getting copies of albums saved for or sent to me. Six months ago, I was extremely fortunate to get my hands on Wilder Shores Of Love by Daniel Lefkowitz, Bed of Notions by Jocie Adams, Love is All Around by Twain, and David Wax Museum, Everything is Saved, all in one night!
I was at a Low Anthem show, which Lefkowitz was opening for, with an old school pal who was working that night. He had been saving me a copy of David Wax Museums newest and before the night was over, he had pulled some strings to have my hands full on the way out the door. I was in heaven! Dan Lefkowitz was great that night, so I was enthused to hear more. Twain (which then Low Anthem member Mat Davidson is the main force of) and Jocie Adams' albums were the biggest treat for me. This was the 4th time I had seen the Low Anthem (not to mention countless listens to their NPR podcasts), and by now I had met the members once or twice each. In the intimate setting the First Unitarian Church provided, I often found myself focused on the band members individually, and how they helped the band as a whole. So getting to hear their work outside of the band was right up my alley in this musical exercise.
Jocie Adam's disc was so exciting to me. We had talked previously about her growing as a singer, comparing the Newport Folk Festival 2009 & Newport 2010 shows (links to the podcasts), I had told her, you could really hear the growth between those recordings (her role in the band and as a vocalist).
So far, I had heard the Rhode Island local as a backing vocalist, and wailing away on 'Home I'll Never Be'. Also, during Low Anthem sets, she manned the crotales, dulcimer & hammer, clarinet, electric guitar, and pump organ. I really had no idea what to expect.
When I started listening to Bed of Notions I was floored. I obviously didn't know Jocie well enough, as I was very surprised by what I had heard. Just as Chris Martin of Spin was equally as surprised at SXSW: "But the stunning set's best moment came about halfway through, on "Home I'll Never Be," when [Jocie] Adams let loose an incredible rasping, twanging wail belied by her general waifishness"
It was the size again that was so intriguing to me. How could such voluminous sound come out of such a small being? Bed of Notions starts boldly with an older voice and older adult themed lyrics of the title track. The vocals seemed to be even bigger with the well laid arrangement of 'Chastity Let Down Your Golden Hair'. After several spins of the album, I began to locate the Jocie I met, she comes out most noticeably, in 'Mother's Words' featuring Dan Lefkowitz on the fiddle, Ken Woodward on Bass and Martha Guenther on backing vocals.
'Mother's Word' by Jocie Adams
Mother's Word - Bed of Notions by user5661019
Other highlights of the disc are the 'I'll Follow You Home Tonight' featuring Jocie on harmonica, the fablesque 'Mary Mary', and 'Take My Hand', which prominently features Robin Ryczek on Cello.
'Mary Mary' By Jocie Adams from WBUR studios
'Take My Hand' by Jocie Adams "FROM JOCIE'S CD RELEASE PARTY AT THE FIRE HOUSE PROVIDENCE 1/21/11"
Bed of Notions is certainly a departure from Jocie's work with the Low Anthem, but in a very good way. With her composer background, you can expect a complete sound rather than a band member grabbing an acoustic guitar and friends to make an album out of boredom. As says this album is "pretty darn special", so you'll need to pick up a copy for your own. Try CDbaby or iTunes to purchase now, or try to find her live this summer.
Jocie is playing this Saturday July 23rd at the Met, followed by more shows with the Low Anthem this summer & fall.
For more info check out: facebook.com/jocieadamsmusic and a well done article at thephoenix.com
Photo credits: Jocie - Dan McGurk
I was at a Low Anthem show, which Lefkowitz was opening for, with an old school pal who was working that night. He had been saving me a copy of David Wax Museums newest and before the night was over, he had pulled some strings to have my hands full on the way out the door. I was in heaven! Dan Lefkowitz was great that night, so I was enthused to hear more. Twain (which then Low Anthem member Mat Davidson is the main force of) and Jocie Adams' albums were the biggest treat for me. This was the 4th time I had seen the Low Anthem (not to mention countless listens to their NPR podcasts), and by now I had met the members once or twice each. In the intimate setting the First Unitarian Church provided, I often found myself focused on the band members individually, and how they helped the band as a whole. So getting to hear their work outside of the band was right up my alley in this musical exercise.
Jocie Adam's disc was so exciting to me. We had talked previously about her growing as a singer, comparing the Newport Folk Festival 2009 & Newport 2010 shows (links to the podcasts), I had told her, you could really hear the growth between those recordings (her role in the band and as a vocalist).
So far, I had heard the Rhode Island local as a backing vocalist, and wailing away on 'Home I'll Never Be'. Also, during Low Anthem sets, she manned the crotales, dulcimer & hammer, clarinet, electric guitar, and pump organ. I really had no idea what to expect.
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| Jocie Adams with the Low Anthem - |
It was the size again that was so intriguing to me. How could such voluminous sound come out of such a small being? Bed of Notions starts boldly with an older voice and older adult themed lyrics of the title track. The vocals seemed to be even bigger with the well laid arrangement of 'Chastity Let Down Your Golden Hair'. After several spins of the album, I began to locate the Jocie I met, she comes out most noticeably, in 'Mother's Words' featuring Dan Lefkowitz on the fiddle, Ken Woodward on Bass and Martha Guenther on backing vocals.
'Mother's Word' by Jocie Adams
Mother's Word - Bed of Notions by user5661019
Other highlights of the disc are the 'I'll Follow You Home Tonight' featuring Jocie on harmonica, the fablesque 'Mary Mary', and 'Take My Hand', which prominently features Robin Ryczek on Cello.
'Mary Mary' By Jocie Adams from WBUR studios
'Take My Hand' by Jocie Adams "FROM JOCIE'S CD RELEASE PARTY AT THE FIRE HOUSE PROVIDENCE 1/21/11"
Bed of Notions is certainly a departure from Jocie's work with the Low Anthem, but in a very good way. With her composer background, you can expect a complete sound rather than a band member grabbing an acoustic guitar and friends to make an album out of boredom. As says this album is "pretty darn special", so you'll need to pick up a copy for your own. Try CDbaby or iTunes to purchase now, or try to find her live this summer.
Jocie is playing this Saturday July 23rd at the Met, followed by more shows with the Low Anthem this summer & fall.
For more info check out: facebook.com/jocieadamsmusic and a well done article at thephoenix.com
Photo credits: Jocie - Dan McGurk
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