Media

Joanna Newsom: "'81" (Live on Jools Holland) (Video)

9:08 a.m. · May 5, 2010 · by Nick Neyland

The reviews for Joanna Newsom’s Have One On Me flooded the Internet upon the album’s release, although it feels like the record is so vast that people are still coming to terms with it. The singer is undertaking some rigorous promotional duties for the album, including a slot on Jools Holland’s show in the U.K. last night (May 4).

This version of “'81” from the album is presented by Newsom alone at her harp, perhaps a little nervous, but pulling off an affecting performance nonetheless. The occasionally echo-y sound of Holland’s studio is thankfully not a factor here, although what the other guests on the show—Hole, Ozzy Osbourne, Mumford and Sons—made of this is anyone’s guess.