Customer Reviews

Plumb

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I can't imagine how anyone at Amazon can make negative statements about Jonatha Brooke's voice on this album. He/she must have a secret crush on Jennifer Kimball to even dare to float that criticism in their review at the top of this page. Even a cursory listen will immediately display that this, Jonatha's first solo album, is much better than her releases with Jennifer Kimball in The Story. While those two Story CDs had their moments (largely due to Brooke's songwriting, voice, arrangements, guitar playing, etc), "Plumb" stands as empirical evidence that striking out on her own was the best thing Brooke ever did. Every song on this CD is outstanding, as opposed to the hit and miss of the Story CDs (especially "The Angel in the House", where some of the ideas didn't work). Jonatha has one of the great voices that I've heard.....she is in that catagory of singers (Bowie, Eno, Alanis come to mind) that use their tremendous vocal chops as another instrument in the mix, rather than just singing the songs. She provides backup vocals to herself on this CD, and they immediately cause one to ask "Jennifer who...?" This album shows Jonatha hit her songwriting stride with confidence. There's not a weak song here. In fact, I think this CD stands as the best thing she's ever done (though I'm looking forward to her new one in Feb. '04).

I have NO idea what the establishment critics are looking for these days other than carbon copy mediocrity, or the ability to shatter glass. If you haven't listened to Jonatha Brooke - you're missing out on one of the best, and perhaps most inventive, singer/songwriters ever. Her voice is unexpectedly agile and clear, and her lyrics are full of clever wit and honesty. And her guitar talent is no less capable and appealing. Jonatha is an artist who very tastefully defies convention on her own terms. I had the lucky chance to speak with her at a small venue in Philadelphia and told her that what intrigued me most about her music was that she used all of the notes and chords that none of the other mainstreamers did. She broke into a huge smile and thanked me for recognizing her efforts to literally do just that. Too bad the mainstream doesn't get it. If you have the chance to see her perform live - go go go go go go go go go go go. You'll immediately be back at Amazon.com buying every Jonatha Brooke CD you can get your hands on.

Did you ever come across an artist or their CD, and after letting their music and lyrics sink into you say, "Thank God I found this artist--where would I be if I didn't have this music to listen to?" I first heard Jonatha on VH1.com radio, liked her songs they played, and decided to explore what her CDs had to offer. I collected 10 Cent Wings and Steady Pull, but of all I enjoy Plumb the most. Jonatha's songwriting is just so masterful! Every lyric means so much--whatever you need it to mean to you...that is the sign of a true poet. I discover some new meaning in her songs on this CD every time I listen to it. I highly recommend it to anyone in need of soul searching/soul cleansing music.

Mr. Himes' review above couldn't be further from the actuality of Jonatha Brooke's talent. Fundamentally, her voice is among the most beautiful and resonant of any singer-songwriter working today, and it is her remarkable range that makes the unique and agile melodies of _Plumb_ possible. Yes, Jonatha's songwriting is equally stunning: her lyrics hold their own as poetry (moreso than later albums) and are buoyed by intricate musical arrangements created with her (now ex-)husband and producer Alain Mallet. Many of the songs evoke beautifully the longing and melancholy of failed relationships; others address such complicated subjects as divorce, war, rape, and the record industry. Contrary to what Mr. Himes suggests, however, there is little directly about the Story's breakup to be found here....

