Media

Joanna Newsom: "You And Me, Bess" and "81" (Live On Kimmel) (Video)

8:20 a.m. · August 12, 2010 · by Nick Neyland

The music of Joanna Newsom is never going to be an easy fit on the late night TV schedules, but Jimmy Kimmel’s show made an effort to ease her into unsuspecting viewers’ lives last night (Aug. 11). For some reason Kimmel’s producers chose to shoot this clip of “You and Me, Bess” from Have One On Me in black and white, perhaps striving to give it an old-timey feel, which is marred somewhat by the huge BUD LIGHT signs all over the stage.

But it would be churlish to complain when late night TV is taking a risk for a change, and while it’s difficult to tell how well this will improve Newsom’s chances of a mainstream crossover, we can turn to YouTube commenters for some fair and balanced views. “Honestly who the fuck plays the harp” and “What´s wrong with her speech and mouth?” are just two of the insightful remarks so far. For a clip of Newsom in color (and further dunderheaded YouTube comments), check out the solo rendition of “81” below.