Jonatha Brooke's "Plumb" seems like no other, so original in conception and execution, bowing to no concern or preoccupation with commerical acceptance. While hitherto limiting her widespread acceptance from others who might appreciate an artist who writes and sings from the truth of her experience, she preserves the beauty of her unique gifts as an artist and songwriter ---- and a truly gifted one she is. No one can legislate taste, but to my ears this is one stunning tour de force of an artistic effort, everything from lyric to music to vocals to arrangements and accompaniment being carefully and thoughtfully integrated into an intelligent, passionate, and compelling experience. I think most people who have listened and reviewed her here understand this, and have responded to the 'authenticity' of her unique and original artistic vision. She is immensely gifted, and she uses her voice just as expressively and beautifully as an instrument of that vision. I don't think Jonatha can be easliy categorized as Folk, Pop, or any other easily definable label. Listen carefully, and you will hear all manner of influence and genre from Folk, Blues, Rhythm and Blues, Jazz ---- even Classical. Listen to "Paris," and hear how wonderfully and expressively she incorporates such diverse elements into the body and texture of the composition, never artificially adding in such influence in order to manufacture a sound. She is original and authentic, and while one may hear strains of other major talents and influences such as Joni Mitchell in her voice and arrangements, they remain influences, as Jonatha creates something unique, fresh, and entirely original with her art. And while her music, lyrics, singing, and playing all breathe with an unerring intelligence and originality, in the end it will be the raw and direct passion of her experience -- and the convincing expression of it through her 'art' -- that will compel your attention and hit you where the best art does ---- simultaneously, through the heart, the gut, and the mind. She is of and for all of these -- and for us -- and her gifts of expression for the universal experience of all who have lived and loved make her a first-rate artist of singular talent and ability. Look up all definitions of 'plumb' in a good dictionary, and see if the title of this CD does not truly represent what Jonatha Brooke has created here ---- plumbing the depths of emotion and experience as only the very best songwriters/poets can, returning with the gifts of perception, lyric, and melody. Speaking of melody, Jonatha has a prodigious gift of melody like no other, which reminds one of that same gift in Joni Mitchell, though Jonatha's is entirely unique and original. An artist of immense intelligence and lyric beauty. A treasure in need of being discovered.

I first heard Jonatha Brooke's talent (and beauriful voice) in a restaurant I was working in in Manhattan...

I remember when it began playing over the stereo system in the restaurant. I actually stopped and listened to "Is This All?" - from start to finish... - It stopped me dead in my tracks. Blew me away. I thought that this songwriter was extremely musically talented, and her voice sounded sweet, lyrical, nimble, and dead on for what the songs called for...

I had to find out immediately who this was, and what the name of the album was...

After listening to the whole CD, I thought Jonatha's blends of talents were simply gorgeous. I can't imagine a whole lot of other songstresses who could make the somewhat complex - yet at the same time beautiful - original melodies soar as Jonatha Brooke does on most of her songs...

Just listen to "Is This All?" from the "Plumb" album, and you'll see what I mean. But beyond that, the talent it takes to compose such a hauntingly beautiful song, arrange it, play the instruments, and sing it beautifully is proof enough to me that this is one talented lady. - Maybe she just has too much soul, and is too complex for some "I want my music all main-stream sounding and superficial" reviewers, but for my money, she's got what I want - more talent and soul than most of what's out there now...

This is one of my favorite CD's. Some of us never heard of The Story and became fans of Jonatha because of this CD. The Story has beautiful harmonies, but Jonatha alone has more feeling. Saw her in concert last year and she sounded great! "No Better" was the song I fell in love with and "Inconsolable" hits me every time. Yes, she sounds a lot like Shawn, but not quite as twangy. She's a great songwriter. One of those CD's you can listen to the entire thing--not just the good songs. They're all good.

As a "STORY" fan for awhile, I found this album to be a real treat. It is a wonderful blending of artful composing, dazzling performance and complex lyrics. Her outstanding trait is the ability to succinctly capture the emotive power of relationships (even if just a stare across a room). 'Made of Gold' is my favorite track.

We'd never heard of Jonatha Brooke when we saw her open for Natalie Merchant in England several years ago. My only complaint about this great CD is that it doesn't come close to capturing the amazing energy and vitality JB displays in live shows. If you get a chance, catch one of her gigs.

Soothing yet strong. Honest and clever lyrics. One of the best performers I have ever seen. Jonatha outshines Shawn Colvin and Jewel in every aspect. This particular record can be sad and melodic with balladlike tracks Inconsolable, Is This All, and Paris; it is moving and shaking with others such as Charming, No Better, and Nothing Sacred. Five stars for a first rate album without a bad song on it.